— 87— COUNCIL-MARCH 1920-APPENBIX 



jacent waters will, to some degree, have the character of an experiment. The effects 

 of the measure introduced cannot fully be foreseen or reahzed. It is therefore of 

 great importance to continue the study of the stock of plaice in the waters here 

 dealt with and to report on the results as to the effect of the size-limit. Carefully 

 collected statistics on the yield of plaice fishing in future, with information as to 

 the size of the plaice landed, will probably enable us to see whether the size-limit 

 introduced has had a favourable effect or not, and whether it should be raised or 

 lowered. 



It should be added that even a size-limit, as here proposed, would not 

 protect the stock of young plaice on the nursery grounds in a fully satisfactory 

 manner. In our opinion, a quite satisfactory protection will not be attained, 

 unless the chief nursery grounds are closed to steam trawlers, and a 

 size-limit is imposed on all sorts of fishing vessels. 



In our opinion it would be worth while now to discuss the question whether 

 it is not now the right time for experiments with closed areas, in connection 

 with a size-limit. 



We think that the aforesaid measures would not only be in the immediate 

 interest of the fisheries, but even for the very important question of a general under- 

 standing of the influence of fishing on the stock of fish. It has now, for many years, 

 been the object of the Council to solve these questions, but it has not been 

 possible to arrive at absolute and definite results without varying the conditions 

 under which fishing has taken place. We fear that, if the present situation should 

 not be utilized, great difficulties may arise in future for an introduction of closed 

 areas and an effective international size-limit. 



We therefore propose the said regulations to be adopted by the Council, and 

 suggest that an energetic and systematic investigation as to their effect on the stock 

 of fish should be carried out. This will undoubtedly be the best way for the realization 

 of the Council's great object: to give the fisheries a firm basis for future regulations. 

 It follows from this that it should be the Council's duty from time to time to re- 

 port to the Governments concerned on the results obtained and the conclusions as 

 to the maintenance or the modifications of the measures which future experience 

 might involve. 



