Page:The Zoologist, 4th series, vol 1 (1897).djvu/595

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THE FISHES OF GREAT YARMOUTH.
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in several clay-pits in disused brick-yards a few miles out of Yarmouth. [The Golden Tench is believed to have become naturalized, and to have bred sparingly in some of the broads.]

Abramis brama. Yellow Bream. C.—Abundant in the broads and rivers. Large ones taken at Acle. Dr. Norman caught one weighing 8 lb. 12 oz. It is reported that a Norwich angler on one occasion placed eleven Bream (from a catch in the Wensum) in the scales, which swung the balance at 55 lb. Only a few old-world rustics ever attempt to cook this species in the Broadlands. Large takes are sometimes thought worthy to feed the pigs on.

A. blicca. White Bream. C.—Abundant everywhere, more especially in the Bure, preferring rivers to broads.

[Leuciscus buggenhagii. Pomeranian Bream. R.R.—Much doubt exists as to the status of this so-called species. It is variously supposed to be a hybrid between the Rudd and the Bream; whilst Prof. von Siebold "proved it to be a hybrid between Abramis brama and Leuciscus rutilus." I am as firmly convinced it is a cross between A. blicca and the Roach, with both of which the Bure abounds; and the Pomeranian Bream is taken there more frequently than elsewhere. It has the characteristics of the two species.]

Engraulis encrasicholus. Anchovy. R.—"A specimen found on the beach, May, 1830" (Pagets). By chance taken in the nets of the 'long-shore fishermen. Dr. Lowe records it as frequently caught in stow-nets near Lynn, running to eight inches in length. I met with an example taken among Herring, Oct. 23rd, 1893.

Clupea harengus. Herring. C.—Great Yarmouth owes its existence, importance, and prosperity to the Herring. The principal fishery commences in September and ends at Christmas. Roughly speaking, a thousand boats, local and Scotch, fish from the port; about 11,000 hands all round are directly connected with the fishery, and some 2000 miles of drift-nets are spread "to reap this harvest of the sea." A "last" of Herrings is 13,200 fish. A boat sometimes brings in twenty "lasts"; sometimes a boat's nets do not fall in with the "schools" of Herrings, and a night's work may amount to a capful of fish. Between 20,000 and 30,000 "lasts" are taken yearly. The "history and circum-