of the Fishery Board for Scotland, 



73 



Inveraray District 



Although the returns of fish landed in the district show a decrease of 

 2200 cwts. in quantity as compared with the figures of the preceding year, 

 in value there is an increase of £2632. 



The landings of fish in the district, however, give no indication of the 

 true results obtained by the fishermen, as during the greater part of the 

 year operations were conducted in the waters of the neighbouring dis- 

 tricts with a large measure of success. 



In the Means of Capture Keturns there is a marked falling off — chiefly 

 in second- and third-class boats. Many have become old and useless for 

 fishing and have been removed from the register. During the year under 

 review 4 sailing boats have been fitted with motors. 



With few exceptions the herring fleet is now propelled by motor power, 

 with the result that, full advantage is taken of the shoals of herrings which 

 strike in upon the coasts of the neighbouring districts. In recent years, 

 and particularly during the period of hostilities, the herring fishing claimed 

 the attention of the fishermen practically all the year round — no doubt 

 owing to the high prices obtained for the fish. 



Early in February the fleet proceeded to the herring fishing on the 

 Ayrshire coast. The success of their efforts in that direction was most 

 gratifying. The earnings of half a dozen pairs of seiners for the few 

 weeks they were employed ranged from £1000 to £1800, while the remainder 

 of the fleet earned from £250 to £900. 



Throughout the spring and summer months attention was directed 

 to the home waters, where several of the most enterprising crews were 

 rewarded with good catches. In autumn the fishermen were reporting 

 large bodies of immature herrings in the vicinity of Skipness Point. 

 Gradually the shoals moved into Lochfyne. So large a body of fish had 

 not been seen in Lochfyne for a period of twenty years. Unfortunately 

 the fish were of small size, running from 1500 to 2000 to the cran. In 

 November the main body of the shoal entered the Kyles of Bute. Opera- 

 tions in this direction, owing to the sheltered waters, were carried on 

 under all conditions of weather, and some heavy hauls were secured. 

 For practically two months the fishermen of the district enjoyed a lucrative 

 fishing, and notwithstanding the poor quality of the fish there was on 

 several occasions a brisk demand at from 5s. to 10s. per quarter cran basket. 

 In pre-war times the same class of fish would barely have realised sufficient 

 to meet the cost of carriage. Large quantities of these small herrings, 

 it was reported, were despatched to the southern markets and used for 

 tinning purposes. 



Upwards of 300 barrels were cured for consumption in the district. 

 The rate for gutting and packing was 4s. per barrel, which in view of the 

 size of fish and the time occupied in their preparation was not considered 

 excessive. 



Although the shoals of mackerel in Lochfyne were not so plentiful as 

 in 1917, the fish were of large size, rich in quality, and in good demand. 

 The results as compared with those of the previous year show a decrease of 

 6485 cwts. in quantity and £2780 in value. Unsuitable winds and weather 

 greatly interfered with the success of this fishing. The whole of the catch 

 was despatched to the markets in a fresh state. 



In the shell-fisheries of the district there is an increase of £284 

 in value as compared with the preceding year. Lobster fishing was 

 confined to the western seaboard of the district, and notwithstanding 

 that fewer boats and men were employed the catch shows an increase of 

 1700 fish. 



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