APPENDIX K: KYLE 



12 



This is obviously a sufficient reason for the persistence and even increase of the 

 Danish plaice fishery in the Kattegat. 



It is possible, however, that this increase in total value is entirely due to a great 

 increase in the average price, and it is therefore necessary, to enquire if such has been 

 the case. 



The third column of the table gives the average price of plaice per score, as cal- 

 culated from the statistical data for the Kattegat. 



It should be noted, however, that the inclusion of the values of the large quantities 

 of plaice not caught in the Kattegat has probably some influence on the average price 

 of plaice taken in the Kattegat. This has not been allowed for here, as there seems a 

 wide enough margin for any effect these quantities may make'. 



From the figures given, the increase in the average price has, on the whole, been 

 less than 6o %. If we now compare this with the result obtained above for the total 

 values, we see, that the increase in the average price can account for the increased value 

 of the fishery, only if the quantities taken have, on the whole, remained constant. 



This conclusion will be understood more clearly from the quantities. These have 

 been estimated from the total values and the average prices stated, and the results are 

 shown in the fourth column of the table. 



It will be remarked, that the quantities here are stated in kg., not in scores, as is 

 usually the case in the Danish statistics. The reason for this procedure is, that, accor- 

 ding to the statement of Petersen already quoted, the average weight per score may 

 have decreased during the period considered. Further, what we most wish to ascertain 

 is whether the total mass or weight, not the numbers, of the plaice has decreased or not. 



Fortunately, a considerable amount of data exists for the conversion of scores into 

 kilograms. The Danish Reports for 1897 to 1900 give in tabular form a series of obser- 

 vations showing the average weight of the plaice in the Kattegat. These are as follows: 



I The exact influence, which the inclusion of the quantities taken outside the Kattegat, makes 

 on the average price and total quantities, has been worked out by Dr. A. C. Johansen for his forth- 

 coming work on the investigations carried out by the S. S. "Thor" in the Kattegat and North Sea. 

 He has kindly permitted me to give the results he arrives at. The annual total values naturally, 

 are practically the same, but the total quantities are different. 



Quantity in kg. 



1895. 

 1896. 

 1897. 

 1898. 

 1899. 

 1900. 

 1901. 

 1902. 



1902. 

 1903. 



ca. 4,400,000 

 ca. 4,900,000 

 4,000,000 

 5,900,000 

 ^5900,000 

 3,100,000 

 4,400,000 

 4,400,000 



Remarks 



Flounder and 

 dabs included 



3,400,000 

 3,400,000 



Plaice only 



The figures exhibit greater fluctuations than those shown in Table I, but the general conclusions 

 to be drawn, are the same as given above. 



