of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



71 



steam liners at Mallaig practically throughout the whole year, and by a 

 number of Fraserburgh motor boats at Oban during the spring and 

 summer months. 



The Mallaig fleet operated from Loch Laxford to Rhu Re, in Loch 

 Dun vegan, and from Ardnamurchan Point to Canna. The Oban fleet 

 operated chiefly from the south coast of Mull to near Gigha. Eels, skate, 

 cod, ling, and dogfish were the principal kinds of fish landed. Prices 

 for all kinds ruled high during the spring months, but fell to a rather 

 low figure during the summer months owing to the heavy supplies of 

 herrings sent to the markets from the East Coast ports, and excessively 

 hot weather. Individual shots ranged up to £550, and the best fished 

 liner earned about £6000. The great line fishing during the last two 

 months of the year was unremunerative. Fish of all kinds were found 

 scarce, the grounds worked on showing signs of depletion, no doubt 

 owing to continuous fishing over restricted areas. 



Small line fishing was not prosecuted to any extent, but the few 

 crews engaged in this branch of the fisheries made remunerative earnings. 



Lobster fishing resulted in a catch of 17,212 lobsters valued at £1145, 

 a decrease of 8581 lobsters and £358 compared with the results of the 

 previous year. Unclassified shell-fish show an increase of £164. 



The bulk of the fish landed was despatched, in a fresh state chiefly, 

 to the principal English and Scottish centres. 



Fish merchants who carried on business in the district had a profitable 

 season. 



It is regrettable that, notwithstanding the great success of the fisheries, 

 only a few of the district fishermen reaped much benefit. 



The earnings of local crews were on a much more moderate scale than 

 those of their East Coast neighbours. The district boats are of a medium 

 and small size, and therefore were unable to participate fully in the great 

 success of the herring fishing. 



There was no loss of life among the local fishermen, but the loss of 

 an East Coast steam drifter off the island of Rum through the action 

 of a German submarine, by which 2 of the crew lost their lives, has 

 to be recorded. 



James Young, 

 Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Oban, lUh January 1919. 



Campbeltown District. 



The total landings of all kinds of fish in the district were 89,546 cwts., 

 valued at £132,478, as compared with 98,894 cwts. and £136,407 in 1917. 



In the means of capture there is a slight decrease in the number of 

 boats employed and also in the quantity of fishing material. In the 

 value of both, however, there is a considerable increase. None of the 

 motor fleet was requisitioned by the Admiralty either for mine sweeping 

 or patrol duty, as the craft, owing to their small size, were unsuitable for 

 this work. 



Throughout the year there was a big demand for boats and fishing 

 material from practically all parts of the Firth of Clyde and North-West 

 Highland creeks — with the result that the transactions which took place 

 showed large increases over pre-war prices. Towards the close of the 

 year boat -builders were approached with a view to booking orders, but 

 owing to the high cost of material and the uncertainty as to the cost of 

 labour no contracts were entered into. 



