SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 185 



It is certain, nevertheless, from our observations, 

 that there are considerable differences of temperature in 

 the sea along the coasts of Lancashire and Wales, and 

 that the rate of heating and cooling at different places is 

 not the same from year to year. Neither are the 

 minimum and maximum temperatures the same from 

 year to year, nor are the dates of the minima and 

 maxima always the same. 



The fishery statistics again show distinct differences 

 from year to year (1) with respect to the quantity of fish 

 caught per day's fishing, and (2) with respect to the dates 

 of maximum catches. But no definite relation between 

 these two kinds of variation (temperature and fishery 

 statistics) can yet be established. Possibly, however, 

 the existing data, when they have been accumulated for 

 a much longer time, will enable us to show some such 

 relationship. All the data on which conclusions might 

 be based are kept and published. 



II. Fish Measurements and Examinations. 



During the year 1912, 30 samples of plaice have 

 been examined in the Liverpool Laboratory. The 

 examination includes (1) length measurements, (2) 

 weights, (3) sex and age determinations. 



Altogether 127 samples, including 10,672 plaice, 

 have now been examined. 



The series of samples are satisfactory with regard to 

 two fisheries : (1) the summer plaice fishery off the coast 

 of North Lancashire, and (2) the winter plaice fishery off 

 the coast of North Wales. These samples were collected 

 by the S.S. " James Fletcher." 



The samples received from the other parts of the 

 district are as yet too few to be of much use, and we 

 think it best to draw no conclusions from them. 



