272 SEA FISHERIES 



to better technical methods and a lesser tonnage, the 

 yield per unit of tonnage perceptibly increased. From 

 1903 to 1904, emboldened by the results of the previous 

 year, many vessels were fitted out ; and the curve of 

 production swept downwards once more, while the sale 

 price increased a little. The vessels being well exploited, 

 the yield per ton also increased. From 1904 to 1905, in 

 consequence, there was an increase of vessels. Fish were 

 abundant ; prices were hardly maintained. The curve 

 of the yield per ton suddenly fell. In 1904 the sales 

 were decreased by .60,000. The shipowners, frightened 

 by the superabundance of herring and the fall in prices, 

 agreed among themselves to reduce the number of their 

 nets by a third and to fish only for five months in the 

 year from February i to July i. From 1905 to 1906 

 still more vessels were fitted out. The curve of produc- 

 tion gradually rises ; prices remain stationary ; the yield 

 per ton increases slightly. 



I have been drawn on to economic ground despite 

 myself. Before abandoning it, I must refer to one deli- 

 cate question relative to steam trawling. Should steam 

 trawlers be of heavy tonnage, or small and light ? It is 

 obvious that the maximum yield of an otter-trawl coin- 

 cides with the maximum opening of the net. Now, the 

 maximum opening is determined by the width of the 

 boards and the pull upon the warps in other words, 

 by the power and tonnage of the vessel. An immense 

 otter -trawl drawn by too weak a vessel would be useless 

 and dangerous. On the other hand, if the power of the 

 vessel is equal to that of the huge trawl, calculation will 

 show that the size of the catches will not be propor- 

 tional to the expenses. The size of the trawler quickly 

 approaches a limit which it must not surpass. What 

 should the length be 200 feet or 240 ? No one knows ; 



