SEA-FISHERIES LABORATORY 



155 



The numbers of mature female plaice caught per hour's 

 trawling* were as follows : — 



On the " Shoals " : in February, 8-5 ; March. 5-2 ; April, 7-9. 



On the " Slaughter " : in February, 8-9 ; March, 9-4. 



On the southern part of the " Slaughter " : in February, 4*8 ; March, 

 30 ; April, 6-3. 



South from the " Slaughter " : in February, 5-9 ; April, 2-2. 

 The proportions of the female fish taken in the mature 

 condition on the various grounds were as follows :— 



(1) On the " Shoals " : February, 1G % ; March, 31 % ; April, 64 %. 



(2) On the : ' Slaughter " : February, 86 % ; March, 81 % ; April, 37 %. 



The sizes and ages of the fish dissected on board the 

 vessel are given in the three following tables — which are of 

 much interest : — 





Sizes and Ages q, 



f the Female Plaice Examined. 





1 

 Length (cms.). IV V 



VI VII VIII 



IX 



X XI 



XII 



25-30 .... 



l 







... , ... 











31-36 .... 



•> 



1 















36-40 ... 





7 

















41-45 .... 



1 6 



9 3 2 

















46-50 .... 





5 3 











51-55 .... 





2 ... 1 



1 



1 



2 











56-60 























61-66 .... 















1 





1 





Sizes and Lengths of the Male Fish Examined. 



Lengths (cms.). 



Ill 



IV 



VI 



25-30 



1 



1 











31-35 







1 









36-40 





2 



6 



1 







* By an otter trawl-net of about 40 feet in spread. 



