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1) That the samples are not necessarily required to be very large. 

 Samples containing 200 specimens have been found very satisfactory. 



2) That seine-caught fish are better than those taken in the nets, but 

 that the latter also (in Norwegian samples) have been found very useful for 

 the purpose. 



3) That the number of samples is primarily dependent upon special 

 biological and geographical conditions in the different waters. In Norwegian 

 waters it has been found that the composition of the shoals varies from the 

 commencement to the conclusion of the season (as for instance in the spring 

 herring fishery) and also from north to south of the area in which the (spring) 

 herring fishery is carried on. 



In the case of the Norwegian investigations of large and spring herring, 

 weekly samples will thus for the future be collected from four different districts 

 throughout the season, each sample to consist of 200 specimens, making a 

 total of 40 samples numbering in all 8,000 fish. 



With regard to other waters, a similar definite basis can naturally only be 

 obtained by experience; it would however, from our present knowledge of 

 the subject, already appear desirable that somewhat similar arrangements should 

 be made in connection with the other great herring fisheries, as for instance in 

 the Shetland, Lowestoft-Yarmouth areas, and elsewhere. 



Before any collective proposal is formulated in detail by the Committee, 

 it would be highly desirable that each country should, through the medium of 

 its representative on the Committee, make some communication as to what 

 material can there be collected and dealt with for inclusion in the comprehen- 

 sive annual report on the herring stock which it is the primary object of the 

 Committee to prepare, (see especially Sect. B of the Resolutions of the Com- 

 mittee, 1st May 1914). 



With regard to the Norwegian investigations, I may state that I have 

 included in my draft of a budget for the coming year, a proposal for the 

 establishment of regular annual biological statistics of the Norwegian herring 

 and cod fisheries. It is here presumed that two departments would be 

 formed in my office for the special purpose, one to deal with the herring 

 fishery, the other with that of the cod. These departments will include, 

 besides the scientist in charge of the regular annual Nvork, also assistants, 

 whose business it will be to collect the samples and arrange them in prehmi- 

 nary order, besides the requisite clerical staff for drawing up tabular com- 

 parisons of the figures furnished by the observations. 



At the same time, I beg to request the favour of a communication sta- 

 ting what arrangements, investigations, and material may, as far as you know, 

 be reckoned with from your country in connection with this part of the work 



