Station and biological data collected during research surveys carried out by
Cefas (formerly Directorate of Fisheries) in seas around the UK, mostly in the
North Sea, since 1902. The survey hauls are not laid out systematically as a
grid, as in current International Bottom Trawl Surveys (IBTS) and are widely
distributed over (especially) southern and central North Sea areas. Gears and
protocols were not standardised throughout, due to the long term nature of the
series. Surveys took place in each season. Data are lacking for the periods of
both World Wars. In some periods (e.g. the early 1900s), all species caught
were recorded, whereas in other periods (e.g. 1920s-30s), only the key
commercial species (e.g., Plaice, Sole and Cod) were recorded systematically.
Note that some surveys targeted particular species (notably Plaice).