22 
Appendices to Eighth Annual Report 
Rothesay District. 
From Ardlamont Point, inclusive, to Roseneath Point, exclusive ; including 
the lochs within this range of coast ; also Bute and Arran. 
District Fishery Office — Rothesay. 
The summer herring fishing opened in Rothesay district on 24th June 
and practically closed on 31st October. There were 259 boats belonging 
to the district, and a falling off in the number employed — the old boats not 
being replaced by new ones. The total amount of herrings landed was 
8289 crans, being a slight decrease against the two previous years. In 
the early part of the season the herrings made their appearance in Lochs 
Strivan and Long, and fair catches were secured, but the shoals did not 
remain for any length of time. During August the fleet began to pro- 
secute the fishing on the more extensive grounds off Ardlamont, Skipness, 
Cock of Arran, and Machree Bay, Arran. In one week of the season as 
many as 294 boats were employed — catches with the seine or circle-net 
being extremely irregular, but the drift-net fishing wasmore successful. The 
gross earnings of the most prosperous pair of skilfs, with a crew of 8 men 
using the seine-net, amounted to £200, and the most successful drift-net 
crew of 3 men earned £135. The average earnings of the drifters, which 
were the most numerous, amounted to £75. In size and quality the 
herrings caught in the lochs were excellent, and commanded a ready sale. 
In June and July there was a good demand, and prices were as high as 
45s. per cran. The average price for the season, however, was about 26s. 
per cran, as compared with 21s. in the previous year. Nearly the whole 
of the catch was despatched to market for use fresh. Five curing vessels 
were fitted out in the North West Highlands, and all returned with full 
cargoes. The weather up to the end of October was exceptionally good. 
One fatal accident occurred during the season. 
Greenock District. 
From Glasgow, westwards, on the north side of the River Clyde, to Ros- 
neath Point, both inclusive, including Gareloch ; on the south and east side 
of the River and Firth of Clyde to Ayr, exclusive, including the Cumbraes. 
District Fishery Office — Greenock. 
The herring fishing in this district was commenced in the latter part of 
May and was prosecuted until the middle of September, when it was dis- 
continued for the year. The weather was very favourable for fishing all 
through the season. There were 230 boats belonging to the district — 110 
herring boats, and 120 engaged in other branches of the fishing. Eighty- 
seven boats were at one time employed at the herring fishing — being 4 
more than in the preceding year. The principal fishing grounds were on 
the Ayrshire coast and in Gareloch. Herrings were found in Gareloch in 
good quantities during June and July, and were of fair size and quality, 
but no large shoals appeared at any time on the Ayrshire coast. The takes 
were small but general. The total catch of herrings amounted to 1840 
crans, valued at ,£4439, against 3185 crans, valued at £5008, in 1888, 
and 1827 crans, valued at £2306, in 1887. All the catch was taken by 
drift-nets. It was disposed of, chiefly to local merchants, for consumption 
