Preface and Summary.* 



Ghe German investigations in regard to the Piaice of the North Sea — 

 the results of wliich are lierein stated - are coufined maiiily to the 

 su-(.-.alled German Bight of the North Sea, the south-eastern North Sea, in 

 statistics also called the "Southern North Sea". It lies along the G-erman 

 and Danish coasts, and Stretches from Horns Reef in tlie north and east, to 

 Borkum in the sonth and west, sea-wards as far as Doggerbank, the 

 Southern and northern Schlickbank, the little Fisherbank and Jntlandbank. 

 Here the German sailing-boats fish for Piaice, and it is from here that the 

 German fishing steamers obtain the greater part of their supplies of Piaice 

 for the market. 



The German Investigations**) comprise the wliole biology of the 

 Piaice, the mauner of carrying out the Piaice Fishing, and the statistics. 



They have been so far successful that we are now able to give a clear 

 Statement of the natural conditions of the German Piaice Fishery, and to 

 ask whether it be possible to take any useful measures to maintain and 

 protect them. Before giving a füll and complete report of the Investigations, 

 we present in a few short sentences a summar}* of the most important results. 



*j We are very rauch obliged to Dr. Kyle (Gopenhagen) for kindly revising ihis 

 translation. The authors. 



**) The Biological Piaice Investigations here spoken of were carried out by the 

 "Kilniglichen Bioloy;ischen Anstalt" of Heligoland in the year-i 1902 — 1906. Besides 

 Heincke, the Director of the Investigations, Ehrenbaum, Strodtmann, Maier, 

 Bolau, Immermann. Reichard and Franz took part in them. 



At the instigation of the President of the German Sea-Fishery Society, Henking 

 in the years 1902 — 1906 nndertook the Statistical investigations of the Piaice Fishery, 

 being accompanied and assisted by Baron von Reitzensteio and Mr. Fischer 

 (Hannover) and by Mr. Duge, Inspector of Harbours (Geestemünde). Mr. Duge was 

 also so obliging as to place at their disposal formei lists he had kept respecting the 

 landings of the steamers. 



Parti of this paper is written by Heincke; part II by Henking; part III and 

 the preface and summary by both writers. Heincke is responsible for the biological 

 matter, and Henking for the fishery statistics. 



