68 



THE SEA FISHERIES 



m 1906 to 2-09 in 1913. In 1906 the proportion per cent of large 

 North Sea plaice was 36-00, in 1913 it had fallen to 20-33. In the 

 same period small plaice increased from 31-56 to 43-13 per cent. 



English Steam Trawlers in the North Sea 



North Sea Plaice 



Proportion per cent. 



The destruction of these small plaice is confined to about four 

 areas in the North Sea, as will be seen on reference to the detailed 

 table below. 



Percentage of small plaice landed by steam trawlers in England 

 and Wales from certain areas in the North Sea for the period 

 1906-10. 



Eastern grounds (A3) 

 Dutch outer grounds (B3) . 

 Eastern grounds (outer) (B4) 

 East of Dogger (C2) . 



I9I0 



85-79 

 68-60 



79-22 



3478 



Before we pass on to consider the recommendations of the Inter- 

 national Council for the exploration of the North and neighbouring 

 seas, for the protection of the plaice fisheries of the North Sea, it is 

 indispensable to refer briefly to an important investigation carried 



