41 



of long rough dabs and flounders, are landed at North Shields. 

 Most of them are caught just outside the three-mile limit. 



Three samples of these were obtained, and by means of the 

 otohths the age of the dabs and plaice has been determined. The 

 otohth of the dab shows the age very clearly as a rule, but cases 

 have been met in which the otoliths were difficult to read, and 

 appeal has had to be made to the scales before the age could be 

 definitely stated. It is interesting to note that the otoliths from 

 both the plaice and the dabs showed in all cases that the summer's 

 growth for the year had begun. 



The age composition of the samples examined, as well as the 

 average size and range in size, in centimetres, for each year group 

 are given below, and further particulars will be found in Tables 

 III. and IV., for the making of which the three samj)les have been 

 considered as one. 



As the first sample was selected with the object of making 

 an examination of the smallest fish landed, the average size of the 

 three -year old dabs is low. The other two samples were taken 

 without selection. 



Dabs.— 14th April, 1916, 5 miles E.S.E. of Coquet Island, 

 27 fathoms. 



17th April, 1916, Blyth Bay, 28-30 fathoms. 



Age. 



5 



No. of Fish 



Average Size 

 Range ... 



44 

 13-6 



10-1— 17-0 



63 



17-8 I 

 13-2— 25-51 



21-7 

 18-5— 26-2 



2 



23-8 

 21-5— 26-0 



