ADMINISTRATION-REPORT 1902-03 — XXXVIII — 



collected in most of the countries with respect to the catches of fish, where and 

 when they were taken, and their nature and composition. These data will 

 undoubtedly be of great value for the solution of the problems under consideration. 

 Lastly, it may be mentioned that special investigations have been commenced in 

 various countries (with regard to the distinction of pelagic fish eggs, the determina- 

 tion of maturity in the plaice by means of certain external characters, the races 

 of flat-fishes etc.), and that the international cooperation promises to be of the 

 greatest value for these also. 



Recapitulation The cMef aim of the whole work is to increase our knowledge of the condi- 



tion of the fisheries, and thus to further the interests of a I'ational exploitation of 

 the sea. It must be remembered however, that only those results are permanently 

 and really useful which will bear the test of severe scientific criticism. The study 

 of the sea is to proceed orderly and as rapidly as possible, but it Avould be unpracti- 

 cal to sacrifice the accuracy of the results, even if only a little, to a desire to 

 reach an end more quickly. 



Copenhagen, August 1903 



Bureau of the International Council 

 FOR THE Study of the Sea 



P. P. G. HOEK 



General Secretary 



