43 



B. HELLAND-HANSEN 



during the years 1903 to 1905. In Mr. Walikk E. Archkr's 



find a diagram which is reproduced in Fig. 30. This shows 



large weight of Smalls was lauded 



(nearly as great as Medium and 



Large put together); while the weight 



sank sharply in 1904, reached a 



minimum in 1905, and at the end of 



1905 once more increased. The weight 



of Medium was a little greater in 



1903 than in 1904, and in both these 



years it was rather above the weight 



for Large: however in 1905 it sank 



considerably and was below the weight 



for Large. The weight of Large 



varied very slightly in the three 



years. Exactly the same relations 



are to be seen in the above 



table showing the weights which 



are based on the returns of the 



Research steamers. 



The English statistics show a 

 decrease in the catch of haddocks 

 from 1903—1905. The- average total 

 weight per fishing day was: — 



report for 1905' we 

 that in 1903 a very 



1903 

 8-4 



1904 

 7-2 



1905 



&i cwts. 



and there was a falling off simultane- 

 ously in the number of working days. 

 Mr. Archer remarks in this con- 

 nection, "In discussing possible causes ' 

 for the decrease in haddocks from 

 the North Sea, we may therefore 

 dismiss the question of its being due 

 alone to changes in the extent to 

 which the haddock fishery has been 

 prosecuted, and in the absence of 

 other considerations the conclusion 

 might be drawn that the decrease 

 really represents a diminution in the 

 available supply of these fish. Whether 



Fig. 29. Average catch of haddock by the research 

 steamers per trawl-hour for all portions of the area 

 examined , during the different years in which in- 

 vestigations were made 



- - - average numbers 



average weights 



we are dealing with the downward phase of some rhythmic or periodic fluctuation, 

 or with the direct effects of over-fishing" must preliminarily main an open question. 

 I Annual Report of Proceedings under Acts Relating to Sea Fisheries for the Year 1905 (Board 

 of Agriculture and Fisheries). 



6* 



