Figure 8. Structure of first ring of spring-spawning Iceland herring. Fragmented scler- 

 ites /?/, characteristic of summer herring (Figure 7), are not present. Scale 

 of herring aged 8+ years, length 302 mm., 1^ - 73 mm., male Il-in stage, 1st 

 spawning at 4 years (sample 189, No. 2, 1957 - 27/VIII). 



In the Faroes sampling, some specimens were also at the V stage, but the majority were 

 at V-VI gonad maturity stage. 



Study of the material reveals that the individual fecundity of the summer herring varies 

 considerably . 



The lowest individual fecundity, 55, 300 eggs, was found in a female 24.3 cm. long, 4 years 

 old (Iceland sample) and the highest number of eggs (294, 200) was found in a female 32.3 cm. long, 

 13 years old, from the Faroes sample. 



Table 6 gives the fecundity of the summer-spawning herring from the Iceland and Faroes 

 regions . 



Because of the considerable similarity in fecundity of the herring from these regions, we 

 can hereafter consider the material for both together . 



A general regularity is noticeable in the females of the summer race: as size, weight, and 

 age increase, a growth in general fecundity is observed. 



178 



