32 . MADRAS FISHERIES BULLETIN VOL. XIV, 



B.— FISHERIES AND FISHERY ADMINISTRATION 



IN DENMARK. 



IX.— DANISH FISHERIES. 



The sea-fisheries of Denmark compared with those of Norway 

 are relatively small, and homogeneous to a far greater extent. The 

 coastline is long, but on the most productive sections, those to the 

 west and north, the dangerous character of the coast limits the 

 number of fishing harbours suitable to the needs of the larger craft 

 of to-day to a very few, and this renders the control of operations 

 by the administration a far simpler task than it is in Norway, where 

 the number of fishing harbours is particularly numerous owing to 

 the shelter given by the line of islands that front the coast for 

 hundreds of miles. There are indeed only 23 ports of register in 

 Denmark and many of these have but few boats sailing under their 

 distinctive lettering. 



Situated at the sea-gate to Germany, Denmark profits greatly 

 thereby. Her trade, unlike that of Norway, is largely in fresh fish 

 sent in ice inland to central Europe. This ensures usually good 

 prices and a particularly profitable trade. The statistics of the 

 past few years show how flourishing the fisheries are. In 1919, the 

 latest year for which statistics are available, we find that the value 

 of the fish landed at Danish ports was Kr. 54,112,300 (Rs. 40,58,422) 

 as against Kr. 17,515,200 in 1913 and only Kr. 7,759,918 in 1900. 

 The average price has also steadily tended upward within the same 

 period, from Kr. 0*30 in 1913 to Kr. 0"6l in 1919. The total weight 

 landed in 1919 was 88,928 metric tons. 



The number of fishermen engaged was 20,599 in 1918, the 

 value of the vessels employed Kr. 32,033,718, and of the fishing 

 gear Kr. 20,335,778. In 191 3, the number of men employed was 

 only 17,697, the value of the vessels Kr. 12,059,763 and of gear 

 Kr. 8,751,794. This great disparity in the value of l)oats and 

 gear in 1913 and 1919 is due only in part to the universal rise 

 in the cost of materials and wages ; the greater part is due to 

 the universal adoption of the marine motor in the Danish fishing 

 fleet, which in turn influences owners to build their new boats of a 

 larger size than formerly. The extent to which motors are used is 

 shown by examination of the figures for 1919. In that year the 



