of the, Fishery Board for Scotland, 
257 
II.— THE SPAWNING and SPAWNING PLACES op MARINE 
FOOD-FISHES. By Dr T. Wemyss Fulton, Secretary for 
Scientific Investigations. 
L INTRODUCTORY. 
One of the main objects of scientific fishery research is to determine 
with accuracy the phenonema connected with the reproduction of the marine 
food-fishes, and the location of their spawning grounds. Erroneous views 
have been widely held as to the periods when and places where they spawn. 
For the past two years I have endeavoured to obtain all possible data 
referring to the spawning of sea-fishes. Since June 1888, the condition 
of the reproductive organs of many thousands of food-fishes has been 
ascertained at various parts of the coast during every month of the year, 
and the localities where ripe specimens were caught determined.* 
1. The Time and Duration op Spawning. 
The spawning time of most sea-fishes is in spring and early summer ; 
from February to June. Both the time of its occurrence and its relative 
duration vary in different species, and to some extent with the same 
species from year to year. The duration in any given species is caused 
partly by the spawning process in individual fishes being prolonged ; but 
chiefly by the successive maturation of groups or shoals of fish. A very 
common characteristic is the presence of ripe males both before and after 
the appearance of ripe females. Among flat-fishes, one of the earliest to 
spawn is the plaice. Plaice begin to spawn usually about the end of 
January, and continue spawning throughout February and a part of 
March. The long rough dab spawns from the end of January to April, but 
chiefly in March. The flounder begins to spawn in February and continues 
spawning till June. The common dab may spawn for a considerable 
period — from the end of February to J uly, but mainly in April, May, 
and June. The spawning of the lemon sole occurs in May, June and 
July, but ripe individuals may occasionally be obtained in other months. 
The witch sole spawns in May, June, July, and August ; turbot in May, 
June, and July ; and brill apparently earlier, in April and May. The black 
or English sole spawns in the neighbourhood of St Andrews Bay in April, 
May, and June. Among round-fishes, the cod spawns from the end of 
February to the end of May ; but chiefly in March and April. The spawn- 
ing of the haddock begins about the end of January and continues till the 
end of April or beginning of May. The great spawning period of this 
fish may be said to extend from the middle of March to the middle of 
April. The whiting spawns somewhat later than the haddock— from March 
to June, but chiefly in April. The spawning period of the gurnard is 
prolonged; it extends from March to July, but ripe individuals have 
* The examination of the fish, in accordance with the scheme devised, has been 
almost entirely made by Mr Thomas Scott, F.L.S., on board the 'Garland' ; partly 
also on board the steam trawler ' Southesk,' which, on several occasions, through the 
courtesy of the owners Messrs Johnston & Sons, Montrose, Mr Scott has been 
allowed to accompany. Mr Peter Jamieson also examined a number of fish landed by 
fishermen. My thanks are also due to many of the fishery officers along the East 
Coast, especially, perhaps, to Mr Murray, Newhaven, Mr Miller, Montrose, Mr Mair, 
Anstruther, and Mr Bain, Stonehaven, for keeping the records. 
r 
