30 



in the season. The growth increments made by the herrings in 

 1914 showed a somewhat similar change as follows : — 



Growth increment made during 191-i by 

 herrings with 



Evidently a change takes place in our local shoal towards 

 the latter part of July, fish with a comparatively large first year 

 growth increasing in number. This change continues during 

 August, and by the latter part of that month or the beginning 

 of September (1913) the change which has taken place is such that 

 the average growth increment for the year of capture has been 

 influenced. 



This is of interest when connected with the time of fishing 

 some twenty years ago, when the herring season for our coast did 

 not begin until August, the latter part of July at the earliest, and 

 shoals of full herring were fished towards the end of August and 

 the beginning of September. 



Sample 11, 1914, was taken 8th September 30 miles S.E. by 

 E. of Hartlepool. When considering the age composition it was 

 pointed out that the samples of 1916 denoted the mouth of the 

 Tees as being approximately the southern limit of the Northum- 

 berland Coast shoal. 



The age composition of samples 2 to 10, Northumberland 

 Coast herrings, and of sample 11 here follow^ : — 



WixTER Rings. 



.3 6 



5-0 1-0 



4a 23 



Whilst the predominant year class is still that with three 

 winter rings, sample 11 is marked by the small percentage of 

 younger fish, and the higher percentages of older fish. There 

 were nine herrings only with two winter rings, and the first 3^ear 

 growth of these was generally greater than the average for those 



