_ XV — HOEK— INTRODUCTORY 



material in a better condition, it was to be expected, that a nsefnl snmmary would 

 be more readily attained for the Kattegat than for the North Sea, with its much 

 more complex conditions. On the other hand, owing to the similarity of the problems, 

 a conclusion applicable to the Kattegat would also be of some value for a judgment 

 of the conditions in the North Sea. As with the plaice, the statistical data regarding 

 the other important food-fishes of the North Sea (sole, turbot, brill, haddock, cod 

 and herring) are next subjected to a critical review; whatever might be of use in 

 answering the question, whether overfishing and decrease of fish is really taking 

 place or not, is then brought together. Briefly reviewed, the results, so far as the 

 available statistics permit a judgment, are as follows: 



Plaice ( Pleur onectes platessa) and haddock (Gadits aeglefinus). It cannot 

 be said, that the quantities of these species landed since 1892 have undergone a 

 decrease; the current stock in all probability remains almost constant, in spite of 

 the strenuous fishing. A deterioration has occurred, however, in the composition 

 of the current stock of both these species: the quantities of the large fish landed 

 have greatly decreased relatively, those of the small have greatly increased relatively; 

 the average size of the plaice and haddock landed has therefore decreased. 



With regard to the sole (Solea vulgaris) and turbot (Rhombus maximtos), 

 the statistics show an unmistakeable decrease, as regards the total quantities caught 

 in the North Sea: the quantities of the large fish have continually decreased, and 

 the quantities taken of the small have not sufficiently increased so as to maintain 

 the total quantities at the same uniform level. 



Brill (Rhombus laevis). The quantities taken do not show a decrease. 



With regard to the cod (Gadus morrhua)^ the available data permit no con- 

 clusions to be drawn regarding the North Sea, as the quantities stated in the 

 statistics of the various countries are too greatly mixed with those taken outside 

 the North Sea, at Iceland, the Fœroes and elsewhere. 



The quantities of the herring ('C/?;/^« Iiarengus) have increased on the whole. 



With regard to the total quantities of all fish landed; these give no occasion 

 for very pessimistic views regarding the fisheries as a whole. Nevertheless, when we 

 remember, that the trawl fishery of the North Sea is chiefly concerned with the 

 catch of the species mentioned, namely, plaice, haddock, sole and turbot, it must 

 be concluded from what has been shown regarding these species, if any value 

 at all is put upon the statistical data, that these fisheries are in a more or less 

 critical position. By this is to be understood, however, not that an exhaustion of 

 the fisheries is possible, but that the trawl fisheries are gradually becoming more 

 and more dependent on the smaller classes of food-fishes, as well as on those 

 species which were formerly disregarded. 



The efforts of the Bureau have also been directed to other statistical labours. staiiMics of 

 From previous reports and preliminary investigations, it appeared exceedingly 

 probable, that the catch of smaller and less valuable specimens of plaice is going 

 on at certain parts of the North Sea and in cetain months on such a large scale, 

 that it must certainly be considered harmful to tlie regular production. The atten- 

 tion of the Bureau was specially drawn to this matter on the part of England. 



3 



small 



II plaice 



