TEANSACTIONS OF SECTION D. 763 



mimter obtained in 188G, and no notice was taken of tlie verj' large ininiber of 

 plaice captured by the liners. In 1888 twenty-five hauls gave 0,2111 saleable and 

 only r)94 unsaleable, and of the latter no less than 43G were dabs and 135 plaice. 

 In 1880 tbirty-tive bauls of the trawl gave 6,026 saleable and 1,00-4 unsaleable, 

 or a total of 7,030, a considerable diminution on the previous year. In 1890 thirty 

 hauls produced 0,421 saleable and 2,247 unsaleable, or a total of 8,608. Durino- 

 1891 ' thirtj'-three hauls gave 3,072 saleable and unsaleable 1,061, or a total of 5,333. 



These results were then contrasted with the condition of the bay in 1884, and 

 the dift'erences in regard to the fishes captured by the various kinds of trawl (large 

 and small) pointed out. The bay in 1884 contained a very considerable number 

 of iishes, notwithstanding that, so far as man could, it had been swept for many 

 years by fieets of sailing trawlers and by liners, and for several years by large steam- 

 trawlers. The closure of the bay has not been followed by tlie growth of teeming 

 multitudes of flat and round fishes ; but, as pointed out in the Trawling Ileport, 

 the large flat fishes occur mainly in the ofi'shore waters, the smaller forms 

 migrating outward as thej' grow older. Conversely the pelagic eggs, larvns, and 

 very .young are borne shorewards. In regard to the large captures of plaice by 

 the liners, it was explained that, having undisturbed possession of the bay, three 

 sets of lines are used, and special exertions made to procure bait. The local 

 benefits of the closure to the fishing community are undoubtedly great. 



The increase in our knowledge of the development and life-histories of the 

 British food-fishes was then dwelt on, and a list of these, for the first time hatched 

 and reared at the St. Andrews Marine Labor.itory, was given, together with others, 

 the eggs or young of which had been partially examined. Between fifty and sixty 

 species of fishes had been thus studied. Moreover, Last season the comparative 

 number of the various kinds of pelagic ova had been examined on the diiierent 

 areas in which the Garland worked. 



Another feature of the decade has been the agitation concerning mussels for 

 bait, an agitation arising from the increased price and diminished production. The 

 advantages of the bed-system of management were pointed out, and the failure of 

 the bouchot-system mentioned. 



The workers who have contributed to the increase of our knowledge of the 

 development and life-histories of fishes at St. Andrews were next alluded to — viz.. 

 Professor Prince, Mr. Holt, Professor Burdon-Sanderson, Mr. Gotch, Dr. Scharil", 

 Dr. Marcus Gunn, Profess(n- Cleland, Messrs. Pentland Smith, Teviotdale, Corbyn, 

 Oolliuge, and others. 



The valuable work done by the Fishery Board was then noticed, both in 

 connection witJi the Garland and other departments. Amongst those who have 

 published contributions to the annual reports are Professors Ewart, Greenfield, 

 and Stirling ; Messrs. Duncan Matthews and Calderwood : Dr. Fulton (the 

 scientific secretary of the Board), Dr. Fullerton, Dr. Beard, Dr, B. H. Mill, 

 Dr. Gibson, Messrs. Iloyle and llamsay Smith, Mr. Anderson Smith, and Mr. Thos. 

 Scott. 



Finally various suggestions were made for the improvement of the Scottish 

 fisheries in regard to marine food-fishes, mussels, and fresh-water fishes. 



2. On Sea Fislierles. Hij Professor J. CossAR Ewakt, F.E.S.E. 



3. On the Destruclion of Immature Fish, and a Discussion on Remedial 

 Measures. By the Staff of the Marine Biological Association. 



Paet I. Introductory Statement. • 



By W. L, Calderwood, Director M.B.A. Laboratory. 



The various conferences which have been held by tlie National Sea Fisheries 

 Protection Association, and by representatives of the fish trade alone, have all had 

 before them the question of the depletion of our sea fisheries. It has, in point of 

 fact, always formed one of the most important subjects under discussion. 

 ■ ' This year is available only by the courtesy of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



