COMMITTEE B — DECEMBER 1903 ( 42 ) 
(8) Mr. Garsrane referred to the question of quantitative experiments on 
the distribution of eggs of the sole, and enquired of Dr. Hencxe whether he was 
prepared to commence operations under this head during the next year. 
Dr. Hencxe expressed regret that it had been impossible to begin this 
work last summer, owing to the “Poseidon’s” engagements. He was, however, 
prepared to begin operations in 1904. He would work quantitatively with Hexsen’s 
net, and qualitatively with the “Scherbrutnetz” which they had devised and success- 
fully employed at Heligoland. (See Appendix E). 
Dr. Repexe said that he would also fish for soles’ eggs in June, after the 
manner proposed by Dr. Heincre. un. 
Mr. GarsranG said that therefore in June Germany, Holland and England 
would make a quantitative investigation of soles’ eggs, and he hoped that Dr. 
Hencxe would draft a scheme for these investigations. 
Dr. Horx said that one point remained to be discussed, viz., the question 
of experiments with nets as proposed by Dr. Kyze for the Bureau. 
Dr. Kyze thought that all the members were already aware of the experi- 
ments proposed and of the ideas underlying them. The necessity for these experi- 
ments was well illustrated by the curves shown by Dr. Heıncke of the catches 
of whiting etc. made by the ordinary trawl. These curves stopped abruptly below a 
certain size and it was most desirable to know the proportion of fish under this 
size which were on the grounds investigated. He thought it most desirable to 
establish the percentage of undersized fish which escaped through the meshes of 
nets, and this could be done, as shown by Dr. Furron, by enveloping parts of the 
ordinary nets with fine netting. He thought they were unable to approach the 
over-fishing problems from this aspect until further knowledge had been gained of 
the actual fishing capacity of the net. He desired at present to suggest how these 
experiments might be organised. The work might be conveniently divided up, 
each country taking its own apparatus and ground. Mr. Garstane possessed a 
beam-trawl on the “Huxley”, and as that net was more suitable for certain exper- 
iments than the otter trawl, he would suggest that Mr. Garstane should take 
those in hand. Prof. Gitson might also be able to do similar experiments with the 
beam-trawl. Dr. Revexe had evidently skilful fishermen on the “Wodan” and he 
might take up special experiments with the otter trawl, and the effect of variations 
in the ground-rope. Dr. Hemere had designed some special nets, and perhaps he 
would kindly bring these also into the scheme. Dr. Perersen was also willing to 
make special experiments. Dr. Fuzrox would perhaps be able to make experiments 
with shrimp trawls on grounds where small flat fish were abundant. Experiments 
with new nets might be considered later. 
