31 



The fact that soles are on the increase is illustrated by the 

 next table of figures, and is also graphically represented by the 

 curve. 



VaK 



32,000 



28,ooo ~ 



2f,ooo 



20poo~ 



16,000 — 



!2,ooo- 



8,ooo 



1895 1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 

 Fig. 4. Value of Soles in £'s landed in the Lancashire 

 District during the period 1895-1903. 



This fish is undoubtedly caught in large quantities by 

 deep-sea sailing trawlers within the Irish Sea area, and there 

 can be little doubt that for the last few years this fish has 

 increased in the district. 



The curve exhibits a remarkably steady and rapid rise 

 with an exceptionally good year in 1898, which year it may 



