58 FISHING INDUSTRY OF PLYMOUTH. 



finus), cod {G. rnorrhua) aud ling {Molva vulgaris) rise from 

 tlie ground during the daytime and sink again at night 

 (No. 1). 



As a rule in the Channel but little flat fish is found on 

 shelly ground. 



Effect of Storms. — It is a matter of general remark among 

 trawlers that immediately after heavy south-west storms, the 

 fish ordinarily caught on the trawling grounds in fine weather, 

 between the Eddystone and Raeme Head and to the east- 

 ward, are not to be found there ; their place being taken by 

 rock-fish, conger {G. vulgaris), bass {Lahrax lupus), bream 

 {Pagelkis centrodontus) , ipout (^Gadus luscus), ling {Molva vul- 

 garis), &c., and with these fish larger quantities of kelp. It 

 would appear probable that the rock-fish are driven from 

 their usual habitat by the danger of the force of the water 

 upon the rocks, and seek safety on smooth ground (the 

 trawling ground), but with regard to the fish usually found 

 on this ground (flatfish, gurnard [Trigla), mullet [Mugil 

 capito), whiting {Gadus m-erlangus), hake {Merluccius vul- 

 garis), &c.), which are not caught there for a short time 

 immediately after such storms, the fishermen do not know 

 what becomes of them, but assert they go into deeper water. 



It must be noticed further that large soles and plaice, the 

 finest of which are to be found near rocks in fine weather, 

 are caught in increased numbers on the smooth ground away 

 from rocks, after storms have occurred. Should this be 

 true — and there appears to be no room for doubt that my in- 

 formant, who is an experienced trawler, speaks correctly — it 

 would follow that the effect of storms is felt at greater 

 depths than is usually believed.* 



The depths of the rocks from which the conger, ling, &c., 

 have been driven is, say from ten to thirty fathoms. But from 

 depths of forty fathoms, stones, lumps of coal, &c., are brought 

 up in the trawl, bearing every appearance of having been in 

 constant movement, while trawls which have been lost in 



* It lias been calculated (No. 13) that a wave 300 feet long, and fi feet from 

 crest to trough, will cause an alternating current of 2 feet a second ou the 

 ground at a depth of six fathoms. 



