INTERNATIONAL FISHERIES COMMISSION 7 



the more intensive fishing and not to an increase in the abundance 

 of fish. Had there been an increase in abundance there would have 

 inevitably been an instant increase in fishing sufficient to destroy 

 the increase in abundance before it progressed far — it could not 

 escape the notice of the fleet. 



On the older banks, as has been said, the effect of the closure was 

 very small, and during each month of the open season there was 

 a decrease in the total taken, due to the progressing depletion of the 

 banks. Yet this decline did not suffice to balance the increase on 

 the other banks. 



In accord with this, the absence of marked effects beneficial to 

 the perpetuation of the fisher}^ is shown by the fact that there has 

 been no reduction in the total annual catch. On the contrary, there 

 has been an increase, as is shown by the following statistics of 

 landings for the 5-year average preceding the close season and for 

 the 4 years the close season has been operative : 



Pounds 



Five years' average, 1919 to 1923 51,595,000 



1924 57, 691, 000 



1925 53, 170, 000 



1926 56, 278, 000 



1927 56, 899, 000 



The close season, therefore, has merely shortened the period within 

 which the catch has been taken. 



The reasons for this increased intensity of fishing, which has more 

 than balanced the effects of the close season, are not far to seek. 

 The economic advantages of tbe closrfre are sufficiently great to 

 explain the lack of decline in total catch. The .season of the year 

 during which fishing is prevented was the most expensive, because 

 of the bad weatlier, the consequent loss of gear and of time, and 

 the severe effect on the morale of the men. Witli the elimination of 

 the three winter months the work during the remainder of the year 

 has become more efficient, and the losses and delays inherent in 

 fishing operations have been greatly reduced. Moreover, the vessel 

 owners at jiresent spend part of the close season in overhauling their 

 gear and boats. A certain |)ait of it is used en route to and from 

 the fishing areas. The market for frozen fish is steadier, giving 

 better prices for frozen fish according to general opinion. Further- 

 more, the grade of fish taken during the summer months is said to 

 be superior to that formerly taken during the winter. The closure 

 thus being of benefit from an economic standpoint, it follows that 

 as long as the fishery continues to pay well, as it has in the past, 

 there is no limit to the expansion it will undergo beyond the .satis- 

 faction of the demand. Tlie close season could not be expected to 

 re.strict without adverse economic effects. 



It is, moreover, true that in tlie past there has been a general and 

 rapid increase in intensity of fisliing sufficient to counterbalance the 

 effect of the closure. Thus, on the ohler banks the amount of gear 

 fished is about two and one-half times that employed in 1910. This 

 great and rapid increase in intensity has gone on unchecked during 

 the nine most important months of the year. So great has it been 

 that it has sufficed to maintain the total catch despite a fall in returns 

 per unit of gear fished and despite the fact that the new grounds 

 87842—30 2 



