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the northern seas, for the period 1893 — 1902. This review was first of all to 

 contain a brief statement concerning the fishing industry of each country, and 

 a historical sketch of its developement with moreover a table showing the 

 actual figures arrived at in the statistics of the individual countries as already 

 published at the time. In the course of this work, the incompleteness of the 

 material at hand became evident; an endeavour was, however, made to see 

 what could be done by improvement of the existing matter. The representa- 

 tives of the different countries therefore made use of the statistical reviews 

 already published in the yearly reports, even when these were faulty and in- 

 complete, as the starting point for thg new statistical work, and an attempt 

 was made, where necessary, to complete and place together in uniform manner 

 the statements therein given. The work already done in most of the countries 

 in this respect is, to some extent at least, due to the influence exerted by the 

 International Investigation of the Sea. Attention may also be called to the 

 publication of the fishery-statistical bulletins which since 1903 have been 

 issued annually by the Central Council of the International Investigation of 

 the Sea. As a compendium of the statistical information at hand on the 

 subject of fishery, this publication is beyond doubt already of great value. 

 And it can only be regarded as an advantage, that such a publication 

 naturally also calls attention regularly and faithfully to the lacunae which still, 

 and it may be said unavoidably occur in fishery statistics. 



A rough outline having thus been given of the work done, especially 

 in connection with fishery and fishery statistics, by the International Investi- 

 gation of the Sea during the decade from 1902 — 1912, the Reporter may be 

 permitted to point out, in conclusion, that also indirect advantages have been 

 obtained by this co-operation, the importance of which it is not easy to over- 

 estimate. During this period, a number of men from the different countries 

 interested in the investigation of the northern seas have been working 

 earnestly together upon the problems named; they were brought together 

 in active correspondence, encountered each other in difïerent groupings 

 and combinations, at Council meetings and sittings of commissions or 

 in still narrower circles; they have compared the results of individual work 

 and expressed their opinions thereupon; they have mutually judged and cri- 

 ticised each other, gradually learning, however, to know and appreciate 



