366 



William C. Schroeder 



to the type of gear used when interpreting results quantitatively and qualitatively. 

 It is a matter for speculation as to what our catches would have been had larger trawls 

 been employed. 



In the preceding table the catches of all the fishes taken during 1952-1953, deeper 

 than 100 fathoms (excluding bathy pelagic species), are segregated by depths and areas 

 and converted to a standard based on the 60 foot trawl dragged on bottom for 

 1 hour. 



According to this summary the greatest number and poundage of fish, taken to- 

 gether, was found between 200 and 400 fathoms, and the species contributing most 

 to this were the redfish (Sebastes) and a macrourid (Coryphaenoides) in area A, the 

 offshore hake {Merluccius albidus) in areas B, C, D, and the long-finned hake {Uro- 

 phycis chesteri) in areas A, B, C, D. 



The upper hundred fathoms of the slope (100-200 fathoms) produced the smallest 

 yield in pounds of fish per haul, while deeper than 400 fathoms the decline was 

 apparent, and here a substantial part of the catch comprised the macrourids {Macrou- 

 rus bairdii and Coryphaenoides rupestris), the long-finned hake, and the gray sole 

 (Glyptocephalus). Along the outer part of the shelf, in 50-100 fathoms (not included 

 in Table III) the 20 hauls made averaged only about 100 fish weighing 50 pounds. 



A 60 foot trawl having a footrope about 50 ft. wide, fishing a swath estimated to 

 be 30 ft. wide in a one-hour drag at 2^ knots, would traverse an area equal to about 

 10^ acres. 



Table IV 

 Calculated catch offish in pounds per acre 



* Based on the total number of hauls as given in Table III. 



Thus Table IV (which presents in another form part of the data in Table III) shows 

 that area A, from Long. 63° 17' W to 65° 59' W, was considerably more productive 

 in pounds offish per acre than areas B, C, or D, from Long. 66° W to 74° 15', which 

 were rather uniform in yield as compared one with the other. 



These figures of yield per acre would be increased considerably by the use of a 

 commercial-size otter trawl. And the amounts would have been substantially greater 

 (regardless of trawl size) if our efforts had been directed chiefly in exploiting the 

 most productive grounds rather than in exploring poor areas as well. From the 



