124 



NORTH SEA INVESTIGATIONS. 



method. The lengths in inches were as 



} 



maximum. 



Number of Whiting. 



9 

 12 



12 

 2 

 4 



7 maximum. 

 4 

 2 

 2 

 1 



It will be seen that the number of fish was at a maximum at two 

 sizes, namely 4 to 5 in., and 8 in. The former length is, therefore, that 

 of the majority of the whiting of the year, hatched in the previous 

 spring, and the latter that of those in their second year. 



The results of examination of the contents of the stomachs in the 

 small soles are of interest. It is known that the larger soles feed almost 

 entirely on worms, but in these young specimens I found only 

 small Crustacea, with a certain quantity of sand. In one was a 

 Copepod, in three were specimens of Cumacea, minute Crustacea which 

 live on sandy ground. The smallest sole was only 1| in. long. Plaice 

 and dabs of the year's brood were remarkably scarce; there were 3 dabs 

 IJ to If in., 1 plaice 1| in., and 4 plaice 3f to 4^ in. 



Of larger soles which I brought ashore there were 8 of 5 in., 2 of 

 6 in., 1 of 9 J in. The food in all these was the tail end of the 

 lug-worm, Arenicola. 



The chief interest of this ground is, of course, the very considerable 

 number of soles of the year's brood, as well as of those of a larger size, 

 6 to 8 in., and a year old, which occur upon it in September. It is by 

 no means certain that any great injury is done to the little soles which 

 are trawled and thrown overboard again, though probably a certain 

 percentage of them are thereby killed. But it is clear, I think, that 

 a limit of 10 in. for the landing and sale of soles would be a distinct 

 and very beneficial protection to this species on this ground, and could 

 do no great injury to the men who get their living from the inshore 

 trawling. 



The next branch of the industry at Lowestoft to be considered, 

 and one which is vastly more important than the inshore trawling, is 

 the deep-sea trawling. This is carried on exclusively by sailing smacks. 

 The absence of steamers at Lowestoft is largely due probably to its 



