76 NOTES ON A FISHING VOYAGE TO THE 



in this region at least the plaice lives in the presence of a serious 

 natviral enemy (or enemies, for though the food of the seals in the 

 Barents Sea has not yet been sufficiently studied, the possibility of 

 their preying upon plaice is by no means precluded). 



It may perhaps seem possible that, owing to the novelty of this 

 phenomenon, the fishermen would be inclined specially to select these 

 damaged fish for my benefit, thus exaggerating their occurrence. I am 

 confident that tliis is not the case, as the men were not even aware 

 that these fish were being in any way regarded. 



The Composition of the Catch. 



The length frequencies of 2146 females and 2365 males, representing 

 over three tons of fish, are shown in Table I above, each sex being sub- 

 divided, according to maturity. The measurements, arranged in 2 cm. 

 groups, are further displayed in diagrams (pages 78 and 79). 



Care was taken to secure a,s fair a sample as possible of each catch 

 dealt with. That this object was attained appears evident from the 

 slight variations in the average sizes at the twenty-nine stations. For 

 the males, of which the averages vary between the narrow limits of 

 40"4 cm. and 41"9 cm., a total average size of 40*7 cm. is obtained ; in 

 the case of the females, as might be expected, a greater range in the 

 average sizes occurs : 45"3 cm.-48'9 cm , with one exception, 50'5 cm. 

 (in the smallest sample taken). The total average size of 2365 female 

 fish is 467 cm. 



The population consisted almost entirely of large mature fish, the 

 total range of size being for males 24 cm. to 57 cm , and for females 

 24 cm. to 73 cm. 



In Table II below the measurements for each sex are summarized in 

 5 cm. groups, the percentage of males in each being also presented. 



Table II. — Showing the measurements of Barents Sea ^j/fwce sumviarized in 

 5 cm. groiqis, the 2^ercentage of mcdes in each group heimj 2>'''esented 

 JjeJow : — 



The striking feature of this table is the great proportion of males in 

 each group up to 40-44 cm., and the subsequent rapid decrease. 



The male plaice is generally recognised as being a constitutionally 

 smaller fish than the female, and would not be expected to attain to 



