of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



89 



In 1894 the aggregate catch was slightly greater, viz., 38,367 crans. 

 In June, most of the 3049 crans got were apparently taken in the lower 

 loch, as at Skipness. In July 10,827 crans were landed, and they were 

 nearly all taken in the upper loch, especially from Minard to Inveraray. 

 In August the catch totalled 9320 crans, also got in the upper loch, 

 between Crarae and Inveraray. In September 3024 crans were secured, 

 almost all in the upper loch, from Minard to Inveraray, and especially in 

 the upper reaches about and above Inveraray. The catch in October 

 again fell, the quantity taken being 1041 crans, and they were got in 

 the upper loch in the vicinity of Inveraray and Strachur by drift-nets, 

 sunk as far from the surface as 40 to 60 fathoms, but the fishermen 

 stated that the shoal was at the bottom in deeper water. In November 

 the catch was 3100 crans, apparently all from the upper loch; during 

 the first three weeks they were caught by drift nets, but at the end of 

 the month heavy catches were secured by seines at the head of the loch, 

 near Cairndow. In December the catch was the high one of 7451 crans, 

 and they were taken in the lower parts of the upper loch, from Minard 

 and Furnace to Otter Spit, and Ardrishaig and Inverneil in the lower 

 loch. At the end of the year herrings were said to be still abundant in 

 the upper loch. 



In 1895 the total amounted to 17,853 crans, of which 1090 crans were 

 caught between 1st January and 1st June, but the locality and time are 

 not specified. In June 2117 crans were taken all over the loch, but 

 mostly about Tarbert and in the upper loch. In July the catch was 

 4271 crans, most being got in the upper loch. The total in August was 

 somewhat greater, 5508 crans, mostly got in the upper loch, especially 

 between Strachur and Cairndow, but also near Tarbert, and between 

 Tarbert and Skipness. In September the aggregate fell to 1674 crans, 

 mostly taken in the upper reaches of the upper loch. Only 155 crans 

 were obtained in October, apparently chiefly about Skipness. In Novem- 

 ber 1800 crans were taken, chiefly in the upper loch, but also between 

 Tarbert and Ardrishaig. The catch in December was rather less, 1 238 crans, 

 and mostly secured between Tarbert and Ardrishaig, as at Inverneil. In 

 this year, therefore, the bulk of the herrings were caught in the upper loch. 



The aggregate catch in 1896 was 18,406 crans, of which 2012 crans 

 were caught between 1st January and 1st June, without specification of 

 locality being given. In June the herrings appear to have been mostly 

 caught in the upper loch. In July, and, indeed, throughout the whole 

 year, by far the larger quantity was taken in the upper loch, and in the 

 upper reaches of it ; but in August and in October it is stated that catches 

 were got near Tarbert, and betweeu Tarbert and Skipness. No informa- 

 tion is given for the first two weeks in December, in which month only 

 324 crans were secured ; in the third week it is stated that the fishing in 

 the upper loch was blank, and that the herrings taken in that week were 

 got between Tarbert and Skipness. In the last week of the year there 

 was no " appearance " of herrings in the loch. The bulk of the catch 

 in this year was again from the upper loch ; and it is noted in the closing 

 months of the year that the herrings taken by seine were very small and 

 inferior, the fishermen often allowing them to escape as being too small 

 for market. 



The year 1897 was the most productive in the period from 1863 (or 

 1854) to 1906, and it is interesting from the fact that it is the only 

 instance where a very good year follows a year below the average. The 

 aggregate amounted to 56,820 crans, thus apportioned : — 



To 1st June. June. July. Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 

 849 1,756 5,876 10,797 19,900 6,316 5,763 5,563 



