5 — 



KNUT DAHL 



The hatched fry are 3-5 — 4-5 mm. long and are liberated within the first five days 

 after hatching. The whole production of the hatchery during the years above mentioned 

 has been liberated along the coast of the Skagerrack, mainly in small fjords, sounds 

 and bays round Arendal. Since 1892 and excluding the years 1894, 1906 and 1907 

 from 10 to 20 millions have been liberated in the innermost portions of the Christiania Fjord. 



The fact that these hatching operations have been undertaken is mainly due to the 

 theory, that the number of larvae liberated by the hatchery were large enough to 

 produce a very perceptible effecl, and that the cod of these waters during the whole of 

 its life is local. Each little fjord and sound was supposed to possess its own compara- 

 tively small tribe of fish. Statistics showing the number of cod caught on the Skagerrack 

 coast are wholly lacking if we except those for the Christiania fiord. 



As regards the coast-line where fry has been liberated, the trustees of the hatchery 

 have attempted to prove the utility of their operations by asking the opinion of certain 

 inhabitants along the coast of the Skagerrack. It is asserted that the evidence of these 

 persons shows that liberation of fry from the hatchery has been followed by an increase 

 jn the number of young cod. 



As regards the Christiania Fjord the statistics relating to cod sold at the Christiania 

 Fish Market from the fjord inside Drobak are referred to as proving the effect of the 

 larvae liberated in this fjord. A decrease in the number of cod is asserted to have 

 been followed by a continuous increase since the liberation of cod fry commenced, 

 and this increase is claimed to have been caused by the hatching operations. This 

 point has been strongly urged by the manager of the Fl0devigen hatchery. It has 

 also been strongly maintained that while the number of cod has risen after hatching 

 commenced, the number of other species, which have not been artificially propagated, 

 e. g. the flatfishes, have continued to decrease in number. 



Upon a closer examination these arguments have not proved convincing. 



The statements received from the Skagerrack coast exhibit a want of clear proof 

 which is common in evidence of this kind. The statements are merely one-sided opinions 

 delivered by a small number of persons. Further the majority of these persons are not 

 professional fishermen. Moreover it is a well-known fact, that the majority of fishermen 

 along the coast of the Skagerrack have quite another opinion about the hatching, from 

 what is held by those persons whose evidence is referred to. This evidence cannot 

 thus be considered and never has on that coast been considered as an expression of 

 the aggregate experience of the fishermen in the matter. 



•) Hatchery being rebuilt. 



