of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



69 



herrings were found in great abundance in Kilbrennan Sound in spring 

 and summer. In June the fishing was not very successful; the grounds 

 were in the mid-channel of the Clyde and from Sanda Island to 

 Carradale, and it is noted that herrings were scarce in the Sound ; later in 

 the month they were get from Campbeltown to Carradale and at Cour 

 Bay. In the early part of July they were caught near Sanda, in the 

 channel of the Clyde, and in the Sound ; about the middle of the month, 

 chiefly in the Sound, from Campbeltown to Carradale, and near Cour 

 and Skipness. In August the fishing was on both sides of the Sound, 

 from Skipness to Carradale, and principally between Cour and Carradale ; 

 in September Carradale, Machrie Bay, and Cour were the chief localities, 

 and at the end of the month between Carradale and Arran. In October 

 the fishing was mostly near Carradale and in the lower reaches of the 

 Sound, and at the end of the month near Brown Head, Arran, and 

 southwards. In November it was also mainly in the lower reaches, at 

 Machrie Bay, and then between Isle Ross and Carradale. In the early 

 part of December it extended from Isle Ross to Crossaig and near Arran ; 

 then (week ended lUth) between Isle Ross and Davaar, and the lower 

 reaches near Arran, and the fishing closed on the 24th December at 

 Machrie Bay. The aggregate was thus apportioned : — 



To end May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

 6,210 1,263 4,470^ 3,330| 10,173 3,306 10,669 4,113 



The quantity taken in 1888 up to the end of May was very large, 

 viz., 10,884 crans. The Officer notes that the fishing was very success- 

 ful in January and February, while from March to the end of May the 

 catch was small. There is, however, some doubt as to whether the 

 whole of the herrings were taken in the Clyde area, for the fishing at 

 Islay had started in 1886, and was very successful in 1888, and it is 

 possible that some of the herrings were taken there, but there is no 

 information bearing on the point. In June the fishing was at Davaar 

 and Sanda, and also at Campbeltown and Carradale, and it was not very 

 successful. In July it was at first in Campbeltown Loch, the Clyde 

 channel, and Kilbrennan Sound, and later all over the Sound and north 

 of Carradale; in August the grounds were between Carradale and 

 Saddell, and on the Arran coast ; in September chiefly at Cour, Machrie 

 Bay, and from Cour to Carradale; in October near Carradale and 

 on the Arran coast, off Brown Head, and the lower reaches, and towards 

 the end of the month at Isle Ros3 and Saddell ; in November the fishing 

 was in the lower reaches, and later near Skipness, Carradale, and Machrie 

 Bay ; in December it was near Campbeltown, Carradale, and on the 

 south coast of Arran, and the season closed on the 29th December. The 

 total for the year was 41,369 crans, apportioned as follows: — 



To end May. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

 10,890 704 4,690 6,349 2,279^ 4,702f 5,012 6,742 



In 1888 an association, known as the Fishermen's Association, was 

 formed by the fishermen of Inveraray, Campbeltown, and Rothesay 

 districts, mainly with the object of sending their herrings by steamers 

 chartered by themselves to the Glasgow market, but they also fixed a 

 voluntary close- time to be binding on members from 15 th March to 31st 

 May. In 1889, accordingly, the 7534 crans taken before the 31st May 

 were caught between 1st January and 15th March, and apparently all 

 within the Clyde area. In June comparctively little was got in 



