270 



Appendices to Twenty-fifth Annual Report 



Mucker©! On the other hand, the mackerel fishing, which commenced about the 



FUhing. middle of August and continued until nearly the end of October, was 

 attended with better results than in any vear since this fishing first com- 

 menced in the district. 



The fleet which participated in the fishing numbered 52. Of these, 24 

 boats were fully equipped with mackerel nets, the others being equipped 

 partly with herring and partly with mackerel nets. 



The most prolific fishing grounds were between the islands of Croulin 

 and Raasay, and off the coast of Applecross, and fish were fairly plentiful 

 in these waters throughout the season. 



At the beginning of the season the quality was rather inferior, and the 

 average price realised during August only amounted to 10s. per cran. 

 As the season advanced, however, the quality steadily improved, and 

 prices rose accordingly. The quality during November was excellent, 

 and the fish realised an average price of 67s. 6d. per cran. 



The fish were landed principally at Portree and Kyle-of-Lochalsh, 

 where they were sold by auction, and, with the exception of 85 barrels 

 which were cured for America, consigned to the southern markets in a 

 fresh state. 



The season's results show an improvement over the figures of 1905 

 to the extent of 4985 cwts. in the quantity, and £2165 in value. 

 Had the whole fleet been fully equipped with suitable nets there is no 

 doubt that the results would have been much better. 



The autumn herring fishing was a complete failure. The results are 

 certainly the poorest on record, and the oldest fishermen in the district do 

 not remember having experienced such a barren year. The total catch 

 for the last three months of the year only amounted to 126 craus. 



As a rule, this fishing is pretty much neglected in this district, but, 

 owing to the failure of the herring fishing throughout the year, it received 

 a little more attention thau usual, and the results are better than those of 

 the past few years. 



Shell Fisheries. Of the shell-fish fishings, that for lobsters is the most important. It is, 

 prosecuted throughout the year by fishermen belonging to the west of 

 Skye and those residing in the vicinity of Portree, and, to a greater or 

 less extent, from nearly all the creeks in tlie district. The results for the 

 year are very satisfactory, being well above the average. 



On the other hand, whelk gathering shows a considerable falling-off. 

 During the year three lobster fishermen belonging to Fernamore lost 

 their lives owing to the capsizing of their boat in Loch Torridon. 



Autumn 

 Herring 

 Fishing. 



Line Fishing. 



Casualties. 



Broadford, Skye, January 1907 



A. J . Munro, 



Fishery Officer 



Fort- William District. 



General 

 Remark*. 



Means of 

 Capture. 



Herring 

 Fishing. 



The principal features revealed by a comparison of the year's results 

 with those of 1905 are the recurring failure of the herring fishing in 

 this district and the continued prosperity of the great-line fishing at 

 Mallaig. Total results show a decrease of 5699 cwts., while herrings are 

 responsible for 4566 cwts. of this deficit. 



There is no material change in the figures relating to means of capture. 

 Nets for the taking of cod are coming more into favour. 



As already indicated, the failure of the herring fishing was complete. 

 During the latter months of the year— usually the recognised time for 

 this fishing — no herrings were landed at Mallaig, a very exceptional 



