of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



125 



Fort-William District. 



Although the fisheries of Fort-William district during the year 1920 

 were attended with fairly good results, the aggregate landings show 

 decreases as compared with those of the preceding year of 98,882 cwts. 

 in quantity and of £222,120 in value, apart from shell-fish, which show a 

 decrease in value of £968. It may be remarked that owing to war con- 

 ditions the results of the fisheries of Fort-William district during the 

 years 1917 to 1919 were abnormal. 



In the means of capture returns there is a reduction of 20 boats. 

 One first class motor boat, 3 second class, and 2 sail boats were added to 

 the registry, while 2 of the existing sail boats had motors installed. It 

 is regrettable that the district boats are showing a gradual diminution, 

 although the bulk of them are of little value as regards catching power, 

 and the bulk of the fish is landed by East Coast boats. 



The winter herring fishing commenced during the first week of 

 January at Mallaig and Oban, and was carried on with fair success 

 despite adverse weather conditions. Motor boats suffered to some 

 extent on account of stormy weather, but steam-drifters worked with 

 remarkable regularity. The Mallaig fleet worked chiefly on Coll Bank, 

 off Ushinish, and on the Stornoway fishing grounds, while the Oban 

 fleet operated on Coll Bank and made regular trips to the Irish Coast. 

 The total fleet engaged comprised 70 steam-drifters and 30 motor boats. 

 The quality of the herrings landed was good. The Irish herrings, how- 

 ever, although large and of superior appearance, did not carry well to 

 the English markets, and in many cases were condemned, with the 

 result that fish merchants suffered severe losses. 



Unfortunately about the end of February the fishing collapsed. 

 Heavy supplies of Norwegian herrings arrived at Hull, with the result that 

 a slump in prices occurred, and on account of the low prices ruling and 

 the heavy cost of fuel and gear, the bulk of the boats ceased fishing. 

 The suspension of fishing operations by the Scottish fleet has to be 

 deplored, as it left practically a free market for the Norwegian supplies. 

 Prices ranged from £4, 18s. down to as low as 10s. and 7s. 6d. per cran, 

 averaging for the season £3, Is. 4d. per cran, against £4, 4s. 9d. last 

 year. The season closed with a total of 41,008 crans valued at £125,708, 

 or 13,312 crans and £104,733 less than in the previous year. Mallaig 

 accounted for 27,186 crans of the catch valued at £84,946, and Oban for 

 13,803 crans valued at £40,718. 



The bulk of the white fish supplies was landed during the months 

 from January to May inclusive. The fleet consisted of a few steam and 

 motor liners from Fraserburgh and Banff districts. The boats landing 

 at Oban worked chiefly from Barra Head to the Mull of Kintyre, and 

 the boats landing at Mallaig worked from Barra Head to Skye and off 

 Stoer Head. Good shots in which eels and roker predominated, but 

 including also cod, ling and halibut, were obtained. Earnings ranged 

 from £500 to £1000. Results for the year show a total of 34,707 cwts., 

 valued at £42,199, being less than those for the previous year by 11,188 

 cwts. and £48,136. This decrease may be accounted for by the smaller 

 number of boats at work during 1920. 



The summer herring fishing commenced about the middle of April. 

 The fleet reached its maximum strength about the middle of May, when 

 141 boats were engaged. The Mallaig fleet operated chiefly off Barra 

 Head, Ushinish Point, and on Coll Bank, while the Oban fleet operated 

 chiefly off Barra Head, Skerryvore, Loch Swilly, and on Coll Bank. 

 Most of the motor boats made Mallaig their headquarters, while the 

 speediest steam drifters were based on Oban. The fishing was rather 



