Faunistic and Hydrographic Changes

THE following faunistic records are of interest in connexion with recent hydrographic changes as described in the reports of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea. Abnormal activity of Atlantic waters around the north of Scotland will bring oceanic and western species into the northern North Sea. When this activity is followed by a southerly extension of the influence of the Norwegian sea the recent additions to the fauna can be expected to retreat to the Atlantic or to move southwards before the influence of the colder waters. In this southerly movement before the advance of cold conditions they will be followed by the fauna of the colder waters. Records of a mixed fauna may be found still farther south after a suitable interval. The above outlines the probable cause for the following records which have been obtained for the Northumberland coast. Unless otherwise stated, the specimens mentioned have been obtained from North Shields trawlers.