4 
DRURIDGE BAY. 
Turbot. 
Sole. 
Plaice. 
Dab. 
Flat Fishes. 
1902 
... 8-5 
... 21-5 ... 
260 
164-5 
... 459 
1903 
... 15-7 
... 51 ... 
171-3 ... 
150 
... 392-3 
ALNMOUTH BAY. 
1902 
... 6 
... 23 ... 
111-3 ... 
108 
... 255-3 
1903 
... 17-5 
... 41 ... 
82-5 ... 
94 
... 242-5 
SKATE 
ROADS. 
1901 
... 10-5 
. . . 
113-5 ... 
10-5 
... 147-5 
1903 
... 20 
5 
455 
68 
... 580 
Skate Roads had on this occasion gained conspicuously in all 
forms, but more especially in dabs and plaice. 
Alnmouth Bay shows only an increase in prime fishes, especially 
soles, but in plaice it is worse than the average of all the previous 
experiments, and dabs are just about up to the average. 
Druridge Bay is still above the average for all forms, but shows 
a large decrease compared with last year as regards plaice and a 
slight decrease in dabs. 
Cambois Bay is also much above the average for all classes of flat 
fishes, but the increase in soles is a remarkable feature of this season. 
Blyth Bay is almost identical with last year, and is on this 
account in a very much improved condition compared with the 
average since the experiments were commenced. 
If our experiments thus indicate that the inshore waters are 
slightly worse this year, it is also quite clear that the improvement 
to which I have before drawn attention is maintained, when we 
consider the results over the whole period. The Committee has 
thus reason to be satisfied with the results of the trawling experi- 
ments, for they have demonstrated (1) that a large if variable number 
of flat fishes in the small and immature condition find food and 
shelter in the in-shore waters of Northumberland, and (2) that the 
flat fishes appear to be gradually increasing in numbers. 
The statistics for the year show that while the season has not 
been so good for the herring and for the salmon fishing, the white 
fishing has been even better than that of the previous year. 
Charts are given in the Report to indicate in a graphic manner 
the results of the experiments for each station considered separately. 
Details are also furnished with relation to the food, maturity, 
etc., the plankton and the bottom life. 
