400 



MACKEREL AND SUNSHINE. 



represented in Fig. 4, are the means of the six temperature averages 

 given for this area on the Monthly Pilot Charts of the North Atlantic, 

 issued by the Meteorological Office in London. For comparison with 

 these, Table VII., and Fig. 5 give the mean temperatures at the surface 

 and at 10 meters (5 fathoms) depth found at Stations E.5. and E.G. on 

 the International Cruises carried out in May in each of the years 

 1903-8. It will be seen that the two curves follow] the same general 

 course. The outstanding feature of these temperature curves is the 

 occurrence of two very marked maxima in 1903 and 1905. On 



190-^ 



1Q05 



(907 1905 



Fig. 4. — Curves showing the mean surface temperature of the sea in degrees Centigrade in 

 the area between Lat. 48° and 52° N. , and Long. 4° and 10° W. , as given on the 

 Monthly Pilot Charts of the Meteorological Office for the months of February, 

 March, April, and May, in the years 1902-1908. 



comparing the curves with the curves representing the catches of 

 mackerel, either with that given by Messrs. Peacock's figures, or by 

 the ofiicial figures, no relation between the two can be traced. Whilst 

 the 1905 temperature maximum agrees with the maximum total 

 catch of mackerel as shown by the ofiicial statistics and the high 

 average catch shown by Messrs. Peacock's figures, the temperature 

 maximum of 1903 is accompanied by low catches of mackerel. The 

 other parts of the curves also give no indication of any close connection 

 between the surface sea temperatures and the mackerel catches. 



