54 A TEXTBOOK OF OCEANOGRAPHY 



oceanic currents is still ver}^ noticeable ; and the same gênerai 

 distribution of température rules in 600 mètres depths (328 

 fathoms). At a little over 1,000 fathoms (2,000 mètres) there 

 is a marked uniformity of température, between 2° and 3° C, 

 this being the case in the whole of the Pacific, South Indian, 

 and South- West Atlantic Océans. At 2,000 fathoms the 

 average température is about i'6° C. 



Genuine deep-sea fish such as Macrurus hâve a wide 

 geographical. distribution ; nevertheless, this genus is confîned 

 to water between 1° and 3° C. 



In the North Atlantic warm water extends down to much 

 greater depths on the east side (ofï Ireland) than on the west 

 side (off the North American coast). From 500 to 800 fathoms 

 it is much warmer on the east side, whereas from 1,000 to 

 2,000 fathoms the températures are similar on both sides. 



On the continental slope on the east side of the Atlantic 

 from the Faroes to the south of the Canaries the thermometrical 

 conditions are much the same. Thus at 500 fathoms the 

 température is 7° C. south of the Faroes and 8° C. south of 

 the Canaries. On the west side at this depth the température 

 is only 4° C. Commercial trawling has not yet been carried 

 on at this depth, and from the results of expérimental trawling 

 by scientific vessels it does not appear that edible fish are likely 

 to be présent in paying quantities. 



The Norwegian Sea has an extensive area with depths 

 above 1,000 fathoms inhabited by cold-water fish of little or 

 no commercial value. Below 350 to 400 fathoms the water is 

 extremely cold, mostly below 0° C. 



The International Hydrographic Innestigations. 



A very large number of température and other physical 

 observations on the seas of North-Western Europe hâve 

 recently been made under the auspices of the International 

 Council for the exploration of the sea from a fishery stand- 

 point. Thèse records extend .far out into the Atlantic and 



