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young plaice below fche limit of size, and this again to an increase of those above the 

 size-limit. 



This discussion of the increase of the plaice stock as a result of the protection of 

 the young plaice is, in its essentials, only theoretical. It is the more valuable for our 

 purposes that we have already on hand some experience of practical results of protective 

 measures. In Denmark there has existed since 1888 a prohibition against the sale of 

 plaice under 25.6 cm. and this was reinforced in 1907 by a prohibition against landing 

 of same. It has been proved, that the Danish plaice fishery has, in spite of the 

 restriction imposed by so high a limit, shown a continually increasing development for 

 the last 20 years. The introduction of this legal size-limit has thus certainly proved no 

 hindrance in the way of profitable fishery. With regard to the North Sea in particular 

 it has been proved that in the Esbjerg fishery district, Areas A3, B4 and B5, profitable 

 fishing can be carried on by the Danish cutters in spite of the size-limit. As regards 

 the Kattegat, there has, for the years 1895 to 1907, with the said size-limit, been no 

 further decrease in the average weight of the fish caught, in spite of extremely intensive 

 fishing, which is probably greater than in any other part of the North Sea, nor does 

 there appear to have been any decrease in weight in the total yield of the plaice 

 fishery. It is in all probability reasonable to suppose that the plaice stock, and the 

 quantity of fish yearly removed, have here reached a certain stationary condition, which 

 is most probably due to the rational protection afforded to the young fish during 

 this period. This supposition seems the more justifiable, since by the Danish method 

 of fishing, viz., with the "Snurrevaad", practically all the undersized plaice caught can 

 be returned alive and unharmed to the eea. 



The restriction of the fishery on certain fishing grounds by means of a size-limit 

 would naturally also involve, in addition to the loss in plaice, a further diminution of 

 the quantity of other food fishes taken. This has for the most part not been taken 

 into consideration in the foregoing calculations. It is however probable that this further 

 loss would also, by the increased protection of these other food fishes, soon be com- 

 pensated and turned to profit. 



VII. 



The desirable height of the size-limit for the plaice in the whole North 

 Sea, to be determined by international agreement. 



It is no part of the task of the General Reporter to formulate positive proposals 

 as to an international size-limit to be introduced for the plaice in the whole of the 

 North Sea. This rather concerns the Central Council, or particularly, perhaps, a Com- 

 mission to be formed by the same for the consideration of the Plaice Question. The 

 results of the international investigations on this subject, as stated in the General Re- 



