COMMITTEE B — JULY 1905 ( 66) 
for any conclusions of a quantitative nature. The method of investigating an area 
quantitatively by experimental hauls could only be used with safety if the hauls 
were numerous and extended regularly over the whole area, the requisite number 
being determined by the degree of uniformity shown to exist in the hauls from 
similar parts of the area. Taking plaice as an example it was shown that those 
hitherto measured on the steamer amounted roughly to one fish for every 17 square 
miles of the area investigated. Further than this a wide disparity of results was 
seen in instances, of which some were quoted, of different hauls on the same 
ground. He therefore considered that, whilst the research steamers had done 
valuable work of a qualitative nature, extreme caution was required in deducing 
any definite conclusions of a quantitative kind. With respect to the value of trans- 
plantation to the Dogger Bank, he quoted Mr. Garsrane to the effect that the one 
essential condition for success of such an experiment lay in a comparative scarcity 
of local trawling on the Dogger during the summer months. In the English Fishery 
Department the returns of Enelish vessels fishing on the Dogger Bank during 
1903 and 1904 had been extracted and they did not lend any support to this 
assumption. Whilst there was apparently some indication (in Mr. Garstane’s 
report), that certain plaice transplanted to the Dogger showed a rapid rate of 
growth, he felt there were still difficulties in accepting the practical applicability 
of a scheme of transplantation on a large scale. He went on to urge the neces- 
sity for the collection of accurate commercial statistics as the only sure basis upon 
which to found quantitative estimates of the North Sea Fish fauna. : 
Prof. Hemcxe agreed with Dr. Masrerman as to the necessity of statistical 
data, but held that scientific investigations on the trawling grounds were equally 
necessary. ; 
Dr. Petersen, referring to previous criticisms, reminded the Committee that 
the rapid growth of the transplanted plaice was now a solid fact, and that this 
successful work of the Convener had been accomplished in spite of the scepticism 
expressed during the meeting of the Committee at Amsterdam. 
Mr. Garstane thanked the members and Dr. Masrerman for the expression 
of their views. With reference to Prof. Hrıncrr’s remarks he fully agreed as to 
