THE WESTERN MACKEREL FISHERY. 28? 



removed from the spawning grounds. At present only a few of these 

 winter quarters are known to fishermen. Unless, therefore, certain 

 other areas in the Channel exhibiting physical features common to the 

 Start ground were thoroughly investigated, any attempt to suggest 

 a reason for the preference of the fish for such particular spots would 

 be based upon insufficient evidence. 



In reviewing the foregoing observations upon the physical and 

 biological conditions of the Start ground toward the close of the 

 trawling season, it is desirable to draw attention to the following 

 points : (1) that these bottom shoaling fish appeared to be feeding 

 largely upon plankton ; (2) that the plankton species observed in the 

 stomach contents were common to the tow-nettings taken within the 

 fishing area ; (3) that Oikopleura dioica occurred in great abundance in 

 stomach contents composed largely of phytoplankton, but in those 

 containing a considerable quantity of zooplankton it was scarce, and 

 further that, under the former circumstance, it was far more plentiful 

 than in the tow-nettings taken within the fishing area ; (4) that the 

 tow-nettings taken on the bottom showed a greater bulk of material 

 than those from the surface. 



IV. FISHERMEN'S "SIGNS." 



Amongst the west and east country fishermen there are gener- 

 ally recognized certain distinctive types of water in which mackerel 

 are said to occur more or less abundantly. According to the men's 

 statements, the colour and appearance of the water, its smell, and 

 possibly upon occasion the presence of certain marine birds, comprise 

 the only indications by which the drifter is guided in making choice 

 of his position. 



That these " signs," as they are termed, are the outcome of ex- 

 perience there can be no question, and the greater or less capability 

 for interpreting them makes a better or worse fisherman. An instance 

 occurred on one occasion when I was at Mevagissey, when one fisherman 

 shot his nets a few miles to the landward of the rest of the pilchard 

 fleet and secured a top catch ; when questioned as to his reasons 

 for doing so he explained that the signs at that particular position 

 were altogether better than any that he had seen the previous night 

 farther out. At other times I have heard a fisherman state that he 

 could not hope for even a fair catch, as the class of water was entirely 

 unsuitable, and on hauling nets this surmise has been found correct in 

 every instance. 



Before proceeding to treat the matter in detail it will be well to 



