DR. PETERSEN'S REPORT OF THE DANISH BIOLOGICAL STATION. 87 



but nothing is said as to the force of the tide, except that tlie tides 

 are strong at the Thyboron end. I do not know how far we may be 

 justified in inferring, from the insignificance of the rise and fall, that 

 there are no violent tide currents in the inner broads and channels ; 

 but if such really exist, the efficacy of the net must be largely 

 dependent, as here, on the tide period. 



It is also recognized that the weather exercises an important 

 influence on seining. Even in waters far narrower than those of the 

 Lim fjord broads, the wind, when not strong enough to stop it 

 altogether, may seriously interfere with its success; while, though 

 fishing operations may not be liampered, it is very generally believed, 

 if not actually known, that conditions of wind and temperature react 

 most powerfully on the distribution of the fish. No detailed information 

 being forthcoming,* we are left to assume that the hauls on which the 

 comparative statistics are based were all made under practically 

 identical conditions of tide, weather, temperature, etc., which is a 

 very large assumption. 



I have perhaps laid too much stress on this matter, for there is no 

 reason to doubt the general accuracy of Petersen's conclusions as to 

 the relative numbers of fish in the different areas ; and if he thinks 

 that, by converting his actual figures into more or less approximate 

 enumerations of population per acre, the result is more easy of general 

 comprehension, he is more than probably right. 



We have now to deal with the recommendations which are suggested 

 by the conditions already ascertained ; and it is obvious that only 

 two courses are open, i.e., either (1) to preserve the fish with a view 

 to their reproduction, and to the consequent population of the now 

 comparatively uninhabited inner broads, or (2) to annually stock these 

 broads with the largest number of young fish that can thrive (i.e., grow 

 rapidly) therein. 



We have already seen that Petersen is no friend to preservation. He 

 is not sure that it would result in reproduction, while he sees that if 

 reproduction occurred it would have the effect of encumbering the 

 broads with a number of small, hungry fish that would be of no value 

 for some years, besides entailing some hardship by the imposition of a 

 very high size-limit. I cannot controvert his arguments, the more so 

 since, as T have already said, I believe that reproduction would ultimately 

 result in a stunted race. 



The Lim fjord men have, as one may say, at their very doors a vast 

 natural and practically inexhaustible hatchery — or rather nursery — to 

 which they may resort in all weathers with the certainty of finding as 



* lu Appendi,x III., tlio diary of piofessioiial fishing operutioas, tho weather ia noticed, 

 but only when had enough to entirely suspend iishing operations. 



