COUNCIL — SEPT. 1912 — APPENDIX F — 104 — 



Geheimrat Heincke : The Scottish statistics prove no more than the Danish and 

 other statistics ; the period of ten years over which the Scottish investigations extend is 

 not sufficient to decide the question. Moreover, no comprehensive Scottish Report 

 has been delivered to the General Reporter. The details from Scotland etc. will 

 be included in the full Report. The results will not be other than as stated in 

 the Resume. 



Dr. Masterman called attention to the fact that accurate data had recently 

 been furnished in England, which were worthy of consideration. 



Geheimrat Heincke agreed to take them into consideration as far as it was 

 possible to do so. 



Dr. JoHANSEN expressed himself very satisfied with the Resume. If the pro- 

 posal expected by the Central Council could not be made now, it could be 

 done soon. 



As a sign of overfishing, the average weight of the plaice in Denmark from 

 the North Sea and Skagerrak had decreased distinctly since 1888. It would in any 

 case be well to discuss the contents of the Resume. 



Mr. Hamman was also disposed to discuss the matter in hand. 



Prof. Henking had some hesitation with regard to the word "overfishing". It 

 was beyond doubt, that the stock of plaice had deteriorated ; so much was proved 

 by the Danish and German investigations. The basis for proposals was thereby given. 



Geheimrat Heincke defined his expression "overfishing" as meaning that the 

 reproduction of the plaice was not sufficient to maintain the stock at an equal level. 

 Apart from any overfishing the destruction of the enormous quantities of small 

 plaice was in itself sufficient to render protective measures desirable. 



Gomm. Drechsel, whose opinion was asked, stated that a great overfishing 

 had taken place in the Kattegat many years ago. Owing to the magnitude of the 

 Danish size-hmit an improvement had been effected and the stock of plaice had 

 been kept on a satisfactory level. The greatly increased intensity of the fishing 

 from motor boats etc. had now probably made further protective measures neces- 

 sary, and the question of close seasons was being considered. 



A lengthy discussion then took place with regard to the result of the pre- 

 vious proceedings. 



The conclusions of the discussion were expressed in the following words: 

 "The Members for Holland, Denmark, Germany and Belgium agree that 

 the results stated in the Resume and in previous publications are sufficient 

 to justify the recommendation of protective measures for the plaice. 



