CAPTUKES BY LTNERS AND TRAWLERS, 1897. 93 



though the value was £1,639 above that of 1896. Lemon-dabs 

 showed a trifling decrease, as also did flounders, plaice and brill. 

 Skate showed an increase of 3,379 cwts. and £3,188, and other 

 kinds of fishes showed the slight diminution of 264 cwts., but 

 an increase in money of £76. The year, therefore, was an 

 average one, and the variations were probably in a large 

 measure due to the weather. 



Of flat fishes the trawlers secured 71,808 cwts. = £108,454, 

 a considerable diminution on the totals of the preceding year, 

 viz. of 18,844 cwts. and £16,041, a result, as regards weight, 

 less than any year since 1889, the period at which the statistics 

 began. The value, however, has been considerably enhanced, 

 and therefore the total is only less than the two preceding 

 years. Turbot were less than in the preceding year by 410 cwts. 

 and £540, and lemon-dabs by 5,355 cwts. and £5,989, while 

 flounders, plaice and brill showed the serious diminution of 

 14,156 cwts. and £10,299. There was a large increase last year 

 on the results of 1895 under this head, so that the reduction 

 was comparatively sudden. Whether, as suggested in the 

 Report of the Fishery Board, the new otter-trawls capture 

 more round than flat fishes, or there has been a lack of atten- 

 tion to this department remains to be seen. Certainly in 

 inshore waters plaice-fishing has not been prosecuted during 

 the year with the usual energy, but whether this was the result 

 of scarcity of fishes or pre-occupation with more remunerative 

 work is unknown. The closure of the inshore sandy areas places 

 the supply of plaice from 7 to 13 inches or more in the hands of 

 the liners, and there can be no question as to the great diminu- 

 tion of this class of food since the waters were closed. The liner 

 can capture a considerable number, but only by the exercise 

 of energy, and he has the market in his hands. Lately a 

 slackness of operations in the inshore (closed) waters has been 

 apparent, though these have been specially reserved for the 

 benefit of the liner. The boats everywhere push out beyond 

 the limits to compete with the trawler in the open sea ; while 

 the smaller inshore fishes are left to themselves. So far as the 

 operations of the " Garland " can be relied on, and they are 

 trustworthy in regard to St Andrews Bay, there are as many 



