Citation: Corlett, J. 1967 Young plaice and other fish in Strangford Lough and neighbouring bays in August, 1963 and 1964. Irish Naturalists' Journal 15: 249-254
Number of Pages: 6
Volume Part: 9
Keywords: Benthos, Biogeography, Checklist, Down, Fauna, Fish, Marine, Marine Inlet, Northern Ireland, Open Coast, Pisces, Reserve, Strangford Lough, Sublittoral, Survey
Abstract: Paper presents results of surveys made in 1963 and 1964 in Strangford Lough and neighbouring bays to find out whether young plaice were present and, if so, what were their numbers, distribution and lengths. A 4 metre beam trawl and a 1.5 metre push net were used (detailed description given). Seven suitable areas were visited inside the lough and four outside. Results include several tables which consist of: (1) area, type of tow, depth, numbers per tow, (2) total numbers for specific areas in each year, (3) all fish caught in sampling and (4) mean lengths of fish per area per year and with gear specified. Paper concludes that in the areas surveyed (a) young plaice are common where there are firm sandy beaches (b) growth rate of O group plaice inside the lough compares favourably with that in other areas of the Irish Sea and there is a suggestion that growth is faster inside the lough than in the coastal bays.