- 114 - 



If we now first of all consider the average numbers of the small cod for all years 

 (fig. 43), it appears, that the average catch everywhere within the true North Sea 

 differs very little from the average 7 kg. per hour of fishing. It seems to be somewhat 

 smaller near the Great Fisher Bank, but the difference is never great. On the othei 

 hand, we find much higher numbers at the Shetlands and west of the Orkney Isles, 

 namely up to 20 kg. In the Iceland catches the average amounted to 22 kg. and at the 

 Faeroes not less than 83 kg. per hour of fishing. 



In the best month, see fig. 44, the average catch was almost doubled, both in the 

 deep northern part of the North Sea Bank and also west of the line Shetland — Hebrides. 



The large cod also show but small deviations from the average, 12 kg. per hour 

 of fishing, in the different parts of the true North Sea Bank (see fig. 45). On the other 

 hand, the catches west of Scotland are as much as five time as great — 60 kg. At the 

 Faeroes the catches were on an average 84, and at Iceland even 350 kg. In the best 

 month (see fig. 46) somewhat larger catches may occur in the North Sea itself, both in the 

 central part and in the neighbourhood of the coasts. The catches west of Scotland increase 

 relatively much more than those in the North Sea, namely, up to 150 kg. per hour of 

 fishing; at the Faeroes catches of 327 on an average and at Iceland even 758 kg. per 

 hour of fishing occur. These catches at Iceland are thus 63 times as great as the 

 average of the North Sea catches. 



A comparison between the averages for the whole series of years and of the best 

 months displays no inconsiderable fluctuations, and the investigation which D'Arcy Thompson 

 has made on the monthly catches from the different regions is therefore 

 very interesting. The results of this investigation for various important fishing grounds 

 are represented graphically in curves, specially for the "cod" and "codling", which show 

 the fluctuation in the catches during the period from 1901— 1906. 



The curves for the "codling" show in general a less regular seasonal variation than 

 the curves for the "cod". A rise in the weight of small cod (codling) is noticeable at the 

 Shetlands in summer, as also an autumn or winter maximum both in the deeper parts 

 of the North Sea and on the east coast of Scotland and in the area of the Great Fisher 

 Bank. There is a double maximum on the Scottish coasts, west, north and east coasts, 

 one in summer and one in winter. 



The seasonal variations are much more marked in the large cod ("cod" class). 

 We find here a winter maximum on the north-west coast of Scotland and in the Skager 

 Rak. A spring maximum occurs on the west coast of Scotland, in the Irish Sea, on the 

 east coast of Scotland, on the Great Fisher Bank and in the southern part of the North 

 Sea. See fig. 47 from the Scottish statistics. Area XXIX on the east coast of Scotland 

 with distinct maxima in the months of March and April. In the summer, on the other 

 hand, we have here just as distinct a maximum in the central, deep part of the North 

 Sea. See fig. 48 for the "Witch Ground" with maxima in the months of July- 

 October. 



As will be remembered, the conditions were the reverse in the case of the haddock. 



