SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY. 149 



Prevalent Lengths of Plaice on the Various Grounds. 



There is do need to consider the data of these tables in 

 the present place — they are intended as a permanent record 

 and can be used in many conceivable ways. Here we only 

 point out some of the more obvious characters of the fish taken 

 on the regions investigated. 



Luce Bay. 



One-half of all the plaice taken were over 21 and under 

 34 cms. in length and another 15 per cent, were over 34 cms. 

 and under 40-5 cms. These are the biggest fish taken in any 

 inshore area on the eastern side of the Irish Sea. Why ? 



It is to be noted that observations were only made during 

 the months of September to December. The hauls were made 

 with the object of getting spawning fish for the hatcheries at 

 Port Erin and Piel, and the Bay was fished by permission of the 

 Fishery Board for Scotland. As we have no records for the 

 other months it is impossible to say whether or not there is 

 any marked seasonal variation. 



The Bay is well protected from S.W. to N.W. winds, and 

 this may be a condition of importance. But we think that 

 the reason why there are bigger plaice in Luce Bay than else- 

 where in the district studied is mainly that the region is closed 

 against trawling by all kinds of vessels. Only a small amount 

 of fishing, by means of gill-nets, goes on, and the plaice are 

 protected. Luce Bay is a closed area, and it is interesting on 

 that account. 



The New Quay (I rounds in Cardigan Bay. 



Inside the three-miles' limit, and extending to the N.E. 

 for several miles along the coast of Cardigan Bay, are the 

 New Quay grounds. Here also are relatively large plaico 

 during the early months of the year. They are not so abundant 



