44 Plaice Spawning Grounds data. 



latter end of May some were If inches ; but 3 to 4 inches was 

 the average size, intermingled with a moderate amount of a 

 larger sort. In June a few got of If inches, many others just 

 over 3 to 4 inches, and those from 5 inches and beyond quite 

 numerous. In August still a few were met with only 1| inches, 

 but the bulk of the catch in question were between 3 and 4 on 

 to over 7 inches long the latter very abundant. In mid- 

 September the few smallest observed were 2f inches, but by 

 far the greatest quantity passed through hands were between 6 

 to 10 inches in length. In November, of some 70 specimens 

 chosen for measurement, the least sized were 4| and the biggest 

 9 to 10J inches long. 



The fishermen are quite undecided regarding the plaice's 

 spawning grounds, for as they say the very smallest of the 

 brood are got less or more almost everywhere within their 

 fishing area. Howsoever, from what is known of the habits of 

 the plaice elsewhere, we are inclined to think the off-shore sands 

 and shelly banks (e.g., the Sunk, Long Sand, and Knock 

 John) will be found to be their breeding haunts. On this 

 point, of course, investigation is needed. 



All the data of authorities on fish and fisheries lead to these 

 conclusions : (a) That the plaice frequents deep water for 

 spawning purposes ; (6) that in the majority of instances this 

 is outside the three mile limit ; (c) as hatching occurs, and at 

 earliest stages, the young (larval and post-larval) fish gradually 

 descend from the surface water and ultimately make their way 

 shore wards or up estuaries ; (d) there they remain for a time, 

 forming communities or nurseries in company with small soles, 

 dabs, lemon-dabs, solenettes, and sometimes flounders ; (e) as the 

 plaice grow larger they again migrate seawards, and maturing 

 sojourn with the congregations of older breeding fish in the 

 deep water. 



The North Sea and Channel plaice are said to spawn January 

 to March, or even a month or six weeks later. Their period of 

 spawning in the Thames Estuary area can only be expressed 



