40 



The herrings with two winter rings of 1916 had three in 1917, 

 and four winter rings in 1918. They again show a larger first 

 year growth than in succeeding yeors, but not so large a growth 

 as that made by fish of the same age in previous years. The first 

 year growth of fish of three and four winter rings is again the same. 

 The particulars here follow : — 



11 12 13 14 



25 4 2 — 



11 2 0-7 — 



4 1 0-4 — 



From the consideration of the above it would appear that the 

 herrings return to the Northumberland Coast shoal after the 

 formation of the third winter ring. 1916, the year following the 

 restricted fishing of 1915, gives a decreased first year gro^^i^h fo.' 

 herrings with four and five winter rings, but apart from this year 

 the first year growth shows practically no variation, and it is 

 assumed that this factor points to the yearly return of the herrings. 



The first year growth made by herrings with two winter rings 

 was always greater than that found in succeeding years, but it 

 was distinct^ smaller for fish of this age in 1916. The samples 

 of 1917 contained 17 fish onty having two winter rings ; these 

 were all in one sample, the growth of which has not been deter- 

 mined. The 1918 herrings with two winter rings had a first year 

 growth smaller than those of 1916, the particulars being as follows: — 



Percentage at Centimetres. 



\Vintor 

 Year. ^. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 



Eings 



1918 2 — — 1 6 16 32 27 26 2 — — 



There is evidence of a change in respect to the herrings wdth 

 two winter rings, and the data point to fish of this age with a much 

 smaller first year growth and probably from a different spawning 

 ground being present in the Northumberland shoal in 1916 and 

 1918. This and the increased first year growth for fish of five 

 winter rings are probabh^ due to the restricted fishing, which 

 following the heavy fishing to which in previous years the shoal 

 was subjected, Avould bring about an increased first j^ear growth 

 for fish of five whiter rmgs, if Lee * is correct that the fish with 

 a small first j^ear growth are late in joinmg the shoal. 



* Pub. de Cir., No, 66. 



