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APPENDIX J: ENGLAND 



turbot seems a sign of their general accuracy. The great fall, in 1901 and 1902, of the 

 quantities for the east coast under "prime fish not separately distinguished" would imply, 

 however, some uncertainty with regard to the returns of prime fish for previous years. It 

 is possible, that is to say, that the quantities of prime fish were really greater in those 

 years than recorded, and in any case, it does not seem probable than they were any less. 

 With regard to the species other than "prime" i. e. the "offal", it has first to be re- 

 marked, that the separate enumeration of the plaice began in 1888 and of the halibut in 

 1890. Consequently, the quantities given under "other fish" are very large during the 

 period 1886 — 1890. Even when these two species and the hake were separately distinguished, 

 the quantities of "other fish" still remained considerable and greatly increased up to 1901. 

 During 1902, further species were separated out from this group, viz. conger-eels, dabs, 

 gurnards, lemon soles, skates and rays, and whiting. For the sake of comparison, the 

 quantities and values of these species, for 1902, have been still retained with "not disting- 

 uished fish" in Tables LXIV and LXV, but separated out, they are as follows: 



Table LX.TI. Quantities (in cwts.) and values (in £) of the nained species, landed In England during 1902 



The species not yet distinguished, form still a very important portion of the returns, 

 their value in 1902 coming sixth in the list between the sole and mackerel. The names 

 of these species are not given, but the most important are probably the witches and megrims. 

 These are deep-sea species, and, as Fulton has pointed out with regard to the Scottish 

 trawlers (see page 115), trawling has spread out so much into the deeper waters within 

 the last few years, that the quantities of these species now landed have an appreciable 

 effect on the returns. This would apply more especially to the east coast. 



The returns for the species distinguished also show signs of the greater area over 

 which trawling has gradually spread. 



The quantities landed of the cod and plaice, have increased enormously and this 

 increase may be ascribed chiefly to the fishing at the Faeroes and Iceland, but in great part 

 also to the increased amount of fishing in the nothern parts of the North Sea. The in- 

 crease in the take of halibut may be due in part to the same cause, but the liaers more 

 than the trawlers are responsible for this species. On the other hand, the increase in the 

 quantities of hake within the later years, and of the cod in part, is due to the spread of 

 fishing southwards to the Bay of Biscay and to the west coast generally. 



