COUNCIL — APRIL 1912 — APPENDIX D — 84 — 



over the ground. In this way great numbers of small fish, especially haddock and 

 whiting, were destroyed. The Swedish research steamer had made trawling experi- 

 ments with a similar net. It was suggested, that it would be desirable to have 

 experiments of a like nature made in other quarters. The destruction of small 

 fish would appear to be especially heavy at the times when only few herrings are 

 to be found, as for instance in June. The fishermen had suggested a compulsory 

 breadth of mesh of 4 cm. as a means of preventing this. 



Dr. Masterman stated, that statistics had in England been compiled giving 

 the amount of herrings caught by trawlers since 1905: these amounted now to 

 about 5 to 6 °/o of the total number of herrings taken. A particularly important 

 landing place for herrings caught by trawl was Milford, on the west coast. From 

 there they went by way of Grimsby to the Continent. Herrings, and also mackerel, 

 when caught by trawlers, were often thrown overboard again, as it was known 

 that these fish would not realise a reasonable price as compared with the other 

 of the same species caught by other means. Various investigations by means of 

 steamers used for the purpose were contemplated carried out in English waters 

 during the months from July to November. Specimens of herrings were to be 

 examined every fortnight with regard to amount of fat, maturity, age, etc. Experi- 

 ments were also to be made with regard to drift net fishing, in order to determine 

 what younger forms were to be found on their fishing grounds. Investigations as 

 to contents of the stomach and as to plankton were also contemplated. 



In French waters a midwater trawl was also used for herring fishing. 



Mr. Jones stated, that the Scottish nets had a mesh size of % l U to 2 x /2 cm. 

 at the cod end, with a length of 60 feet. Herrings were caught in trawls to the 

 value of about 100,000 shillings; those caught on the Atlantic side being better 

 than those from the North Sea. They were not, however, all suitable for salting, 

 and their value was altogether small. The best season for the fishing was on the 

 Atlantic grounds early summer, in the North Sea the time after the great herring 

 fishing. Night trawling was not very successful. 



Dr. Hjort inquired where in the North Sea or in the Atlantic herrings could 

 be caught by trawling at the beginning of June. Several ling had from time to 

 time been caught on the continental shelf of the Atlantic with herrings in their 

 stomachs. He also requested that specimens of small herrings caught with the 

 trawl during the investigations, should be sent to his laboratory. 



Dr. Trybom observed that it had been proved that also herrings could be 

 caught in the Baltic with the trawl. 



Prof. Pettersson recommended that proper trawls, as used in Sweden, should 

 be employed during the investigation. 



