81 



The table shows that there has been a marked increase 

 in the average of soles caught per haul during the period 

 1898-1902 over that caught during the earlier period 1893- 

 1897. This increase is very apparent when the 3rd 

 quarters of the years are compared, but it is also notice- 

 able, though not so marked, in the average catches for 

 the 4th quarters. The average catches of plaice and dabs, 

 on the other hand, have undergone decided decreases 

 during the same periods. Whiting and shrimps, as might 

 have been expected, show no decided changes. 



The same changes are to be observed in the figures 

 dealing with the Mersey Shrimping Grounds, and here 

 they are quite as marked, and being founded on a larger 

 number of hauls than in the case of the Blackpool 

 grounds, are probably a closer approximation to the real 

 state of the fishery. The area considered is that known as 

 the Deposit ground, and part of the Burbo Bank. It 

 corresponds closely with the area which it was proposed 

 to close against shrimp trawling during a certain part of 



the year. 



Mersey Shrimping Grounds. 

 Average catches of shrimps and immature fishes made 

 with a shrimp trawl during the 2nd and 3rd quarters of 

 the two quinquennial periods, 1893-7 and 1898-1902. 



