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Part III.— Twenty -fifth Annual Report 



Kilbrennan Sound, the fishing being mostly off Davaar and in the mid- 

 channel of the Firth. In July it was mostly off Davaar and across to the 

 Arran coast, also off Carradale ; towards the end of the month and in 

 August it was mainly off Carradale and between Carradale and Arran ; 

 in September it was off Carradale and at Pirnmill, Arran ; in 

 October near Carradale, near Pirnmill, and on the south coast of 

 Arran ; in November all over Kilbrennan Sound, and especially off Carra- 

 dale and in Machrie Bay, and the same in December. The fishing closed 

 on 28th December, the aggregate being 32,906 crans, apportioned as 

 follows : — 



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

 7,534 ' 1,569 3,120| 2,620| 2,392 5,572 8,162 1,936 



In 1890 the quantity taken up to 31st May, and thus between 1st 

 January and 15th March, amounted to 12,499 crans. The note of the 

 Officer is: — "From 1st January to 15th March the herring fishing was 

 prosecuted by most of the seine-net crews of the district, and were fairly 

 successful and quality good." There is a little doubt as to whether or 

 not herrings from Islay are included. In June the fishing was prosecuted 

 off Davaar and Sanda and in the Sound, in the upper and lower reaches, 

 and on the south coast of Arran. In July also in the Sound and the 

 lower reaches, and most of the herrings were landed at Campbeltown. In 

 August most of the herrings were taken about Carradale and Skipness 

 but the fishing fell off; in September it was very poor, and most of the 

 boats left the district, fishing mostly about Ardlamont Point. In October 

 it revived, and considerable quantities were taken near Skipness and in 

 the upper parts of the Sound about Cour, and later about Carradale ; in 

 November the catches were got about Carradale, on the Arran coast, and 

 at Machrie Bay, but the fishing fell off towards the end of the month, and 

 in December very little was got, and that at Machrie Bay. The total for 

 the year was 25,453 crans, thus apportioned: — 



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

 12,499 1,157 3,527 156| 12 2,943| 5,053 105 



In 1891 the aggregate was 30,998 crans, and the quantity landed 

 before the end of May was the large one of 12,845 crans. The Officer's 

 note is that the fishing from the beginning of January to the middle of 

 February was " fairly good," and there is doubt as to whether all the 

 herrings came from the Clyde. The fishing at Islay was still going on at 

 the end of December, 1890, but on the other hand the Officer then noted 

 (27th December) that there was said to be "a great appearance" in 

 Kilbrennan Sound. In June the fishing was off Davaar, and south of it 

 off Sanda, and in the channel of the Firth ; also about Carradale and 

 Machrie Bay, but most herrings were landed at Campbeltown. In July, 

 while fishing still went on off Davaar, most were taken in Kilbrennan 

 Sound, near Carradale, and in Machrie Bay ; in August the fishing was off 

 Isle of Ross to Carradale and from Carradale to Loch Kanza. Very little 

 was caught in September, and then about Carradale, most of the boats 

 going to other districts. In October the fishing was near Carradale, 

 Machrie Bay, and south of the Sound. In November it was in Kilbrennan 

 Sound, but little was caught, and none were taken in December. The 

 quantities in the various months were as follows : — 



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

 12,845 4,119 9,976 2,408J 146 1,244| 359 — 



