— 89 — COUNCIL-MARCH 1920-APPENDIX 



only effective if trawlers are induced by this limit to keep aloft from certain young 

 plaice grounds, as fishing there would no longer be profitable to them. Heincke, 

 however, though trying to arrive at an indirect closing of certain grounds by a 

 size limit, seems not disposed to take the next step and to recommend the direct 

 closing of these grounds, chiefly on behalf of the difficulties entailed by maintain- 

 ing such a measure. But why, asks the present author, not take to the most effec- 

 tive and definite closing of certain areas? The difficulties will presumably not 

 be so numerous and insurmountable as is feared. Why will the various North Sea 

 countries not be wilhng to place the needed craft like torpedoboats at disposal 

 to carry out the guarding of any closed area, if they are convinced of the necess- 

 ity to take such measure. Grounds which first of all would need to be closed for 

 steam trawlers are the areas A2, A3 and A4, where young plaice abound. 



Practical considerations, however, prevent the applying of the measure 

 with regard to sailing craft which are bound to coast waters, so that in this case 

 a size limit is the only practicable measure. Moreover these vessels do not do so 

 much harm to the young plaice stock as they keep their catch as much as possible 

 alive by means of a well, and so are able to return the undersized plaice in good 

 condition to the sea. 



Only if no general agreement about the direct closing of certain areas would 

 be arrived at, the author is willing to comply with a size limit which, however, 

 should be instituted at 26 cm for steam-trawlers and all other craft with mechan- 

 ical power whilst for sailing craft only the proposals of the Plaice Commission 

 (20 cm from October to March, 22 cm for the other months) can be agreed upon. 

 Even if the direct closing of areas would be rejected the author proposes the clos- 

 ing of Dutch territorial waters to all trawlfishing except to those sailing crafts 

 which are provided with a well. 



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