of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 
23 
net was the most effective engine used, 50 crans being frequently secured 
in one haul. The most successful pair of skiffs, with a crew of 8 men, 
using the seine-net, earned £220. In the early part of the season, 
however, these crews fished with drift-nets. The most prosperous crew 
of 3 men fishing witli drift-nets earned £120. The quality of the 
herrings varied greatly during the season ; those caught in the lochs, 
however, were exceptionally fine. Prices ranged from 15s. to 80s. per 
cran, although many takes were sold at from 8s. to 10s. per cran. The 
average price realised by the fishermen was 24s. 6d. per cran, or Is. 6d. 
less than in 1889. The steamers which bought the herrings and con- 
veyed thein to market were found useful in reporting as to the ground 
on which the best shoals would be found. Seven vessels were fitted out 
for curing herring in the north-west Highlands, and all returned with full 
cargoes. The weather throughout the season was wet and unsettled. 
Geeenock 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 summer herring fishing in this district was commenced in the 
latter part of May, and was prosecuted until the end of September, when 
it was brought to a close for the year. There were 246 boats belonging 
to the district — 106 herring boats, and 140 engaged in other branches of 
the fishing. Fifty-nine boats were at one time employed in the herring 
fishing, being 28 less than in the preceding year. The principal fishing 
grounds were on the Ayrshire Coast and in Gareloch. Herrings were 
found in Gareloch in moderate quantities during the months of June, 
July and August, but no large shoals appeared at any time on the Ayr- 
shire coast. The takes were small but generally distributed. The total 
catch of herrings amounted to 1186 crans, valued at £2135, against 
1840 crans valued at £4439 in 1889, 3185 crans valued at £5008 in 
1888, and 1827 crans valued at £2306 in 1887, and is the smallest 
catch on record for the last 12 years, with the exception of 1886. 
All the catch was taken by drift-nets, and was disposed of chiefly to 
local merchants, for consumption fresh. The highest individual take 
was 18 crans. The bulk of the herrings were of inferior quality all 
through the season, but good prices were generally obtained — the average 
price per cran being 36s., as compared with 41s. 4d. in the preceding 
year. The weather during the fishing season was often of a stormy 
nature — strong wind accompanied by heavy rain keeping the boats from 
going to sea on several nights. 
Two curing vessels were fitted out, and 11,165 barrels of cured herrings 
were landed in the district from them and from other vessels curing in 
the north-west Highlands. This was a decrease of 2102 barrels from 
1889. ]No lives were lost in connection with the fisheries, while the 
damage sustained by boats and fishing material was only trifling. 
Ballantrae District. 
From Ayr to Sark River, Solway Firth, both inclusive. 
District Fishery Office — Girvan. 
As compared with the previous year, the herring fishing of 1890 
presents a favourable return, and this arises from an exceptional catch at 
