of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



71 



For several years after this the fishing was under the average, and a 

 summary may be given of the productive period, 1879-1891. In these 

 thirteen years the lowest catch, in 1881, was 20,393 crans, and the 

 highest 43,609, in 1882, the average for the whole being 34,305 crans, 

 the aggregate catch in the period reaching a total of 445,960 crans. The 

 average catch in each of the months was as follows : — 



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

 5,592 2,554 6,706 4,806 3,383 4,853 4,124 2,285 



The most productive month was thus July, followed by October, 

 August, and November, there being a depression in September. July was 

 the best month in four years and the second best in other two ; August 

 was the best in one year and the second best in five years ; September 

 was the best in one year and the second best in one year ; October was the 

 best in one year and second best in three years ; November was the best 

 in three years and second best in one year; December was the best in two 

 years. Moreover, in the latter years of the period, from 1886 to 1890, 

 the best month was November or December. The explanation is 

 probably that on the whole the best catches are taken in the first part of 

 the season, when the shoals are passing up Kift>rennan Sound, and then 

 later when they are passing down. 



In the years 1892-1898 the fishing was much less productive, the 

 highest aggregate in any one year (1894) being 24,279 crans, and the 

 lowest, in 1893, being 14,141 crans, the average for the seven years being 

 19,335 crans. The average catch in each of the months was : — 



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

 3,147 3,450 5,919 2,651 1,568 1,259 545 797 



July was thus the most productive month, and after that June. In 

 five of the seven years July was the best month, and in the other two 

 June. The feature of these years was the preponderance of the catch in 

 the earlier months and the slenderness in the later months of the season. 

 Thus, the percentages of the yield in the three months, June-August, and 

 in the three months, October-December, as well as in the period up to 

 31st May, are shown for the two groups of years thus: — 



To end May. June-August. October-December. 

 1879-1891 ..16 41 33 



1892-1898 ..16 62 13 



It will be seen that the average catch in the lean years is greater in 

 June than it is in the productive years, and that for July is not much 

 less, while the greatest falling off is in the later months of the year. 



In 1892 the quantity taken up to 31st May was 2193 crans, apparently 

 from Kilbrennan Sound chiefly. In June the fishing was off Davaar 

 southwards and near Carradale • in July the same, and later in the month 

 between Isle of Ross and Davaar and near Carradale ; in August it was 

 off Carradale, up the Sound, and at Machrie Bay ; in September the fishing 

 fell off greatly ; in October it improved, the herrings being taken in the 

 upper reaches near Cour and Skipness ; in November it was prosecuted at 

 Machrie Bay and near Carradale, and the last were caught at Carradale 

 in the week ended 17th December, the aggregate for the season being 

 18,164 crans, as follows: — 



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

 2,193 2,817 9,156 2,005£ 37J 1,594 184 177 



