Aberdeen Fishery Statistics. 



39 



these extra small haddocks only go back to 1907), we find that 

 once before, namely, in 1910, an equally sudden increase took place 

 in the catch of that fish; it began about the same time of year, 

 namely, in the month of August ; it lasted for two years, or nearly 

 so ; and it ended almost as suddenly as it began. It was less in 

 magnitude than the intlux which began in August 1914; but it was 

 in all other respects quite similar to the latter phenomenon. I come 

 to the conclusion, accordingly, that this great increase in the catch 

 of " chat " haddocks was in the main, if not entirely, a natural 

 phenomenon, that its beginning was not attributable to the war, and 

 that over-fishing was not responsible for its end. 



"When we examine our catches of " small " haddock {i.e. fishes 

 about a year or so older than the " extra small " of which we have 

 been speaking), we perceive that they in turn showed signs of 

 increased abundance (though in less degree) in the course of 1915, 

 just about a year after the influx of the younger shoals. 



An increase in the catch of whiting took place about the same 

 time, and was well-nigh as conspicuous as that of haddock. But so, 

 as I am yet aware, these are the only two fish in which the pheno- 

 menon is apparent or conspicuous. 



We have some reason to believe that this temporary and ex- 

 ceptional abundance of haddock was widespread in the North Sea. 

 The Dutch statistics show a very large increase on the usual catch 

 of haddock, particularly in the years 1915, 1916, and especially in 

 the case of the " small " (corresponding to our " extra small ") fish. 



TABLE Y. 



Average Quantity of Haddocks (in kilogrammes) caught by Dutch 

 Trawlers, fishing in the North Sea, per Day's Fishing. 



The fact that the increase of the " small medium " haddock took 

 place much later — approximately a year later — than that of the 

 " extra small " is w.ell brought out by this Table. 



