of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



131 



when 7258 crans were recorded. The fishing grounds were then located 

 in the Kyles of Bute. Consequent on the appearance of shoals of 

 herrings in Loch Fyne at the latter end of the year, the local fleet pro- 

 ceeded to that area to prosecute the fishing. The Kyles of Bute grounds 

 were thus neglected, except by a few sail boats, and the results justified 

 the fishermen's action. The herrings in Loch Fyne were plentiful, of 

 good quality, and met a ready market. Had the fishing been carried 

 on at the same time in the Kyles of Bute the herrings from these 

 waters, which are usually of very inferior quality, would have proved 

 unmarketable. 



The total quantity and value of herrings landed for the year were 

 14,456 crans and £19,417, as compared with 31.297 crans and £64,981 

 in the previous year. The average price per cran works out at 26s. lid. 

 as against 41s. 6d. in 1919. With the exception of the herrings landed 

 during the closing months of the year, the quality of the catches was far 

 from satisfactory. 



The mackerel fishing was practically a failure, and the totals for the 

 year show decreases of 981 cwts. and £833 from the figures of 1919, 

 which was reckoned a poor year. As in the case off herrings, Glasgow 

 and the Midlands of England were the chief markets to which mackerel 

 were consigned. The most productive grounds were those in the vicinity 

 of Kilchattan, and in Lochs Long and G-oil. 



Apart from herrings and mackerel, cod and codling, saith, and 

 conger eels were the principal kinds of fish taken. The total landings of 

 white fish amounted to 4335 cwts. valued at £6152, showing decreases 

 of 2003 cwts. and £3522 from the returns for the previous year. As the 

 decrease in value for 1919 as compared with 1918 was £4801, this further 

 decrease of £3522 shows a remarkable decline in this branch of the 

 fisheries. Every year makes it more evident that the local fishermen 

 are devoting almost their whole time to the prosecution of the herring 

 fishing, and neglecting the other branches of the industry. No doubt 

 the fishermen have found it more profitable to do so. 



Each creek contributed its quota to the landings, but the principal 

 places were Rothesay, Kyles-of-Bute, Dunoon, Lochranza and Lamlash. 

 The greater part of the catch was consigned to the Glasgow market, and 

 the remainder was sold locally. 



Small-line fishing received little attention, and that only from the 

 smaller sailing craft of the district. The landings were small, but the 

 prices obtained were on the average quite remunerative. 



A few of the motor skills belonging to Rothesay and the Kyles-of- 

 Bute engaged in great-line fishing during the months of February. March 

 and April. The fishing grounds were to the South-East of Bute, in Loch 

 Long, and in the Gareloch. The results obtained were fairly satisfactory 

 as regards both quantity and value. The fleet was not as large as in 

 the previous year. 



The average prices per cwt. for the various kinds of fish landed for 

 1920 and 1919 were as follows :— 



Cod and Codling 

 Saith 



Conger Eels . 

 Flounders and Plaice 



1920. 1919. 



s. d. s. d. 



31 11 40 6 



16 2 18 2 



20 7 27 1 



77 5 80 4 



The shell-fish fisheries of the district are unimportant, and fully 60 

 per cent, of the value derived therefrom was referable to mussels and 



