of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



133 



number of lobsters taken was almost double that of the previous year, 

 and there was a corresponding increase in the value. 



The quantity of herrings cured gutted exceeded that of the preceding 

 year, but the quality of the herrings taken in the Clyde area did not 

 permit of the regular carrying on of this branch of the industry. There 

 was also an increase in the quantity of herrings kippered by local curers. 



With regard to the curing of other kinds of fish very little was done. 

 A few tons of cod, ling and saith imported in a well-salted state were 

 cured dried in the district. 



The exports of cured herrings, cod-fish, etc. slightly exceeded those 

 of last year, and were considerably greater than those of the previous 

 few years. America, Canada and Ireland were the countries to which 

 the bulk of the cured herrings were exported, whilst Spain, Australia 

 and the West Indies received most of the cured cod-fish. 



Only 1 motor fishing vessel was constructed within the district 

 during 1920. 



Apart from the usual "wear and tear," no loss of or damage to 

 fishing gear or vessels was sustained by local crews. 



John Lawson, 

 Fishery Officer. 



Fishery Office, 

 Glasgow, 10^ February 1921. 



Ballantrae District. 



With the return to more normal conditions, the extremely high prices 

 for fish resulting from the war gradually settled during the year 1920 to 

 a more reasonable level, but the capital cost and expenses of upkeep of 

 boats and gear did not recede at all in proportion, and consequently 

 the prosperous times recently enjoyed by fishermen have well-nigh 

 vanished. Nevertheless, all branches of the fisheries in this district 

 were actively pursued with varying success throughout the year. 

 Perhaps the oustanding event of the year's operations was the failure of 

 a promising effort by a private Company to develop Stranraer as a 

 trawling port, as noticed in last year's report. The Company acquired 

 two large steam trawlers, which fished from the port with indifferent 

 success from January to May, when it was decided to transfer the 

 vessels to Fleetwood, evidently owing to disappointing financial results 

 and other difficulties. 



An increase of 9 motor boats during the year brings the number on 

 the register to 106. A few crews had their engines replaced by new 

 and more powerful installations. 



Fishermen on the Ayrshire coast of this district devote most of their 

 time to herring fishing, and, in fact, some pursue no other fishing, but 

 follow the shoals to all parts of the Clyde area. The district has, how- 

 ever, a special season, when fishermen from the other Clyde districts 

 participate in fishing in local waters. This season opens at Stranraer 

 early in the year, when herrings are expected to congregate in Loch 

 Ryan. The herrings taken are in demand on the English markets, 

 perhaps in preference to all others at that season of the year. During 

 the year under review a fair fleet, although not so large as that of some 

 previous seasons, gathered at Stranraer early in January, but, owing to 

 the very unpropitious weather which prevailed, results were poor indeed, 

 and the season's total did not amount to what would have been a 

 moderate week's catch for the fleet operating. 



