9Q 
ae 
of the samples of spring spawning herrings from the north-west 
coast of Ireland. The June sample from the Shetlands which, 
consisted chiefly of spent fish, is remarkable in that few of the 
herrings show on the scales any signs of growth for the year of 
capture. The data with regard to this growth are summarised as 
follows :— 
Winter Rings. 2 3 4 5 6 Zand + ‘Total. 
Number examined 2 IL 31 101 18 29 192 
Growth begun in 2 11 16 12 i — 42 
Average 1922 growth 1:8 0-8 O-4 0:3 0-3 cm. 
When in Berwick in the summer of 1921 I was informed that 
large quantities of herring spawn had been found in crab pots 
by fishermen fishing from that port in the spring of the year. To 
ascertain the extent of the spawning ground a query was addressed 
to the Fishery Board for Scotland, and the Board’s officer at 
Berwick reported that no evidence of a spawning had been found 
from St. Abb’s Head to Berwick, but that towards the latter end 
of March herring spawn had been found from three to four miles 
east by south from Berwick. The spawning was unusual in 
position and quantity, but shoals of herrings off the Berwickshire 
coast during the past winter had been greater than had been the 
case in former years. 
To obtain further evidence of this new spawning ground Mr. 
James Anderson, of Burnmouth, Mr. Cowe, of Berwick, and Mr. 
Douglas, of Beadnell, were requested to make observations in the 
spring of 1922, and, if possible, to send samples of the spawn to 
Cullercoats. Herring eggs were obtained and sent to Cullercoats 
by Mr. Anderson and Mr. Cowe, and they came from 12 to 15 
fathoms, 2 to 3 miles north from Emmanuel Head, Holy Island, 
27th February and Ist March. Mr. Douglas who was fishing on 
grounds south of the Farne Islands found no traces of a spawning. 
The eggs covered the crab pots and the backs of the crabs caught. 
They were attached to pieces of old rope, shells of living Buccinum, 
Flustra and seaweeds. Where the spawn was thickest no crabs 
were caught. Whiting and cod were caught gorged with herring 
eggs. 
