of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 
189 
Aberdeen in 1887, line fishermen landed 20,425 small haddocks and 
small whitings as compared with 16,485 large haddocks and whitings. 
Other statistics also show that large numbers of small round fish are 
taken by hook and line. The totals in 1889 in three districts are given 
in the table on the opposite page, the fish caught in the territorial waters 
being distinguished from those caught outside. Although the actual 
numbers of small round fish set forth in these returns is great, it is very- 
small if the proportion between large fish and small fish is considered. 
The statistics of the absolute and relative amount of small fish caught by 
hook and line vary in different years, in different districts, and for different 
kinds of fish. It must not be assumed that this statistical division into 
1 large ' and ' small ' represents mature and immature fish. 
The c Garland 's ' Experiments. 
The experiments in line fishing carried on on board the 4 Garland ' 
were conducted with great care, each fish obtained being measured and 
the length recorded. The line used had 1800 hooks baited with a great 
variety of bait,* and was shot on twenty-seven occasions from August to 
March, in water of from 6 to 30 fathoms, and at various distances from 
shore. 2046 fish were obtained, namely, 745 haddocks, 639 cod, 260 
whitings, 1 ling, 1 saithe, 19 gurnards, 1 dragonet, 374 common dabs, 
4 plaice, 1 lemon dab, and 1 brassie (Gadus luscus). Omitting the less com- 
mon forms the proportion of immature to mature fish was as follows : — 
Mature. Immature. 
Haddock, 676 67 
Cod, ; 
Whiting, .... 
Common Dab, 
Gurnard, .... 
34 605 
229 31 
374 0 
19 0 
1332 705 
It will be seen that the proportion of immature haddocks and whitings 
obtained was small, being about nine per cent, for the haddocks, and about 
eleven per cent, for the whitings. On the other hand the proportion of 
immature cod captured was very large, only about five per cent, having 
reached a size at which reproduction was possible. It is remarkable that 
not a single flat-fish under six inches was caught. All the 374 specimens 
of the common dab were six inches or more in length, and therefore fall 
into the category of adult fish, although a few were six and a half inches 
and seven inches long. The general average was between eight and nine 
inches. The four plaice and the one lemon sole were adult. 
A large proportion of the haddocks and whitings were very close to 
the minimum size of maturity ; many of these may never have spawned. 
There is little doubt that in the statistical returns, referred to above, a 
large proportion of these would be classed as ' small ' fish. Most of the 
immature haddocks were taken in about twenty fathoms near May Island. 
Some of the cod captured were very small ; there were a large number 
at nine and ten inches, several at six inches, and one as small as four and 
a half inches in length. 
The general results of the inquiry into the quantities of immature fish 
captured by line fishing may be thus summarised : — 
1. Considerable quantities of immature round fish, especially cod, and 
at some seasons, haddocks and whitings, are taken by hook and line ; but 
except in the case of cod the proportion of immature to adults is not great. 
* Vide Report on Bait Experiments, Seventh Annual Report, part iii. p. 352, 1889. 
