SUMMARY AND GENERAL REPORT. 
I beg to submit the following report on the scientific investiga- 
tions for the year 1904 : — 
The Trawling Experiments were conducted as heretofore at the 
usual stations, and showed that the flat fish population has suffered 
a slight decrease in numbers. This, I regret to say, has also 
characterised both trawl and line fishing during the year. Cambois 
Bay was evidently during the summer in a very disappointing con- 
dition with regard to the important flat fish, and especially with 
regard to plaice. The other stations, however, do not depart 
materially from the satisfactory results of the last few years. Soles 
appear to be still fairly numerous in Cambois Bay, and have 
increased in numbers to a large extent at Skate Eoads. There are 
signs that dabs are becoming less numerous in the district, 
particularly in the region north of the Coquet. 
As before, tables are given showing the complete analysis of the 
first haul ; the food, sex and degree of maturity of the fishes ; and 
also with the help of Professor Brady, of the plankton of the surface 
and near the bottom at each station. 
The large number of 468 flat fish, mainly dabs with a few 
flounders, plaice and turbot, were marked with labels and returned 
to the sea, and particulars are given as to the results of the experi- 
ments to the end of the year. These show that plaice do not usually 
migrate from the inshore waters until on the approach of maturity, 
when they are 4 to 5 years old. But instances are given of conspicuous 
migrations to the north. The (as yet) limited returns for dabs point 
to a segregation of the sexes, the females remaining in the inshore 
localities where they were liberated, and the males migrating 20 to 
30 miles to the south and into deeper water. 
The conferences with the fishermen, which are briefly referred 
to, indicated that many of the fishermen would welcome an attempt 
at lobster culture, and showed that an enquiry should be made 
without delay to see what could be done to improve the local sup- 
plies of mussel bait. 
A detailed consideration of the crab and lobster fisheries of the 
district is presented, based on an analysis of the tables which have 
been contributed for a number of years by two of our local fisher- 
