5 — APPENDIX K: KYLE 



is assumed therewith, that the quantities taken by the fishermen can be considered as 

 representing the fish-population of an area. This means in general, that, if the annual 

 quantities landed remain constant or decrease over a sufficiently long period of years, 

 then it can be concluded, that the actual fish-population has remained constant or decreased. 

 The extent of this assumption cannot be determined until further information is forthcoming, 

 with regard, especially, to the fishing capacity of the apparatus now employed. There is 

 no doubt, for example, that the fishing apparatus is differential in its action, so that the 

 quantities taken of certain species e. g. the whiting, dab and sole, are not so represen- 

 tative as those taken of others, as the haddock and plaice. 



If it can be shown, that a decrease of fish has occurred along the lines indicated 

 above, namely, decrease of total quantities or decrease of the average size, the practical 

 considerations arise, whether it is advisable and if so, what are the methods to help 

 maintain the supply. These are not considered here. The main point placed in the fore 

 front of the present investigation has been, to ascertain whether the statistical data could 

 and did show a decrease of fish, and wherein exactly the decrease lay. 



A. PLAICE FISHERY IN NORWAY 



From a general description of the fisheries in Norway by Hjort and Dahl, it appears, 

 that the plaice fishery has been carried on for a long time in the southern part of Norway 

 and only for about 15 years in the northern parts. The condition of things in Norway, 

 the modes of fishing and the fisheries themselves are markedly different from those ob- 

 taining elsewhere; further, scientific information is scarce, so that one cannot make any 

 close comparison between the Norwegian plaice fisheries and those of the Kattegat and 

 North Sea. By way of contrast, however, the observations of Hjort and Dahl are of 

 interest and importance. 



With regard to complaints concerning overfishing or decrease of fish, the authors 

 state: "in those parts where the fishery has been carried on from time immemorial, the 

 fishermen, as a rule, have not known the fish to be more numerous than at present. 

 The younger the fishery is, the more frequent are the reports that a greater quantity of 

 fish was found there in earlier times (with exception, naturally, of the places where the 

 fishery is flourishing)." 



The younger fisheries are, as mentioned, in the northern provinces of Norway, and 

 two instances are given of fisheries springing up and then dying out within the space of 

 a few years. The statistics of the actual catches do not exist, but the quantities sent to 

 a fish-merchant at Trondhjem are considered to be good representations of the course of 

 the fishing. They are shown by the following curves (p. ö). 



The explanation given of these phenomena is simple. It is considered, that there was 

 but a comparatively small ''accumulated stock" of plaice of the largest size (50 to 70 cm.) 

 on the grounds originally, and that this was very soon fished up. The number of the 

 medium-sized plaice left was not sufficient to make a regular fishing profitable. 



