EDITOR'S PREFACE 



This paper is a comprehensive analysis of the vast amount of 

 research work which has been done on the most seriously exploited 

 fishery in the world. This fishery is one which may serve as an 

 example of what to expect in the fisheries on our own coast where 

 similar species are being increasingly sought. 



The original language of this paper was Dutch, thus very few 

 workers could read it easily. Therefore, the Fish and Wildlife 

 Sei-vice arranged for Mr. Jan Hahn of Woods Hole, Massachusetts to 

 make this translation. Because of the length of the text certain 

 liberties have been taken in order to reduce the bulk. Some seemingly 

 unimportant passages have been omitted and some of the tables have been 

 rearranged. 



It has not been possible to submit a translation to Dr. Baerends 

 for approval. He possibly will take exception to some of this trans- 

 lation, due to inherent difficulties in translating Dutch into English 

 equivalents or to actual errors and omissions. 



All figures shown are photographs of the original illustrations 

 on which English translations of the more difficult Dutch legends have 

 been added. 



The original work which Dr. Baerends has drawn on for his analysis 

 all antedates World War II. Since then there have been marked advances 

 in the methods for mathematical treatment of fishery population data. 

 The Fish and Wildlife Service in distributing this translation does so 

 as an accommodation to fishery biologists, but does not necessarily agree 

 with all of the treatments or the conclusion reached. 



August 31, 1949 Howard A. Schuck 



