THE IMPOVERISHMENT OF THE SEA. 51 



1894 were much less than the corresponding catches in 1896 and 1897, 

 although the number of vessels at work during the latter years was 

 slightly less. For the first two years the average total catch per trawler 

 amounted to 3,796 and 3,807 cwts. respectively ; for the last two years 

 to 5,247 and 5,207 cwts. respectively — a difference which can only be 

 attributed to the change from beam to otter trawl. If the average 

 catches for each pair of years are combined, we find that the average 

 annual catch of the beam trawlers was 3,802 cwts. and of the otter 

 trawlers 5,227 cwts. — a difference which yields a relative efficiency in 

 favour of the otter trawl amounting to 1'37 times that of the beam 

 trawl, or, in other words, an increase of 37 per cent, on the total 

 catches. 



In regard to the different kinds of fish, the table shows that the otter 

 trawl caught more than twice the quantity of cod, 35 per cent, more 

 haddock, and about the same quantity of flat-fish as was obtained by the 

 beam trawl in each case. These figures certainly do not overstate the 

 efficiency of the otter trawl, since the years 1893 and 1894 were 

 notorious for the exceptional abundance of haddock on the East Coast 

 of Scotland, while the remarkable fall in the catch of flat fishes, both 

 lemon soles and plaice, in 1897 suggests that the quantity of these fishes 

 caught in the second period was below the average in consequence 

 of exceptional scarcity. This reduced catch can scarcely be attributed 

 to the change of fishing gear, otherwise the catch in 1896 would have 

 shown the same depression. 



It makes, however, no material difference in the resultant averages 

 whether we take 30 per cent, or 40 per cent., or any intermediate figure, 

 to represent the increase in catching power due to the adoption of otter 

 gear. The figure already chosen for deducing the tonnage efficiency 

 was, for convenience, 33 per cent. ; and in order to make full allowance 

 for the time required for the supersession of the beam trawls on English 

 steam trawlers, I have assumed that only one-third of the increased 

 efficiency (10 per cent.) came into operation during the year of transi- 

 tion (1895), and only two-thirds (20 per cent.) during the following 

 year. For 1897 practically the full efficiency (30 per cent.) has been 

 allowed, and for 1898 of course the power of the otter trawl has been 

 included in Mr. Alward's estimate of the gross catching power of the 

 modern steamer, which there is every reason to believe is approximately 

 correct (cf. Table X., p. 48). 



For evidence as to the introduction of the otter trawl reference may 

 be made to the full account given by Mr. Cunningham* in this Journal 



* Cf. also Mcintosh, Resources, pp. 65 and 91 ; Tcatli Report of the Inspectors of Sea 

 Fisheries, England and Wales, for 1895, pp. 11, 121 (Hull), and 121 (Jlilford) ; Reports of 

 the Scottish Fishery Board, xiv. p. vii. ; xv. p. ix. 



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