8 AUSTRALIAX FlSIIRKTES. 



The f(_>llo\vinL;- short n'],ort is intended to give a summary 

 of the principal restdts oI)tained liy the " Endeavour/" in 

 as far as thev have an inmieihate jiractical application: — 



TRAWLING GROUNDS. 



l'"r(»m charts it will be seen that surrounding- the Aus- 

 tralian continent is a narrow, suljmerged ledge of less than 

 lOO fathoms depth; this is known as the continental shelf 

 or plateau,, from the outer edge of which the bottom slopes 

 away more or less quickly towards the great ocean depths. 

 This shelf varies in width from less than lo miles to more 

 tl)an (oo, and it is within this area that trawling grounds 

 ma\' he looked for. 



Strong ocean currents sweep along the coasts, and dis- 

 tribute the hue bottom deposits variously, according to 

 conformation of the bottom and the coastline; eddies are 

 formed horizontally agamst the land, and vertically behind 

 shallow ledees. As a result hereof, the hotti^m is rough 

 and rockv opposite projecting htadlands, while in between 

 such places long stretches of sandy or nuiddy bottom are 

 met with. 



The principal trawling ground along the east coast (the 

 Pacific section) extends from near Port Stephens in New 

 South Wales, southwards past Sydney to Gabo Island; it 

 continues across the eastarn slope of Bass Strait, past 

 Flinders Island to Tasmania. it covers approximate!} 

 6,000 square miles, and is, as will be observed, within easy 

 access of the two principal markets (Sydney and Mel- 

 bourne). A central port is at Eden, in Twofold Bay, wiier.-, 

 if a cool store were estanushcd, a liase station could with 

 advantage l)e estal)lished, and smokehouses, etc., ke])t in 

 continuous operation. 



Another princi])al trawling grouml is situated along the 

 edge of the shelf in tb.e Great Australian Bight, and covers 

 an area of approximate!}- 4.000 square miles. The dcptli 

 varies from 80 to 300 fathoms, although the greater portion 

 is situated between ico and 200 fathoms. A few rock\- 

 ledges have l^-en met with, particularly in tlie eastern pov- 

 tion: ])ut, generally speaking, the l:)Ottom is very suitable for 

 trawling. Tj-iis ground is situated about half-way between 

 Adelaide and All)any, about two days" steaming from either, 

 ■ and from these two centres the .ther principal markets ma\- 

 be reached by train. The Cireat Austrahan Bight has, 

 amongst tr^ivellers, a bad repute as regards wcatlier, and 

 there is ample evidence to show that along the ordinarv 

 steamer route and southwards, heavy seas are often met 

 with: l)Ut tile trawling grounds here spoken of are situated 



