V2 



Part III. — Twenty-third Annual Report 



October on certain grounds lying oft' the coast of Norway, and 

 about 190 miles 1ST. by E. of Aberdeen. The previous description 

 appeared in the bulletin (Publications de Circonstance) of the 

 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. The fact 

 that the cod, whose great spawning-time, as is well known, is in 

 spring, should also spawn in autumn is of interest. It has been 

 shown, moreover, that the temperature of the water at the grounds 

 referred to when spawning occurs is the lowest for the year. 



Investigation on the Herring in the Firth of Clyde. 



In connection with the winter herring fishing at Ballantrae 

 Bank, off the coast of Ayr, arrangements were made for an 

 investigation of the conditions of the fishing in relation to the 

 operation of the Bye-law, No. 18, by which the use of the seine for 

 the capture of herrings within a defined area there is prohibited. No 

 fishing however took place last year. Only one trial was made by 

 a single boat, and the catch was only about seven hundred small 

 herrings. The " appearances " of herrings were not favourable, 

 and the market prices, as given in the newspapers, were so low 

 that the men did not think it worth while to start the fishing and 

 give up the cod-net and line fishing. That there were herrings on 

 the Bank was shown by their presence in the stomachs of cod and 

 saithe, as reported by the Fishery Officer, and by the coating of 

 herring spawn on the cod nets. 



An investigation is also being made on the herrings in other 

 parts of the Firth of Clyde, more especially in Lochfyne, where 

 monthly observations are made on the temperatures, the abundance 

 of herring-food, &c, and. marking experiments have been instituted 

 to determine, if possible, the migratory movements of the herrings. 



General Index to the Scientific Beports. 



A paper, prepared by Dr. Fulton, is given in the present report, 

 embodying a general index to the scientific reports of the Board 

 since the commencement of scientific investigations in 1882. The 

 reports are twenty-two in number, and as they embrace a great 

 variety of subjects connected with the sea fisheries in their 

 scientific aspects, it is hoped the index may be useful to those 

 engaged or interested in fishery investigations. 



We have the honour to be, 



Your Lordship's most obedient Servants, 



ANGUS SUTHERLAND, Chairman. 



D. CRAWFORD, Deputt /-Chairman. 



D'ARCY W. THOMPSON. 



W. R. DUGUID. 



L. MILLOY. 



D. MEARNS. 



H. WATSON. 



WM. C. ROBERTSON, Secretary. 



