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micro-organisms were also taken and closing nets for micro-plankton were em- 

 ployed on each station. The surface was fished for fish fry and animal plankton. 

 It is intended to repeat this investigation of the Lofoten waters for at least 

 six years in the hope that thus may be got an insight into: 



1) The reason why the fish shows marked predilection for a certain part 

 of the possible spawning area, one year keeping mostly to the eastern, another 

 mostly to the western part of the Lofot bank. 



2) The fluctuation in the effective richness of each year-class of fry, whether 

 this is due to the presence or absence of suitable food for the fry at the time the 

 bulk of eggs begin to hatch. 



6. Fishing for early bottom stages with finemeshed nets, or covered nets, to deter- 

 mine area of distribution. 



7. Quantitative hauls with standard gear at centres of density, to determine 

 variation from year to year in the abundance of the first and second year groups, 

 with a view to investigating whether there is any connection between the 

 numbers of such young fish and the subsequent catches of larger fish by com- 

 mercial vessels. This is of special importance in the case of haddock and may 

 not be feasible with cod. 



Scotland. 6 — 7) Quantitative hauls with standard gear have been made at 

 various centres with the object of census work on the various year broods. In 

 this relation, the covering of small-meshed net on the cod-end of the otter trawl 

 was used at those localities where the youngest year classes were likely to be present. 



8. Measurements at sea on commercial vessels of unselected catches of cod and 

 haddock distinguishing retained and rejected. 



England. 8) Measuring work at sea on commercial trawlers has been con- 

 tinued by a staff of 8 or 9 measures. Haddock data are sent to Scotland in ex- 

 change for cod data. 



Scotland. 8) Four Fish Measurers have been working regularly at sea on 

 commercial vessels and the records obtained are abstracted as arranged by the 

 English Department. 



9. Study of market statistics. 



Denmark. 9) The distribution of Haddock in the North Sea has been studied 

 for two years (1913 and 1919) by means of distribution of catch in the new rect- 

 angular areas. 



England. 9) The distribution of cod in the North Sea has been studied by 

 means of the statistical returns, arranged in the new rectangular areas. This treat- 

 ment has yielded definite results as to both the distribution and movements of 

 the fish, which alone would be adequate to justify the change of system. 



10. Study of the food and feeding habits of cod and haddock. Competing species. 



5 



