SUMMARY AND GENERAL REPORT. 
The following report, which I have the honour of submitting, 
deals with the scientific investigations for the year ending 17th 
October, 1901. 
As the trawling excursions, instituted by Aid. Dent in 1892, 
have now been conducted for ten years, 1 have prepared tables 
showing the results for the whole period, and also the average 
catches obtained during the first five years as compared with the 
second five years. These show that in all the bays, with the 
exception of Skate Roads, there has been a fairly steady improve- 
ment. Plaice have been increased in numbers to a slight extent. 
Dabs have conspicuously improved in numbers. Turbot seem to 
be just about as numerous to-day as when the experiments were 
started. Brill appear to be becoming more numerous. Soles, 
however, aro diminishing in numbers. 
This year plaice reach the average of 180, the highest yet 
recorded. Dabs, with an average of 78, show a decrease compared 
with the three previous years, but an increase over all the years, 
1892-97. Turbot give an average of G as compared with 4 in 
1900. Soles present an average of 7, as compared with 14 in 1900. 
The total catches of flat fishes average 211, which is below the 
average recorded for the preceding five years. 
Tables are given showing the condition of the white fishing at 
North Shields, and tor the rest of the district not including North 
Shields. These show that while the quantity of fish landed at North 
Shields is steadily increasing, that of the fishing villages presents a 
startling decrease. 
A complete statement is given with measurements of all the fishes 
captured in the first haul at the trawling excursions. 
Details are given likewise as to maturity and the nature of the 
food of the fishes captured at the excursions. 
The general results of the investigations made this season on the 
floating life and the animals which live at the bottom in the places 
visited by the “ Stanley ” and the coble are presented in tabular 
form (table 8). 
