SEA-FiSttEitlES LABORATORY. &5l 



for the year in the month of August. The fish present 

 at this time are probably those resulting from the same 

 year's spawning. Then when the temperature of the 

 sea falls whiting become less abundant, and a minimum is 

 reached in December and January. 



6. Occurrence of large Plaice at New Quay. 



Two hauls made by Mr. E. Williams, the Bailiff 

 stationed at New Quay, are of interest as shewing that 

 large and mature plaice are not necessarily confined to 

 comparatively deep water, but may occur close in shore. 

 The hauls were : — 



Tth March, 1905. — Off New Quay head, four miles 



N.E.: — 



Fish Caught. 



Plaice : 80, 23in. to 7in. in length. 

 Brills : 2, 19in. to 16in. in length. 

 Whitings : 15, 18in. to 14in. in length. 

 Skates : 2, 19in. in length. 



27th March, 1905. — Near the same place: — 

 Soles : 5, 14in. to 12in. in length. 

 Plaice : 30, 17in. to 8in. in length. 

 Whitings : 6, lOin. to loin, in length. 

 Skates : 7, 12m. to 8in. in length. 



That large and mature plaice occur only sporadically 

 in inshore waters is due, I think, to the fact that such 

 large fish are necessarily few in number, and are easily 

 fished out in comparison with those of smaller size, and 

 not to any necessary connection between the habits of 

 the fish and the depth of water. 



