SUMMMARY AND GENERAL REPORT. 
1 beg to submit the following Report on the scientific investiga- 
tions for the year 1903. 
Lastyear I had to record an extraordinary increase in the numbers 
of the fishes of the inshore waters, from the results of our trawling 
experiments, and it will be remembered that our experiences were 
completely in accordance with those of the fishermen, for the season 
was much above the average in all branches of the industry, and in 
some it formed a record. It was therefore with the greatest interest 
that we approached the trawling experiments this year, if only to 
see if the improvement would be maintained. The results for the 
important flat fishes for the two years are : — 
Turbot. Sole. Plaice. Dab. Flat Fishes. 
1902 ... 4 . 21 ... 165 ... 121 ... 817 
1903 ... 18 ... 58-7 ... 180-0 ... 115-5 ... 321 
It will thus be seen that, broadly speaking, the figures are rather 
better this year. The most interesting increase is that recorded for 
soles. Most of the stations participated in the increase, but Cambois 
Ray in July yielded more soles than any other species, and six weeks 
later the number of soles was almost the same as that for plaice and 
for dabs. 
An analysis of the returns shows, however, that the above results 
are due to the large catch made this season at Skate Roads, and that 
the other bays have suffered a slight regression as compared with 
last year. This will be apparent from a consideration of the follow- 
ing summary of the results for the two years : — 
BLYTH BAY. 
Turbot. Sole. Plaice. Dab. Flat Fishes. 
1902 ... — ... 28 ... 290 ... 89 ... 494 
1903 ... 8 ... 20 ... 207 ... 122 ... 362 
0-7 
6 
CAMBOIS BAY. 
18 ... 114-8 ... 115-7 
126 ... 100-5 ... 88-5 
1902 
1903 
• • • 
... 255-0 
... 821-5 
