RAPPORTS. XIV: MASTERMAN — 4 — 



The average length of voyage of English steam trawlers (1906—8) for the whole 

 North Sea has been calculated l , and is shown to vary between 7.5 days and 5.25 days. 

 If the mean be expressed by 100, then the limits are from 87 to 115. 



These variations show a seasonal character of great regularity with a maximum in 

 February and a minimum in August. 



The reason for this regular seasonal fluctuation is not very obvious and, although it is not 

 of an excessive nature, its possible effect upon the monthly catch per diem must be borne in mind. 



The same feature seems to hold generally for other regions than that of the North 

 Sea (Appendix Table l). 



For Iceland and south of Ireland the regular fluctuations are much in evidence. In 

 the former case the length of voyage varies from 29 - l to 197 days, in the latter from 

 ll - 4 to 7'6 days. In Faroe and West of Scotland the variations are fairly wide but do 

 not show the same degree of seasonal regularity. 



It the similar figures be obtained for the areas of the North Sea (App. Table 2), in 

 nearly every area a distinct seasonal variation in length of voyage is found, although 

 the actual fluctuation is seldom any great proportion of the mean. The largest are 

 found in areas D 2 , E, and F : which on account of their large size, give greater possibilities 

 within their limits for variations in fishing centres. 



The areas B 3 B 4 B s C 2 and E show a seasonal fluctuation of a like nature in its 

 general character to that for the whole North Sea. In 1908 the demersal fish caught from 

 these areas by English Steam trawlers represents about 47 % of the total for the North Sea. 



Areas B 2 Ci and D r have a minimum voyage in autumn and winter and a fairly 

 regular and steady voyage for the rest of the year. In 1908 these areas contributed 16 % 

 of the total fish landed by English steam trawlers. 



In areas F r and D 2 there is an autumn maximum and spring or early summer 

 minimum. These areas contributed about 18 % of the total demersal fish landed in 

 1908 by English steam trawlers. 



Area B x (Dogger Bank) shows a maximum in February, as in the whole North Sea. 

 It shows, however, a slow gradual decline till autumn and sudden increase to the 

 maximum. The fish caught in this area in 1908 by English ist Class vessels was just 

 under 9%. 



A comparison of the proportionate landings from each of these areas or groups of 

 areas shows that half the landings are from the areas with a seasonal fluctuation 

 similar to that for the whole North Sea, whereas 34% is evenly divided between two 

 groups of areas with seasonal fluctuations in length of voyage more or less comple- 

 mentary to each other. The factors determining the character of the curve for the North 

 Sea are therefore to be sought in the areas B 3 B 4 B 5 C 2 and E. Area E lies in deep 

 water towards the north of the North Sea region whereas the others are along or lying 

 off the South Eastern continental shores. 



The three areas (B 2 C r and D,) with an autumn and winter minimum lie along the 

 English coast, in the neighbourhood of the large fishing ports. No clear relation seems 

 to exist between the average length of voyage in each of these groups of areas, and 

 altogether it may be said that the causes of seasonal fluctuations in length of voyage 

 are obscure. They may depend upon certain details of the method of fishing or possibly 



1 Report of English Board of Agric. and Fisheries, 1908. 



