120 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [22] 
Attempts with drag-nets in the Skagerack have several times been 
proposed and actually made, partly with the view of thereby increas- 
ing our knowledge of the course and migrations of the herrings, and 
partly to ascertain whether the number of herring was large enough 
to warrant the establishment of drag-net fisheries. Owing to the lim- 
ited extent of these experiments and the unsatisfactory apparatus with 
which they had to be made, they have not led to the desired result. It 
will however, even in spite of these failures, hardly need any proof 
that such experiments, made with drag-nets and other fishing appa- 
ratus, are indispensable for gaining a more satisfactory knowledge of 
the nature of the herring and more especially of its course and migra- 
tion. In view of the great expectations which have been raised by the 
rich herring fisheries of the present winter, and in view of the hopes 
that they may prove the beginning of another great herring period, 
such experiments should be made on a large scale, in order, first, to gain 
some more certain knowledge relative to the future migrations of the 
herring from our coasts,’ and to the portion of the sea which they visit 
after leaving our coasts, more especially whether they go into the North 
Sea; and second, to ascertain late in summer or in autumn whether a large 
number of herring are approaching our coast. This second object is of 
course the more important of the two to our fishermen, as they need to 
be apprised of such an event in good time; and as it occurs later in the 
season, it will allow of making all the necessary preparations; attempts 
with drag-nets might also finally lead to the establishment of drag-net 
fisheries, if it should be proved that such fisheries can be carried on to 
advantage. 
(2.) Haperiments with drag-nets.—With regard to the experiments with 
drag-nets, special attention should be given to time and place of such 
experiments, to the quality of the boats and nets, and to their extent 
and probable benefit to science. 
As to the time when such experiments should be made, spring and 
early summer will not yield many practical results. During spring our 
own coast herring spawn near the coast, and in the early part of sum- 
mer mackerel fisheries are carried on with drag-nets. The latter part 
of summer and autumn, on the other hand, will doubtless, as far as 
the Skagerack is concerned, be the most suitable time for searching 
after herring. If, moreover, the present winter fisheries should prove 
the beginning of another great herring period, the approach of the her- 
ring would have to be looked for, at the latest, about the end of No- 
_vember. During winter, herring are most plentiful off our coast, and 
sometimes in close proximity to it; but the winter season with its dark- 
ness, its frequent fogs and violent storms and the consequent dangers 
to navigation, will render drag-net fisheries in the Skagerack (at least 
7The herrings which at present are still found near the coast in large numbers 
may, after ashort time, go out to sea again. 
