150 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



If we ask which apparatus must be considered as particularly de- 

 structive, the proper answer will be that it is not one apparatus in par- 

 ticular, but all the different apparatus combined which have brought 

 about this result. 



As we must consider it as absolutely certain that excessive fishing is 

 the cause of the decrease of fish, it will be evident that in order to reinedy 

 the evil it will be necessary either to limit fishing, so that the natural in 

 crease offish exceeds in number those which are caught, or to endeavor 

 by the artificial production of fish to raise the increase to such a de- 

 gree that it shall at all times exceed the number of fish caught. 



As regards the first-mentioned plan, it must, from various causes, be 

 considered as impracticable ; and no other way is left but the artificial 

 production of fish, which can no longer be considered merely as a scien- 

 tific experiment, but as an industry which, without involving great ex- 

 pense, can be conducted on a large scale. The artificial hatching of fish 

 may be considered as the only means of raising our coast fisheries to 

 their former flourishing condition, and as these fisheries are of the most 

 vital importance to our coast population, we venture to hope that such an 

 undertaking will meet with general interest. It is a question of preserv- 

 ing a large capital for the benefit of our coast population. In the city 

 of Christiania alone, live fish to the amount of several hundred thousand 

 crowns are sold every year ; and if we take the entire coast from Fred- 

 erikshald to Lindesnces, the sum amounts to several millions of crowns 

 per aunum. To preserve this revenue to our country will not only prove 

 a great advantage to the present generation, but it actually becomes a 

 duty which we owe to posterity. 



The Arendal division of the " Society for Promoting the Norwegian 

 Fisheries " is fortunate enough to have among its members Capt. G. M. 

 Dannevig, who takes a deep interest in the artificial hatching of salt- 

 water fish as a means of aidiug our coast fisheries. He has carefully 

 studied the entire subject of starting a hatchery on the American plan, 

 and has consulted some of the most prominent scientific authorities in 

 our country, Professor G. O. Sars, Professor H. Easch, and Mr. A. Land- 

 mark, inspector of fisheries, whose opinions regarding this matter are 

 quoted. 



A hatchery on the American plan will, according to very careful esti 

 mates, cost about 4,400 crowns ($1,179.20), and the current expenses 

 during the first year ol 3,000 crowns ($804) will make a total of 7,400 

 crowns ($1,983.20). It is our intention to start a hatchery as soon as 

 we have secured the necessary funds.* 



Society foe. Promoting the Norwegian Fisheries, 



Arendal Division^ December 2, 1882. 



* This circular ia signed by L.Holmboe, Oacar Horlofson, Ole J. Herlofson, Andr. 

 E. Johannesen, 



