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to be caught is the ‘‘ biological’’ one of the smallest size 
which will ensure that the animal has had the chance of 
reproducing its species once, still, if that is at present 
impracticable, any limit set by the law would be of some 
value, as the protection of the immature stages will— 
other things being equal—lead to a greater number being 
present of the lowest unprotected size, and, if the rate of 
capture remains the same, in each size above that, so that 
there will be an increased number of spawners, and the 
average size of the species will become greater. Ifa fish 
spawns, for example, at 12 inches, and it is not possible 
to extend protection to that size, it is better to protect it 
up to 8 inches, say, than not to protect it at all. And if, 
as the result of this partial protection, the numbers and 
the average size of the fish are increased it may be possible 
in the future gradually to raise the minimum catchable 
size until the “ biological’’ limit is reached. 
SPAWNING GROUNDS. 
In last year’s report it was recommended that a sys- 
tematic search should be made with the new steamer for 
any spawning grounds that exist in the district. One of 
the places visited, on March 11 and 13, was a sandbank of 
considerable size situated off the Bahama lightship, about 
5 miles E.S.E. of Maughold Head, Isle of Man, and 
having a depth of 8—10 fathoms over it (see map). 
Several hauls of the trawl were taken over this bank and 
a tow-net was also kept going at the surface to see if 
there were any floating fish eggs, but no indication was 
found of any spawning fish or eggs being present. 
The next place tried (on March 13) was the spot known 
to fishermen as ‘‘ The Hole,” a tongue of deep water run- 
ning up from the south of the Isle of Man and being a 
continuation of the deep belt of water which leads in 
