of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 
23 
whitings in the Firth of Forth in the autumn of 1889, as described in 
the Report for last year (Part III. p. ). It is probable that the increase 
of cod and haddock may at least partially be attributed to the same 
cause, since both are to a large extent fish-eaters, and would naturally be 
attracted by the vast shoal of young whitings. 
Comparing the results at the individual stations in the closed waters, 
there was an increase at all the stations except Station IV., where there 
Avas a considerable decrease. Flat-fish decreased at all stations except 
Stations IT., V., and VII. At each of these stations plaice increased 
slightly, and common dabs considerably. Common dabs increased at all 
stations except I. and IV.; long rough dabs increased at Stations III., 
IV., v., and VI. ; flounders were somewhat more abundant at Stations 
I. and II., and less so at the other stations. Lemon soles increased at 
Stations I., II., and IV., and diminished at the other stations. There 
was an increase of round-fish at all the stations in the closed area. 
At each station cod and whiting were caught in greater numbers ; 
haddocks increased at all stations except Stations 1. and III., and 
gurnards decreased at all stations except III. and V. In the open area 
there was an increase at each of the stations in both round-fish and flat- 
fish; the increase in flat-fish was entirely in common dabs and long rough 
dabs. Ci>d, haddock, gurnard, and especially whitings, also increased at 
each station. 
2. St Andrews Bay. 
The stations in the protected and open waters were each examined on 
six occasions — namely, in March, April, May, August, October, and 
December. Thirty hauls of the trawl were made, 24 of these being 
within the closed area. In this area there was a general increase 
in the total catch of fish at all stations except Station II., where there 
was a slight decrease. The general average for the closed area was 209*5 
in 1889 as compared with 347'2 in 1890; and the average for flat-fish as 
well as for round-fish was higher. In the open area the general average 
was less than in the previous year ; there was a slight increase in round- 
fish and a considerable diminution in flat-fish. The figures fwr the past 
five years are as follows : — 
Closed Area, 
Flat- Fish. 
Round-Fish. 
1886, 
148-7 
27-7 
1887, 
346-1 
87-6 
1888, 
215-6 
68-9 
1889, 
189-1 
19-2 
1890, 
302-9 . 
40-0 
1886, 
96-6 
73-0 
1887, 
133-5 
173-2 
1888, 
148-8 
72-4 
1889, 
152-5 
29-8 
1890, 
29-8 
35-6 
Open Area, 
The increase of flat-fish in the closed waters consisted exclusively of 
increase in plaice and common dabs ; all the round-fish, and very notably 
whiting, were more abundant. The increased average of flat-fish is largely 
due to an enormous haul of 2950 at Station IV. in August. This haul 
comprised 2089 plaice, most of which were small, 1105 being seven inches 
or less in length. In the unclosed area there was a marked diminution in 
common dabs and plaice, a considerable diminution in haddock and 
gurnard, and an increavse in cod, and very specially, in whiting. 
The poaitiou and extent of the stations are described fully in previous Reports. 
