SCIENTIFIC WORK IN THE SEA-FISHERIES. 261 



fathoms is meant, that is just what Dabs do, and the young 

 may be reared there — in marked contrast to the Plaice, as was 

 pointed out in 1884. Turbot and Brill extend over the greater 

 part of the North Sea, yet the Turbot is at its minimum in his 

 squares at the spawning season. Its wide distribution is probably 

 a guarantee for its safety. 



Taken all in all this contribution is of a different type from 

 the preceding papers of the Scotch Board in this ' Blue Book.' 

 It is true most of the points of importance in regard to the flat- 

 fishes were previously known, and it would sometimes appear 

 that the check of actual work in the sea itself, and close contact 

 with the fishermen, lead to misinterpretations. While interest- 

 ing, moreover, it does not deal directly with the great question 

 handed over to the Scotch Board to solve, but it furnishes sup- 

 port to the views in the ' Resources of the Sea,' since it shows 

 that the total average of pounds per hour of fishing was : — 



In 1901 21-2 lb. 



1903 21-7 lb. 



Of the other fisheries papers which the International Investi- 

 gations have produced few are of greater interest than an elaborate 

 contribution by Dr. H. M. Kyle, " On the Statistics of the Sea- 

 Fisheries in the Countries of Northern Europe." Briefly, these 

 show that there is no decrease in the total quantities over this 

 very wide field, though it is possible the average size of certain 

 adults may be reduced, yet the intermediate stages of the Plaice 

 and the Haddock have increased. He finds the total quantities 

 of fish of all kinds landed in the North Sea ports in 1000 kilos. 

 (1 cwt.=50*8 kilos., 1 ton = 1000 kilos, about) are: — 



For 1902 575,255. 



1903 940,739. 



Of these totals about fifty per cent, arises from the Herring 

 fisheries. 



Again, the much vexed Plaice-fishery of the North Sea pro- 

 duced, in 1902, 43,339,000 kilograms (1 kilo. =2*2 lb.), whereas 

 in 1903 it was 83,958,000 kilos., but from the latter a deduction 

 for Plaice brought from other grounds brings the total to 

 45,000,000 kilos. — still considerably above that of the previous 

 year. Dr. Kyle points out that the intensity of fishing in the 

 offshore grounds is but a fraction of what it is in the inshore 



