of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 



53 



Fishery Investigations of the " Goldseeker." 



In the early part of the year, until the 10th March, the " Gold- 

 seeker " was undergoing an overhaul at Leith. In March, April, 

 May, June, July, August, October and December the vessel carried 

 on trawling and other investigations in the Moray Firth to ascertain" 

 specially the condition of the fishing grounds within and without 

 the three-rnile limit. In the latter part of August and the greater 

 part of September she was engaged in special investigations with 

 regard to whaling and herring fishing in Shetland waters, reference 

 to which is made below. In November and December trawling 

 investigations were made also in the Firth of Forth, on the old 

 trawling stations of the " Garland." 



During the year 136 hauls were made with the trawl nets. All 

 the fish were enumerated and the great majority measured, the 

 sizes being recorded, while many were opened and the condition of 

 the reproductive organs ascertained and noted. 



During the year 1981 fishes were marked and liberated, with 

 the object of determining their migration and rate of growth. They 

 comprised 1166 plaice and 815 lemon soles. 



In connection with the investigations on the rate of growth of 

 plaice and the distribution of the different year classes in the Moray 

 Firth, many thousands of otoliths, or ear-bones, were examined, 

 ♦ The various records and collections made by the " Goldseeker " 

 are now being worked up by the staff with the object of preparing 

 a comprehensive report on them, and in particular on the investiga- 

 tions in the Moray Firth. 



Collections of micro-plankton were taken at various stations, 

 particularly in the Moray Firth. These are being dealt with by 

 a member of the Board's staff, to whom, by arrangement with the 

 English and Irish Departments, similar collections from the rest of 

 the United Kingdom are assigned for examination. 



ICHTHYOMETRY. 



Before the war there was evidence not only of diminution of the 

 stock of plaice in the North Sea, but also a serious reduction 

 in the average size of the fish caught. It was felt to be highly 

 desirable to obtain statistics as to the sizes of the fish, and by means 

 of funds provided for the purpose out of the Development Fund, 

 and in fulfilment of the programme of research approved by the 

 International Council, four men — and later in the year six — were 

 employed in measuring fish on board steam trawlers fishing in the 

 North Sea. The fish measured included cod and haddock as well as 

 plaice, and many thousands of records were made, a sample of each 

 haul being measured and recorded. The records have been forwarded 

 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, who have undertaken, 

 as one of the measures of co-ordination arranged at the inter- 

 departmental conferences, to deal with such records for the whole 

 of the United Kingdom. 



Much importance is attached to measurements taken at sea, since 

 by this means alone is it possible to determine the range of the 

 sizes of the fish on the fishing grounds, and the proportions of the 

 different year-classes present. 



