SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. TF 
parts of these fishes contained 72-5 % of water, 19-5 % of protein, 
and 7-1 °% of fat. On the whole, this analysis corresponds well 
with that of Manx Summer herring at about the beginning 
and end of the fishing season, when the fish are in relatively 
poor condition, but the American fishes would be relatively 
of low food value when compared with the Summer-caught 
Manx fish in best condition ; probably also with fresh Summer- 
caught herrings; and also with some Summer-caught Hast 
Coast fish. Then we have Milroy’s Analyses of East and West 
Coast Summer and Winter-caught herrings,* where the com- 
position of the fish is considered most carefully m respect to 
their reproductive phases. Here too, we find very marked 
variations in the energy-values according to the season of 
_ capture. ; 
Obviously a “ flat’ rate of composition cannot be com- 
puted and used to convert quantities landed into food values. 
The only reasonably accurate method seems to me to be that 
‘suggested in relation to the Manx herring fisheries: the com- 
position in each month, and main fishing region, must be found 
and weighted by the relative quantities landed in respect to 
those months and regions. 
The whole relevancy of this discussion is this: all at once 
the question of the potential food resources of the United 
Kingdom became one of some significance. Now no public 
department, nor other local authority, was so equipped as to 
be able to provide statistical and scientific data such 
as would enable anyone to supply the information required. 
For some years back (since about 1908) statistics of fish landed 
have been greatly improved, and the information is probably 
adequate for the purpose for which it was designed—the study 
of the fluctuations of the fishing industry in relation to the 
regions exploited. But, as we have seen, this information 
** The Food Value of the Herring,’ Ann. Repts. Fishery Board for 
Scotland, Pt. 111; Rept. for 1905, pp. 83-107 (1906) ; Rept. for 1906, pp. 197- 
208 (1907). 
