124 



Appendices to Thirty -ninth Annual Report 



The herring fishing goes on practically the whole year round, but the 

 fishing season proper is from January to March, and in November and 

 December. By the close of the winter fishing 11,370 crans, value 

 £34,987, had been landed, compared with 23410 crans and £96,301 for 

 the corresponding period in 1919. At the end of the year the figures 

 were 22,972 crans, value £58,215, compared with 35,530 crans and 

 £130,801. The falling off took place principally at Kyle, which is the 

 chief herring fishing port of the district, but the landings were also less 

 at Snizort, Waternish and Dunvegan. 



No doubt the smaller catch of herrings, and to a certain extent also 

 of saithe and cod-fish, can be accounted for by the reduced fleet which 

 came from the East Coast. A number of these crews made a start late 

 in November. Fair results were obtained so far as quantity was con- 

 cerned, but prices were so low that many of them deemed it advisable 

 to lay their boats up, and about fifteen steam drifters were laid up at 

 Plockton, and several at other places. Local fishermen also had their 

 vessels lying idle at various times, because the high cost of gear and 

 the working expenses left an insufficiently remunerative margin. High 

 railway freights were also proving detrimental to successful fishing, for, 

 as one fisherman tersely put it, "These increases all come out of the 

 hold " ; meaning that when any extra expenses were put on the working 

 or marketing of the fish, so much less was the fish worth at the landing 

 port. 



The fleet operating from Kyle has a wide choice of fishing grounds, 

 and operations were carried on from Whiten Head and along the West 

 Coast to the Skye Lochs, as well as on the Stornoway grounds. Snizort 

 and Dunvegan grounds were not so productive as in the previous year, 

 and the falling off in the catch at these creeks was considerable. 



Advantage was not taken of the Government Guarantee Scheme, as 

 the curers have a good connection in the home markets. 



A shortage of gear is likely to be experienced' in the near future. 

 Owing to the high prevailing prices, fishermen have been unable to 

 replenish their stocks, and have been working with the old fishing gear. 

 Unless there is a reduction in the cost so that fishermen will be enabled 

 to buy new gear, the fishing industry is likely to suffer. 



No boats were built during the year, as fishermen were not inclined 

 to invest capital while the industry was so unsettled. 



Mackerel fishing shows an increase of 4281 cwts. and £2523 as com- 

 pared with the preceding year. Quantities of mackerel were landed at 

 Kyle by vessels prosecuting the herring fishing, while a few boats fishing 

 for mackerel from Portree had good results in October. 



In January a motor boat was wrecked at Stafiin, and during a severe 

 gale on the 15th November 2 motor boats were wrecked, 1 at Torridon 

 and the other at Loch Carron. The owners recovered the engines of the 

 latter vessels. A small sail boat was also lost, and the total loss on 

 vessels damaged amounted to £585. The damage to fishing gear was 

 not so extensive as in 1919. 



All who are interested in the industry are anxiously considering ways 

 and means whereby it may be carried on during the present year. 

 The herrings landed at Kyle are sent to the home markets, but if the 

 industry is not on a sound basis in other places, it is expected that this 

 district will suffer along with the Scottish industry in general. 



James W. Davidson, 



Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Kyle, 17^ January 1921. 



