of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



21 



per haul of the net was 103 "7, the average number of round-fishes (cod, 

 haddock, whiting, and gurnard) 34*7, and the average of fishes of all 

 kinds 176*9. Among flat-fishes the average for plaice was 1*5, for 

 lemon soles 7*2, for witch soles 41 *7. Common dabs gave an average of 

 14-9, and long rough dabs an average of 36 5. Other species of flat- 

 fishes were taken in small numbers, including, for all the hauls, a total 

 of 60 black soles. Among round-fishes gurnards were most numerous, 

 giving an average of 22-3 per haul. The average for cod was only 1, 

 and for haddocks 2 ; whiting were somewhat more abundant, the 

 average being 9*4. The average for skates of the various species was 6. 



Comparison of the results obtained in the various years in which 

 trawling investigations have been conducted in the Clyde shows that, 

 taking all the stations together and all the kinds of fish, the average 

 number per haul of the net has generally increased over the period 

 comprised. In 1888 the general average was 109*7 per haul; in 1890 it 

 was 99-5 per haul; in 1895 it was 113-4; in 1896 it was 120*7; in 1897, 

 112-5; in 1898, 189*3 ; and in 1899, 176-9. The averages for the two 

 groups of flat-fishes and round-fishes show that there has been a fairly 

 steady rise in the former and considerable fluctuation in the latter. 

 The figures are as follows : — 





1888. 



1890. 



189 5. 



1896. 



1897. 



1898 



1899. 



Fiat-Fishes, - 



61-2 



61-1 



64-7 



75-5 



84-8 



94-7 



103-7 



Round-Fishes, 



44-7 



35-1 



43-6 



351 



27-8 



499 



34-7 



The increase in the average number of flat-fishes appears whether the 

 figures for the whole year are taken or the comparison is restricted to 

 the same months, with one exception, namely, December, when more 

 fishes of all kinds, except common dabs, were taken in 1898 than in 

 1899. 



Comparison of the statistics relating to the various species of flat - 

 fishes shows that the increase over the period has been principally in 

 witches and long rough dabs. The averages are as follows: — 





1888. 



1890. 



1895. 



1896. 



1897. 



1898. 



1899. 



Plaice, - 



5-3 



3-4 



2-3 



2-1 



2-5 



3-0 



1-5 



Lemon Soles, - 



7-4 



5-6 



2-8 



7-2 



5-3 



4-1 



7-2 



Witches, - 

 Common Dabs, 



12-7 



19-7 



25-7 



35-9 



471 



36-5 



41-7 



23-8 



13-8 



14-0 



15-7 



12-7 



13-6 



14-9 



Long Rough Dabs 



5-3 



17-7 



20-0 



15-1 



16-8 



37-3 



36-5 



The same result is shown when the averages of the comparable months 

 are considered, with the exception of December 1898, witches and long 

 rough dabs indicating a substantial increase and plaice a diminution. 

 Common dabs appear also to have diminished in abundance. 



The trawling investigations in Upper Loch Fyne were not commenced 

 until 1896, and there is not, therefore, the same material for comparison 



