of the Fisher j Board for Scotland. 8 3 



herrings were also taken between Kilfman and Maol Dubh, in the lower 

 loch, and near Tarbert. At the end of the month it was reported that 

 there was an abundance of very small herrings between Otter Ferry and 

 Crarae. In July the fishing was at the mouth of Loch Fyne, and as 

 many mackerel as herrings were taken. In August only 917 crans were 

 landed, some of which were got at and near Skipness, but apparently the 

 greater proportion in Kilbrennan Sound. In September, and until the 

 close of the season, the boats fished mostly at the mouth of the loch and 

 in Kilbrennan Sound; in November a few crans of very small herrings 

 were caught at Inverneih 



The aggregate for 1875 was much better, reaching 13,546 crans, of 

 which 102 were obtained in the upper loch. In January ten crans were 

 landed, all caught in the upper loch, near Minard, and they were very small 

 fish, running from 1600 to 2000 to a cran. The catch in June was very 

 small, only 650 crans, and the herrings were taken mostly near Skipness 

 also on the Cowal shore, and on both sides of Otter Spit and near 

 Minard. It was reported that there was abundance of small-sized 

 herrings in the upper loch. In July the catch rose to a total of 5675 crans. 

 nearly all caught between Skipness and Tarbert, and they were mostly 

 large and fine fish ; only 45 crans were taken in the upper loch, and the 

 herrings were small. In August 4069 crans were taken, mostly near 

 Tarbert and between Tarbert and Ardrishaig, and the Officer notes that 

 the herrings were further up the loch than they had been for some years, 

 The total in September was only 425 crans, though the weather was fine, 

 and the herrings were very small and inferior. The fishing improved in 

 October, when 1202 crans were secured, most being apparently got about 

 Skipness, but the place is not always stated. The catch in November 

 was a little higher, viz., 1215 crans ; most of them were taken in the first 

 week near Tarbert. In the week ended 27th, the weather being favourable, 

 a thorough search was made, but only 30 crans were got, and it was 

 believed the shoals had left. On the other hand, great quantities of 

 herring fry, measuring from 1J to 2 inches, were about Otter Spit, as 

 many as from 15 to 20 being got in the stomach of coalfish which were 

 caught there. At the beginning of December a small shoal struck in 

 near Laggan, and during the month 295 crans were taken there, and 

 between it and Tarbert. In the last week of the year five crans of very 

 small herrings were taken in the upper loch, ranging from 1600 to 1800 

 to a cran. A feature of the year was the abundance of very small 

 herrings in Upper Loch Fyne, and in the lower loch also the quality 

 was usually very mixed, small fish often predominating. 



In the five years 1871-1875, the gross quantity of herrings landed 

 was 44,572 crans, giving an annual average of 8914 crans, thus appor- 

 tioned : — 



June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

 1,308 2,588 1,900 788 939 786 232 



The percentage for the months June- August was 65, and for the 

 months October-December, 22. 



In 1876 the aggregate for the year was nearly up to the average, viz., 

 22,836 crans, and only 106 crans of this, so far as the records go, were 

 taken in the upper loch. The detailed records, however, stating the 

 quantity taken in the upper loch in each week come to an end in July 

 this year, and it is probable that the quantity taken there was greater. On 

 15th January a trial made with the seine-net at Kilmichael Beg in the 

 upper loch resulted in a body of herrings being enclosed, but only thirty 



