88 NOTES ON A FISHING VOYAGE TO THE 



the body of the bank, and fish were eventually found in satisfactory 

 quantities. The remaining 21 hauls, from which fish were measured, 

 give 48 per cent of males. 



It is evident that this unmistakeable change in the proportions of 

 the sexes from west to east is not without significance, and when we 

 consider that a great preponderance of males is characteristic of 

 spawning areas in the North Sea during, and immediately after the 

 spawning season, it would seem that we have a clue to where these 

 plaice had spawned in the Barents Sea. 



Evidence of a probable abundance of plaice some little time 

 previously in the deep water to the west of the bank, was accidentally 

 afforded in the following manner: When first approaching the in- 

 tended fishing grounds, a trawler's fishing buoy was found anchored 

 in 55 fathoms. No vessel was in sight, and it had been in the water 

 some little time, evidently having been lost sight of in one of the 

 frequent fogs. A trial haul of nearly two hours gave the result 

 previously mentioned, viz., 42 plaice, 33 of which were males. 



Now the experienced skippers who make this long voyage to the 

 Arctic Ocean would only be likely to employ a buoy for one of two 

 purposes — to mark either a rough ground, or a shoal of fish. In the 

 latter case plaice would be the species, for in the present limited 

 scope of the fishery this is the only species specially sought after in 

 this region. 



No rough ground was encountered in the haul taken, so the prob- 

 ability is that when the buoy was put down quantities of plaice were 

 to be had in the vicinity. It was not until nearly two days later, 

 after searching to the eastward and then returning to the body of the 

 bank, that the Roman fell in with sufficient quantities of plaice to 

 warrant the use of a fishing buoy.* 



The rapidity with which an accumulation of plaice can under 

 certain conditions disappear from a given spot, is a phenomenon well 

 known amongst fishermen. 



Thus we have evidence, indirect and admittedly not conclusive, yet 

 from various aspects corroborative of a distinct eastward movement of 

 these plaice subsequent to spawning. Conversely it would appear as 

 if the westward migration, from this bank at least, into deeper water 

 for the purpose of spawning, might be assumed. 



* Since the above was written, information has been obtained on this point, which 

 corroborates in eacli respect tlie surmises mentioned in the text. From distinguishing 

 marks on the buoy, and through the courtesy of Captain Leighton, it lias been possible to 

 discover the Hull skipper who lost it. He states that it was aclually on a bank with 

 52 fathoms, and was lost in a fog of two days' duration towards the end of June. At 

 that time he was catching sixty baskets of plaice for a two hours' haul. 



G. T. A., 27.12 07. 



