the age composition of the older fish was much the same as in the 
two previous years the shoals have been sampled. Herrings 
with seven and eight winter rings were fairly abundant, those 
with six winter rings were poor in numbers, and the fish with 
five winter rings, which gave the fairly good summer fishing of 
1919, formed an important part of the catches. The Wick sample 
of 23rd August came from a spawning shoal, but contained a small 
number of young fish at stages I]. to IV. It illustrates the import- 
ance of young fish with three winter rings and the extent to which 
they may influence the catches made even from spawning shoals. 
The sample from Lerwick, 2nd July, consisted for the most part 
of fish at stages II. and III., and can be considered as coming from 
a shoal which had recovered from a spring spawning. 
Owing to the interest which Mr. Beazor takes in these investiga- 
tions, it is possible to give some interesting data relating to the 
Yarmouth fishery. Mr. Beazor forwards samples, without charge, 
when he considers an examination may yield information which 
will jead to further knowledge. 
The first sample came from the midsummer fishery on 7th 
June. This fishery was very poor, and the catches made from 
it were to some extent determined by the shortage of coal. But 
even when the vessels reached the fishing grounds the herrings 
were not caught in sufficient quantities to indicate that large 
shoals were present. It is doubtful, therefore, if the sample can 
be taken as giving a true representation of this fishery in a good 
season. It is interesting when compared with the sample caught 
9th March * of the same year. The June sample contained more 
fish with four and five winter rings, and fewer fish with seven and 
eight winter rings. The March sample consisted of spents and 
recovering spents, and the fish of the June sample were further 
recovered, and at stage II. with more fat in the body cavity. 
Recovering spents from spring spawners were caught in Yarmouth 
waters in March, and as late as early June. The age composition 
of these two samples and the development were as follows :— 
WINTER RINGS (Percentages). 
Date. 33 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 
9th March on os 1 3 27 15 17 24 11 2 
7th June eet aA6 5 30 34. 8 11 9 2 1 


* Report, New Series X.; pp. 90 and 91. 
