of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



63 



The most productive period was thus 1882 to 1891, but an examination 

 of the table showing the annual yield (p. 118), or the diagram of the same, 

 shows that there were two great periods of abundance, viz., from 1879 to 

 1891, and from 1899 to 1903. The extent of the fluctuations in the 

 annual yield was from 1732 crans in 1868 to 43,609 crans in 1882 and 

 43,535 crans in 1887. The catch in 1906 (11,070 crans) was the 

 lowest since 1878. 



The great area of fishing in the Campbeltown district is the Sound of 

 Kilbrennan, an arm of the sea extending between the island of Arran 

 and the peninsula of Kintyre, in a north and south direction, and having 

 deep water— at some places over 80 fathoms. At the north end it opens 

 into the area called the Inchmarnock waters, between Bute, Arran, and 

 the mouth of Loch Fyne. It is up this stretch of water that the shoals 

 of herrings often pass to the higher reaches, as Loch Fyne ; but it would 

 be wrong to consider the Sound merely as a passage-way to the 

 northern waters, because dense shoals of herrings may be found in it 

 throughout most of the year. 



In the early years for which statistics exist the fishing in the district 

 was comparatively poor. Thus for the years 1863-1868 the annual 

 average was only 2192 crans, the highest yield being 2851 crans, in 

 1864. Particulars as to the place of fishing in those years are scanty, 

 but it appears that the fishing was carried on chiefly in the neighbourhood 

 of Campbeltown, and almost exclusively there in the early part of each 

 season, the grounds extending to the south end of Arran. As the season 

 advanced herrings were also taken up the Sound in the vicinity of 

 Carradale, but by no means the bulk of the catch, and it is evident that 

 in none of the years did a large body of herrings make its way up Kil- 

 brennan Sound, or at least form the object of fishing there. Seining 

 began in 1.867, but it was not effective. 



In 1869 and 1870 the catch was considerably greater, but it fell a 

 little in 1871. The average for the three years was 7006 crans. In 

 June, 1869, contrary to what occurred in the preceding years, most of 

 the herrings were got near Carradale, or landed there, and there was 

 said to be a good fishing all tin way from Campbeltown to Skipness at 

 the north end of the Sound. Thus in June, 1868, 214 crans were landed 

 at Campbeltown and 139 crans at Carradale, while in June, 1869, there 

 were 410 crans landed at Campbeltown and 695 at Carradale, about ten 

 miles farther up the Sound. During the rest of the summer the shoals 

 were chiefly about Carradale, and the drift-net was much more successful 

 than the seine. The fishing closed on 9th October, the boats leaving for 

 Greenock district. The total for the year was 7446 crans. 



In 1870, the principal grounds were again about Carradale, and 

 between it and the Arran coast, and drift-nets were chiefly used. At the 

 end of September most of the boats were fishing at Loch Ranza, at the 

 north end of Arran, the shoals having apparently " moved up towards 

 Bute." During the rest of the year the fishing continued in this locality 

 and also about Carradale. The fishing closed on 19th November, the 

 total for the year being 8509 crans. 



In 1871, by far the greater part of the herrings taken in June were 

 caught in the vicinity of Campbeltown. On the 8th July, it is remarked 

 that there was not much " appearance " of herrings near Campbeltown, 

 but there was said to be a great body of herrings down at the Mull of 

 Kintyre. During July, August, and September the best fishing 

 was got about Carradale, and also in October, extending up to 

 Skipness. The fishing closed on 21st October, the aggregate being 

 5063 crans. 



