35 



Table 5. Estimated weights and numbers of the 



landings of plaice at Ostend for the years 1904, 1906, 1908 



and in total for tlie 5 years 1904 to 1908. 



similar in point of composition to the English landings from Area R)3, the steamer 

 landings alone being similar to the English catches from B2, and the landings from 

 sailing ships alone like those from As. This was to be expected. If we compare 

 the Belgian landings for 1908 with the German for 1909, we find a great similarity 

 between the sailing ship landings of the two countries, while the Belgian steamer lan- 

 dings contain considerably larger plaice than the German. Any comparison between 

 Belgium and Holland is rendered very difficult owing to the non-existence of a size- 

 limit in the latter country, and also on account of the insufficient market measurements 

 on both sides. We may however, with more or less certainty presume that the com- 

 position of the Dutch and Belgian landings from sailing ships, fishing exclusively in the 

 southern coastal regions, is, making allowance for the quite small plaice, which are 

 unmarketable in Belgium, the same, and very similar to that of the German sailing 

 ships. It is characteristic of these landings from sailing vessels, that even with a size-limit 

 of 18 cm. we yet find 50 7o and more of the plaice landed measuring under 25 cm. 

 From this point of view it should be noted that tlie results of the catch statistics 



5' 



