THE IMMATURE FISH QUESTION. 67 
haul of the shrimp trawl being sixteen. We may, therefore, practi- 
cally confine our attention to the deep sea trawlers. 
Mr. Holt has been investigating the question on the east coast for 
the North Sea since January, 1892. He says that the male lemon 
sole is sometimes mature at 6 inches, and that no specimen smaller 
than this could be procured. He says he has found immature 
females from 6 inches to 12 inches in length. But not all females 
are immature under 12 inches or under 11 inches. Many were 
mature at 10 inches, some at 9 inches, and one female even at 8 
inches. Mr. Holt examined 424 specimens, the smallest he could 
procure, by far the greater number under 11 inches in length ; and of 
these, 125 were immature—that is, 29 per cent. If we take only 
those under 11 inches examined by him, the numbers are these :— 
Total number examined, 263 ; immature, 101, or 38 per cent. Hven 
this is not a very large proportion. I do not think it is large enough 
to justify any legislative interference with the capture of lemon soles. 
Mr. Holt states that young lemon soles are not taken on the eastern 
grounds. 
It is certain, therefore, from the evidence reviewed that neither 
immature nor undersized lemon soles are captured by the deep sea 
trawls in excessive proportion on any particular grounds, and the 
question with regard to this particular fish is narrowed down to this :— 
Is it necessary or advisable to interfere in any way with the capture 
and sale of the smaller lemon soles, which the trawlers at present 
take on all ordinary off-shore fishing-grounds ? 
In the first place it must be noted that all the lemon soles taken 
are saleable and good for food. None are thrown overboard as use- 
less, and all find a ready market. If a limiting size is enforced 
either the prohibited fish must be thrown overboard, or the fishermen 
must find a method by which they can avoid catching them. If 
they are forced to throw the small fish overboard, it is certain that 
they will not all be returned to the sea alive. It is doubtful if any 
or more than a very small proportion would survive if thrown over- 
board. According to my experience at Plymouth, it is seldom that 
the fish are sorted out and picked up as soon as they are emptied 
from the trawl on to the deck. In rough weather, and when the 
trawl contains a large quantity of stuff, the fish have been subjected 
to a good deal of mechanical violence before they reach the deck. 
Then the trawl is frequently torn, and it is mended and shot away 
before the fish receive any attention. Again, hauls are frequently 
made at night, when it would be troublesome and difficult to distin- 
guish the smaller fish. In-a great many cases the fish would not be 
thrown overboard until they were dead or beyond hope of recovery. 
An enlargement of the mesh of the net has often been suggested ; 
