Holt — Survey of Fishing Grounds, West Coast of Ireland. 455 



The results were as follows : — 



Outside the Limits. 



Ordinary Net, 2 hours. 



12 Grey Gurnard, mature. 



2 Anglers. 



1 Cod, mature. 



1 Haddock, mature. 



1 Whiting, mature. 



3 Hake, mature. 



3 Long Eough Dabs, mature. 



2 Brill, mature. 



2 "Witch, mature. 

 23 Plaice, immature. 

 6 Lemon Dab, mature. 

 125 Pole Dab, mature. 

 28 Common Dab, mature. 

 2 Common Sole, mature. 

 2 Conger, large 

 2 Skates and Eays. 

 2 Spotted Dogs. 



Patent Net, 2 hours. 



1 Brill, mature. 



2 Common Dab, mature. 



Inside the Limits. 



Ordinary Net, 2 hours. 



18 Grey Gurnard, mature. 



1 Brill, mature. 



12 Plaice, immature, 9 to 11 inches. 

 8 Lemon Dab, mature. 

 67 Common Dab, mature. 

 3 Common Sole, mature. 



2 Eays. 



Patent Net, 1 hour. 



1 Grey Gurnard, mature. 

 1 Turbot, mature. 

 7 Plaice, immature, 12 inches. 

 1 Lemon Dab, mature. 

 14 Common Dab, mature. 

 1 Common Sole, mature. 

 1 Conger, large. 

 3 Eays. 



These were the only instances in which the two trawls were specially tested against 

 each other on the same lines. I think that as to the general efficiency of the two nets 

 the results may be allowed to speak for themselves. In the Inver Bay experiments, 

 however, I cannot help thinking that the difference in the catches depends upon 

 something more than the difference of the nets used. The results in Blacksod Bay are 

 fairly equal. 



As regards the efficiency of the Patent Net, for its special object, that of avoiding 

 the capture of small fish, it may be advisable to say a few words. The Patent Net 

 never caught an immature Sole. During the whole survey only 33 immature Soles 

 were caught, and 2 of these were taken in the Shrimp Net, so that the ordinary trawl 

 would not appear to be very destructive to the immature members of this species, or 

 else the immature forms are uncommon on the ordinary trawling grounds. I think, 

 however, that the explanation lies either in the extraordinary agility of the Sole, and 

 its power of wriggling out through any possible loop-hole of escape. In the case of 

 Turbot and Brill, it is not reasonable to suppose that any net wiR retain only the 

 mature examples of these forms, which reach maturity at 18 and 15 inches respectively, 

 but it may be supposed that, on perfectly clean ground, the one net would retain a 

 smaller proportion of very small ones than the other. In regard to Plaice it does not 



