COUNCIL — SEPTEMBER 1922 — 38 — 



a) a study of the plankton in the looaHties where mackerel and pilchards occur, 

 as well as in neighbouring localities, obtained both by nets and by examining 

 the stomachs of the fish at all sizes, 



b) the collection of water samples for the determination of salinity, alkalinity 

 and other physical and chemical characteristics, 



c) an attempt to correlate the nature and abundance of the plankton with 

 the physical conditions, and the abundance of fish with both the plankton 

 and the physical conditions. 



3) A continuation of the study of the occurrence and distribution of the eggs, 

 larvae and young stages of the fishes, and of their food and enemies at each stage. 



4) The search for mackerel and pilchards in the stomachs of other fishes obtained 

 by ordinary trawling, longlining and other methods of fishing. This will throw 

 light not only on the enemies of the two fishes being studied, but ought also 

 to yield information as to the whereabouts of different growth stages which 

 are not at present known. 



5) The limits of the spawning periods and spawning areas of the fish in different 

 localities should be determined with the greatest possible exactness, and any 

 variations occurring from year to year in this respect should be ascertained. 



6) Examination of the condition of the fish at different seasons should be made 

 by means of chemical investigations of the different parts and organs of the 

 body, the variations in the amount of fat and of glycogen being specially studied. 



The above programme would depend chiefly upon the work of research 

 vessels and upon laboratory researches, but work in the markets and on com- 

 mercial vessels should also be carried out to ascertain the position of the shoals 

 and their movements from season to season. The collection of scales and otoliths 

 for age-determination and for observations on maturity together with the necessary 

 ichthyometric work, should also be carried out on a considerable scale in con- 

 nection with commercial fishing. 



Programme of the Cod and Haddock Committee. 



The Cod and Haddock Committee having considered and discussed the 

 work done by the participating countries in pursuance of its Programme of 1921, 

 reaffirms its adherence to that programme, and expresses the hope that researches 

 on these lines will be continued without interruption over a period of years suf- 

 ficiently long to yield definite results. 



