The carapace lengths, dry weights, carbon content and nitrogen content of decapod larvae sorted from fresh plankton samples were measured. Regressions for the relationships between dry weight and carapace length were determined for each infraorder and for lower taxa. Regressions between carbon content, nitrogen content and C:N ratio and dry weight were calculated for the different taxa and were compared with published data on larvae reared in the laboratory.

Decapod larvae often comprise a significant component of the zooplankton of estuaries and inshore waters (Lindley et al., 1994). Lindley (1988) has presented data on the relationship between dry weight and carapace length for brachyuran larvae from the plankton. Similar data for other groups of decapods and additional data and analyses for brachyurans are presented here with data on carbon and nitrogen content. Anger & Harms (1990) described the relationships between dry weight; carbon and nitrogen content for decapod larvae reared under controlled conditions in the laboratory. The results of measurements on specimens caught in the plankton in naturally varying conditions provide a comparison with laboratory reared larvae. Harms et al. (1994) compared dry weights and biochemical data for Carcinus maenas (Brachyura) larvae reared in the laboratory with specimens from the plankton off Helgoland. Dry weights of the last two zoea stages and the megalopa larvae from the plankton were higher. The percentage carbon, nitrogen and lipid content were higher in laboratory raised larvae which were fed on Artemia nauplii than in field specimens or in laboratory reared specimens fed on phytoplankton or starved.

Large catches of sole (Solea solea) were made in early 1996 from the south-western North Sea. Sole suffer physiological damage in waters below 3–4 C. In February 1996 cold water of 3–4 C unusually extended from the Continental coast onto the Dogger Bank. It is likely that the increased catches were due to the consequential distribution and behaviour of the sole, making them more susceptible to capture.

Exceptionally large catches of mature sole (Solea solea (L.)) were made in February 1996 by Lowestoft fishermen from the south-western North Sea. Surprisingly this was not welcome. The UK allocation of the North Sea sole is -4 % of the EU Total Allowable Catch (TAC), and fishermen are restricted nationally, and by the fishing companies, to a tightly managed ration. The Lowestoft Journal (8 March 1996) reported the suspension of a local fishing skipper for not throwing back 5000 kg of sole caught in the Silver Pits. We will show that the abnormal catches were due to exceptionally cold waters.

Sole in the North Sea are at the northern extremity of their range, with sole seldom living in waters below 5°C (Horwood, 1993). In fact, North Sea sole were successfully introduced into Lake Quarun, Egypt, where they lived in temperatures in excess of 30°C (El-Zarka, 1965). Young sole migrate from their shallow inshore nursery grounds, such as the Waddensea, as winter approaches (Creutzberg & Fonds, 1971).