(5) Skate Roads (Budle Bay). 2A-4 Fathoms. 
3 
-# 
x 
■i 
fit 
-C 
X 
ti f 
•/ 
a 
1894.. 
. June 27 
28 

i 
371 
22 
19 
— 
— 
— 
4 
54 
6mooth 
NK. 
An^. 6 
18 
— 
i 
00 
30 
9 
— 
— 
81 
3 
54 
smooth 
W.8.W. 
1895.. 
. June 2<i 
4 
_ 
__ 
120 
42 
— 
0 
— 
30 
— 
53 
rough 
calm. 
Auk. 5 
1 
— 
3 
75 
13 
— 
4 
— 
70 
— 
53*5 
moderate 
N. 
18%.. 
. June 24 
7 
- 
5 
85 
44 

— 

46 

53 
smooth 
W.N.W. 
Aug. 3 
50 
1 
2 
155 
10 
32 
— 
— 
29 
— 
55 
roll cli 
N.K. 
1807.. 
. June 23 
44 
7 
5 
111 
20 
21 

— 
6 
8 
— 
smooth 
8.E. 
Aug. 11 
33 
2 
6 
138 
30 
10 
— 
— 
17 
1 
58 
rough 
8E to W 
The numbers are necessarily fluctuating; and for round fish, 
indeed, are so varying and inconstant that for the present it will be 
better to neglect them altogether. Concentrating our attention, 
then, on the numbers relating to Hat fishes, we can see that during 
the six years in which the experiments have been conducted the 
returns are fairly constant. It is very difficult to say from a rough 
inspection of the columns in each table that any decided change has 
taken place. If the three-mile restriction, which these experiments 
were primarily meant to test, were having the effect that was 
anticipated, we should naturally expect a gradual improvement for 
each class of fish in these waters. I am glad to be able to say that 
during the last two years an improvement has taken place, but 
taken separately and together the figures do not show a steady 
increase, if they do not show a decrease. The bays are slightly 
improved to-day compared with what they were when the restriction 
was made; but, considering the seasonal variation already met 
with, we cannot yet say that the improvement will be continued. 
A consideration of each class of fish in each bay will illustrate 
this. In Blytli Bay, turbot and soles are no more numerous; plaice 
and dabs show improvement. In Cambois Bay, turbot again are 
practically steady : soles have increased, and plaice and dabs have 
lately increased. In Druridge Bay, turbot, plaice and dabs show 
latterly an increase ; soles are pretty much as they were. Alnmouth 
Bay gave us a very poor catch at our first visit this year, but on 
the second occasion the returns, for plaice especially, showed a 
marked improvement ; the other forms showed the reverse of 
improvement. Skate Roads give a strong increase in turbot, brill 
and soles ; dabs appear steady, and plaice have decreased. 
