354 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AKD FISHERIES. [2] 



number of men who dnriug tlie winter carry oii liaddock fisheries near 

 their homes, and the number of j)ersons engaged iu the seal and whale 

 fisheries, in the Arctic Ocean fisheries, and in the fat-herring fisheries, 

 we may give 100,000 as the number of men who gain their support 

 either exclusively or in part from the fisheries. 



For the sake of comparison we give the number of fishermen iu some 

 other countries, as follows: France, 82,7005 Canada, 47,200; Scotland, 

 48,100; I^etherlauds, 11,250. 



In consideration of the great and varied interests connected with this 

 industry, the desire has often been expressed to have these interests 

 represented in the central Government by a competent and responsible 

 person. 



In the report of the Norwegian Government of December 23, 1881, 

 approved by royal decree of January 7, 1882, relative to the appoint 

 ment of a director of the salt-water fisheries, a review is given of all 



ithat has been done in this matter since 1859, when the subject was first 

 broached. The matter was discussed during the Fishery Exposition at 

 Bergen in 1865. At this meeting it was not deemed advisable to pass 



,iiny resolution in regard to this matter, as it was thought that the ex- 

 pressions of opiuiou, which especially showed the desirability of having 

 a central administration of fisheries and of Ibrming a society tor i)ro- 

 moting the fisheries, would be sufficient to direct the attention of the 

 GoveruDient to the subject. The direct result of the different proposi- 

 tions was, however, very different from the one aimed at, namely, to 

 have some man in autliority who would watch over the interests of the 

 fisheries, and act the part of an adviser to the Government. All that 

 was obtained was an annual appropriation for practical and scientific 



^ investigations ; which of course are of importance to the fisheries biit 

 which constitute only a part of the duties of a commission of fisheries, 

 and this a very insignificant one, if, as is the case with us, the ai)pro- 

 priation is so small as 40 allow only special investigations on a very 

 limited scale. 



' In 1870 the Association for the Promotion of the Norwegian Fisheries 

 was formed ; and thus a way was found for satisfying demands, which 

 it' was thought could best be satisfied by a Aoluiitary association. 

 Since 1881 this association has received from the Government the annual 

 sum of $3,210. Although various questions relating to the administra- 

 tion of the fisiieries have been referred to the association for decision, 



, aiid although it hiis made several i)rop'ositions relating to the same sub- 

 ject, the whole matter of a central administration of fisheries has been 

 mentioned only incidentally. The principal aim of the association is, 

 and will be as long as its present organization lasts, to develop thefisL- , 

 eries as a branch of our industries; and in this' respect the association 

 has, during the few years of its existence, done some good work. 



The question of a central administration of our fisheries remains, 

 therefore, iu the same condition as in 1859, only with this difference, that 



