— '6 — 



Part I, which is the first, and here the only one with which we are concerned, will 

 deal with the following points in the order given: 



I. I. The general distribution of the plaice in the North Sea and in the different 

 parts of the North Sea. 



2. The subdivision of the North Sea into different areas, having regard to the 

 distribution of the plaice and the practice of the plaice fishery. 



3. The scientific hauls and market samples as a means of displaying the distri- 

 bution of the plaice in the North Sea and of determining the composition of 

 the plaice stock and plaice landings. 



IL The amount and composition of the plaice landings and plaice stock in the North 

 Sea and neighbouring waters. 



1. The amount and composition, by number, length and weight, of the quanti- 

 ties of plaice landed by the fishery in the different countries, in the different 

 months and from the different areas of the North Sea. The relative amount 

 of immature plaice in the landings. 



2. The amount and composition of the actual hauls made by the fishermen but 

 not wholly landed. The composition of the hauls with regard to sex. 



3. The composition of the actual stock of plaice in the North Sea and its 

 probable absolute amount. How great are we to estimate the percentage of 

 the plaice stock, by number and weight, which is taken yearly from the 

 North Sea by the fishery? 



Ill Are there any signs of an actual overfishing or of an essentially increased tax on 

 the plaice stock of the North Sea through the increased fishing? 



1. The decrease of the large and increase of the small plaice in the catches as 

 probable signs of a permanent change in the composition of the stock of fish 

 produced by the fishery 



2. The new and still little fished grounds outside the North Sea; Iceland, the 

 Faeroes, Barents Sea. The difference in the composition of the North Sea 

 catches from the catches made on these new fishing grounds as a consequence 

 of the greater fishing. 



3. Has a diminution occurred in the density of the plaice stock of the North 

 Sea as a result of the fishery? 



4. Is the productivity of the North Sea great enough to make good the annual 



removal of 20, 30 or more per cent of the stock? 



IV. The introduction of protective measures for the plaice. 



1. The necessity of introducing international protective measures. 



2. Protective measures in the way of closing times, closed areas, or the prohibi- 

 tion of certain apparatus. 



3. Protective measures through size-limits or prohibition of landing without direct 

 restriction of the fishery. 



4. Can the fish below a certain size which are caught by the different nets be 

 returned to the sea alive and capable of living? 



