THE TRAWLING GROUNDS 



45 



the change which is taking place in the methods of fishing in the 

 Bristol Channel. 



Bristol Channel. Demersal Fish 

 percentage taken by various fishing vessels 



The English Channel has a potential trawling area of 25,200 sq. 

 miles. Its western boundary is the 100 metre line. A large pro- 

 portion of the fishing takes place in the shallow inshore waters, 

 and the area is for the most part exploited by small fishing vessels 

 of the second and third class. Soles, brill and turbot form the most 

 important part of their catch. In 1906 steam trawlers only landed 

 4-58 of the demersal fish taken from this region, and the first -class 

 sailing trawlers were responsible for 43-59 per cent. In 1913 the 

 position was not materially changed, the steamers landing 6-69 

 and the smacks 44-51 per cent. In 1906 the second and third-class 

 boats landed 46-87 per cent and in 1913, 41-20 per cent of the 

 demersal fish. 



The Biscayan grounds include a trawlable area of over 31,000 sq. 

 miles along the shores of the Bay of Biscay, from Ushant to Cape 

 Finisterre. Along the North of Spain the strip is very narrow, 

 comprising only 5464 sq. nules, the water rapidly deepening to 1000 

 fathoms. The chief fish is hake and it is probable, that apart from 

 this species, trawling on these grounds would prove to be unre- 

 munerative. In 1906 the steam trawlers landed 61,952 cwt. from 

 this area, of which 75 per cent were hake, in 1913 they landed 

 14,505 cwt., of which nearly 60 per cent were hake. 



Finally we come to the Portugal and Morocco regions, comprising 

 together 20,500 sq. miles. They consist of a very narrow band of 

 trawl grounds from Cape Finisterre in the north to about latitude 

 30° N. in the south. There are about 10,000 sq. miles off the coast 

 of Portugal and 10,500 ofE the coast of Morocco. Hake, soles, and 



