of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



75 



No lives were lost during the year, but the loss of and damage to 

 fishing boats and gear was greater than in 1917. 



There was an increase of 2 in the number of fishing boats built within 

 the limits of the district. 



In some instances a certain amount of difficulty was experienced in 

 getting proper crews to man the boats through men being in naval and 

 military service, but this difficulty was got over as far as possible by engag- 

 ing temporary assistance. 



Wm. Nisbet, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Glasgow, 7th February 1919. 



Greenock District. 



Compared with the returns of the previous year, the quantity and 

 value of fish (excluding shell-fish) landed in this district during 1918 

 show an increase of 14,202 cwts. in quantity and £33,733 in value. This 

 increase is chiefly attributable to the landings by steam trawlers and 

 herring fishing boats. 



In so far as the Means of Capture Returns are concerned, 5 steam 

 trawlers were sold to English owners during the year, but as these were 

 not removed from the register, the number at the credit of the district 

 remained the same as in 1917. 



Seven motor boats were added to the local fishing fleet. Of these, one 

 which was previously used as a pleasure yacht, 51 feet of keel, was pur- 

 chased by Aberdeen owners and converted into a fishing boat. The re- 

 maining 6 were of the second class, one being new, and the others being 

 either pleasure boats or fishing boats purchased from other districts. 

 The list of sailing boats registered in the district showed a decrease of two 

 second and one third class. 



A quite unusual feature was the landing of fish by steam trawlers on 

 Admiralty service in the Clyde and adjacent waters. When other duties 

 permitted,, a certain number of these vessels were employed in fishing and 

 landed their catches at Clyde ports, whence the fish were railed to Glasgow 

 and other markets for sale and distribution. 



As will be seen from the returns, the quantity and value of trawled fish 

 landed were considerable, and helped to augment supplies arriving from 

 other parts of the coast. 



Although the quantity of herrings landed was greater than in 1917, 

 which was an exceptionally poor year, it could not be said that the results 

 were very satisfatory. Herrings were scarce in local waters throughout 

 the year, and a good proportion of those which were landed were caught 

 in other dstricts. Generally speaking, the herrings were of a small size, 

 and were disposed of in a fresh state, chiefly in Glasgow and the southern 

 markets. The average price realised by the fishermen was 58s. per cran, 

 as compared with 79s. in the preceding year. 



Mackerel were less plentiful than in 1917, the average price being 23s. 

 per cwt. as against 12s. lOd. in the previous year. They were chiefly sent 

 to the English markets in a fresh condition. Considerable quantities of 

 herrings and mackerel from other Clyde districts were landed at Wemyss 

 Bay, Fairlie, and Ardrossan by regular trading and herring-carrying 

 steamers for despatch by rail to the different markets. 



The results of the net and line fishing for white fish by motor and sail 

 boats were rather better than in the preceding year. The total catch 

 amounted to 1495 cwts. valued at £3688, as compared with 1185 cwts. 



