394 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [32] 



made the beginning of the fisheries rather late. Tn the year 1810, when 

 the fisheries did not begin till July 1, the number of fish nevertheless 

 exceeded the average. 



The data relative to the Svarto fisheries are certainly not extensive 

 enough to enable us to answer the question as to the causes why the 

 fisheries resulted as they did, but it must be acknowledged that they 

 furnish valuable contributions toward answering, among other things, 

 various questions relating to the number of fish in former years and 

 now. 



Common people frequently distrust statistics, not the least those re- 

 lating to the fisheries, because it is known that it is impossible to obtain 

 absolutely exact data, partly for the reason that the fishermen them- 

 selves do not know exactly how many fish have been caught. It is of 

 course <lesirable to get as accurate statistics as possible, but on the other 

 hand it is not necessary to know the yield of the fisheries down to the 

 pound; nor do statistics from one locality lose all their value because 

 they are not complete in every respect, or because they are incorrect in 

 some of the minor details. Small mistakes and imperfections are 

 eliminated where general results are obtained, and the figures will 

 nevertheless give a tolerably correct idea of the actual condition of 

 things. Experience has shown that the disinclination of the fishermen 

 to furnish statistics has soon disai)peared when they found that no evil 

 consequences resulted therefrom. In order not to mislead, the statis- 

 tical data should enter sulTiciently into detail, and should explain 

 themselves as far as ])()ssil)le. 



Fishery statistics, however, cannot by themselves solve the problems 

 which require solution, if the fisheries are to be carried on in a rational 

 manner. There should be considered the methods employed in the 

 fisheries, the condition of the weather, and other circumstances which 

 are 8ui)i)osed to have an influence on the fisheries. 



It has long been acknowledged that it is of great importance to in- 

 vestigate the i)hysical condition of the sea, its temperature, saltness, 

 &c. On the (Serman coasts stations were established ten years ago, 

 not only for examining the i)hysical condition of the waters of the Bal- 

 tic, but also to take a record of the yield of the fisheries at said stations. 

 In Sweden we have now a Xautico-meteorological Bureau, Avhose ob- 

 servations, it is true, embrace only hydrography, and not, like the 

 German stations, the fisheries and their yield. But many of the sta- 

 tions of this Bureau, because they are located on the fishing grounds, 

 become of great importance to the fisheries. 



But in order that such investigations may be of real value to the 

 fisheries, it is necessary that they should go i)and in hand with obser- 

 vations relative to the course of the fisheries. I have, ther#bre, with 

 the limited means at my disposal, endeavored to work in this direction, 

 and have had a station established at Hufvudskor, on the coast of 

 Stockholm, where observations are taken regarding the saltness and 



