130 NORTH SEA INVESTIGATIONS. 
only moderate success, to the east of the Shetlands, but the enter- 
prise of one of our firms has at last opened up a trawling ground, 
the resources of which, if properly husbanded, can hardly be esti- 
mated. 
In the summer of 1891 the s.s. ‘‘ Aquarius”? (Grimsby Steam 
Trawling Co., Mr. T. Cutton, master) shot a trawl off Ingol’s 
Hofde Huk ( Ingol’s Hoof” according to Grimsby pronunciation), 
on the south coast of Iceland, and returned with a fine catch of 
plaice and haddock. In the winter the Iceland grounds are closed, 
partly by ice, but more by the prevalence of foggy weather ; but in 
the summer of 1892 about nine steam trawlers renewed the 
experiment. 
Nature of Catch. 
Large catches of plaice and haddock were made, the quantity 
varying from about 100 to 400 boxes of each per trip. Other items 
of the catch included witches (P. cynoglossus), common dabs, 
whiting, and Norway “ haddock” (Sebastes norvegicus), all abundant ; 
cod, ling, cat-fish (A. lupus), and skate, fairly plentiful; megrims 
(Rh. megastoma) common in certain parts of the ground ; halibut 
moderately plentiful, but local. Lemon soles were very scarce, and 
no turbot, brill, or true soles were taken. 
Of unmarketable species one specimen of Molva abyssorum and of 
Gadus saida respectively have reached my hands from Iceland 
trawlers. Long rough dabs and prickly rays (R. radiata) I have 
ascertained to be common, but my inquiries have failed to elicit 
evidence of the presence of any other species of food-fish. 
Fishing Grounds. 
The ground principally worked is known to our fishermen by the 
name of “ Ingol’s Hoof,” and is described to me as lying off a fairly 
even stretch of coast which extends about S.W. from Ingol’s Hofde 
Huk. The shore consists of low cliffs or banks, awash with the tide 
and pierced by the mouths of numerous streams draining the gradual 
incline of cindery volcanic soil which stretches seaward from a line 
of hills parallel to the shore. The bottom consists of very dark 
mud, the colour being due to its volcanic origin. ‘Trawling is 
carried on at between 6 and 7 fathoms, close inshore, and about 40 
fathoms in the offing, but a large part of the fishing took place in 
1892, within three miles of the land. Another ground, more to the 
westward, is known as ‘“‘ Madam Piper’s Bay,” and trawling has also 
been carried on, with good results, off the West Horn at some 
distance off shore. In addition to these grounds, some of the fjords 
