14 
It is quite clear that certain changes have taken place. Firstly, 
the temperature was higher by 1 to 2 degrees during the second half 
of the period. Secondly, as regards the catches of marketable fish, 
the results may be stated in words as follows : — 
Cambois Bay. — Turbot have remained steady ; soles have 
decreased ; plaice have increased ; dabs have almost been doubled in 
numbers, bringing the proportion of dabs from about half to about 
equal to plaice. Flounders and brill may be said to have increased, 
but brill are only rarely obtained, only 2 being caught in IS excur- 
sions. The total number of flat fishes has made a distinct and 
satisfactory increase. 
Druridge Bay. — The average catches in this bay are larger for 
all classes than at Cambois Bay. Comparing the two periods of five 
years each we note that turbot have also remained steady here ; 
plaice have decreased ; dabs have greatly increased, again approach- 
ing the plaice in numbers ; brill and flounders may be said to have 
improved. The total fiat fishes present an increase, though not to 
the same degree as at Cambois Bay. 
Alnmouth Bay. — The average catches more nearly approximate 
in point of view of numbers to the last bay. Both turbot and sole 
present a decrease, while all the other forms have improved in 
numbers, the dabs as before to the most conspicuous degree, giving 
to the total flat fishes a decided increase. 
Skate Roads. — This bay, as will be seen in the next table, is 
peculiarly different from the other places experimented in. There 
are only three years in the first period. The forms which have 
improved in numbers are turbot (slightly), brill (more distinctly). 
Soles and dabs have remained practically steady, while plaice and 
flounders have decreased. With this it has to be stated that the 
total numbers of flat fishes in this bay have decreased during the 
period investigated— since 1894. 
The TOTAL RESULTS for all these four stations show that as 
a whole for the district turbot have remained steady ; brill seem to 
be improving in numbers — it will be seen that out of the 35 brill 
caught at the 76 excursions 32 were obtained during the last five 
years ; soles are getting less numerous every year practically speak- 
ing ; plaice have slightly improved, and dabs have greatly improved 
in numbers ; flounders also presented a slight increase. The total 
catches of flat fishes show that an increase — of about 20 per cent. — 
has taken place during the second period of five years. 
