of the lishery Board for Scotland. 
19 
were landed in better condition. On the occasion of the gale referred to, 
200 boats were at sea, and by a sudden change of wind a great part of 
their nets were destroyed or lost, a large proportion of the losses falling 
on Lewis crews. As herrings were plentiful in the Minch — principally 
between Stoer and Cellar Heads — it was not necessary to prosecute the 
fishing so far northward as formerly. During the first week of the summer, 
herrings were small and soft, but they rapidly improved, and during the 
remainder of the season the quality was excellent. In the week ended 
24th May, 16,900 crans were landed at Stornoway — that being the largest 
week's catch of the season ; and the highest take landed from a boat as 
the result of a night's fishing was 1 20 crans. At Barra the catch was more 
generally distributed among the boats than in the previous year ; and the 
best fishing there was obtained during the week ended 31st May, when 
5361 crans were landed. It is estimated that the fishermen at Stornoway 
realised, on an average, 19s. per cran for the summer herrings, and for 
those at Barra 34s. Gd. per cran. Based on these estimates, the produce 
of the herring fishery of the district is valued at .£129,653. 
61,372| barrels of herrings were exported from the district, and of 
that number 37,364 were shipped for St Petersburg, 18,712 to Stettin, 
240 to Ireland, and the remainder distributed between Konigsberg, 
Danzig and Hamburg. The quantity exported exceeds that of 1889 by 
21,570 barrels. Twenty-two establishments were engaged kippering 
herrings ; the trade in these and in fresh herrings still maintaining its 
importance, and proving a source of much benefit to the district. Six 
large steamers were specially employed while the fishing was in progress, 
carrying herrings to Scottish and English ports for distribution through- 
out the country. During the year 3 fishermen were drowned. The 
loss in boats and fishing material, which was unusually heavy, is estimated 
at £4003. 
Loch Broom District. 
From Cape Wrath to Diebeg, both exclusive ; including the lochs and islands 
within this range of coast. 
District Fishery Office — Ulhpool. 
The herring fishing commenced in Loch Broom district early in May, 
and was prosecuted with indifferent success till December. During this 
period small shoals came into some of the principal lochs, but at no time 
during the year did herrings appear in abundance. The largest number 
of boats employed at one time was estimated at 50. There are 602 
boats in the district, about 280 of which used herring nets during the 
year. A number of these were small boats carrying from 6 to 12 nets 
each, and only fished a quantity sufficient for the use of the crew. As 
there was no means of sending fresh fish to the home markets from tliis 
district, and as the local demand was small, prices generally ruled low. 
The total catch for the year amounted to 3158 crans, of which 1904 
were cured on shore, and 1394 barrels were cured on board of 11 vessels 
fitted out in the district. The quantity taken, although up to the average 
of the past few years, shows a decrease of 2839 barrels from the previous 
year. 
In the disastrous gale of 25th June, 8 lives were lost, besides a 
considerable quantity of netting — several crews losing their whole drift, 
and narrowly escaping with their lives. 
