_ 13 APPENDIX K: KYLE 



of 154,404 scores, the average weight was 12'2 Danish lbs. in 1897 



- 126,152 _ - _ — - 13-8 — - - 1898 



- 79,851 — - — — - 13-0 — - - 1899 



- 56,632 — - — » — - 12-8 — - - 1900 



- 45,554 — - — — - 12-28 — - - 1901 



- 82,321 — - .— _ - 12-97 — •- - 1902 



The average weight per score was higher (12 to 16-7 lbs.) for the northern Kattegat 

 and round Anholt, lower (10 to 14 lbs.) for the southern Kattegat ^ 



Starting from these values as basis, and allowing for a gradual decrease since 1889, 

 we may employ the scale shown in the fifth column of the table. It should be noted, 

 however, that we have absolutely no statistical evidence regarding this decrease. Petersen 

 admits this lack of evidence in his report, and we are simply relying upon his experienced 

 judgment in accepting it as a fact. As is shown in the table, a decrease of 1^/4 kg. or 

 272 Danish pounds is allowed for in the average weight per score over the period 1889 

 to 1903. This gives an advantage of ca. 800,000 kilograms to the first years. 



An examination of the table shows, having thus made all allowances, that we cannot 

 say there has been any decrease in the total quantities of plaice landed in Denmark from 

 the Kattegat during the period 1889 to 1902. There have been fluctuations up and down, 

 but for the years showing the Kattegat alone, viz. 1895— 1903, the mean or average has 

 been but little below 4 million kilograms. It is evident also, that the quantities for 1889 

 to 1894 have rarely, if ever, exceeded this amount. 



We come therefore to the conclusion, that the Danish plaice fishery of the Kattegat 

 has remained practically constant, since it attained what Peters n regarded as its culmin- 

 ating point in 1890, and this, in spite of the fact, that the amount of fishing and the 

 intensity of the fishery have become several times greater at the end of the period than 

 at the beginning. We are plainly in view of a new phase in the problem of overfishing. 

 Already in 1894 it had been pointed out, that the plaice fishery of the Kattegat was over- 

 capitalised and more keenly pursued than the stock of plaice would stand. It was 

 pointed out also, that the stock had deteriorated, probably decreased, and that certainly 

 the maximum productivity and value of the fishery had been overpassed. Ten years 

 later, we find, that the capital invested has increased, that the fishing is pursued more 

 keenly than before and yet, that nature has somehow struck a balance and the quantities 

 taken annually remain practically as they were. 



We shall consider the possible explanation of this phenomenon, when the Swedish 

 plaice fisheries of the Kattegat have also been reviewed ; meantime, several interesting con- 

 ceptions, expressed by Petersen in the report mentioned, may be dealt with here, as they 

 are of importance for the general problem of overfishing. 



') From the scale of weights given by Archer (Report on Sea Fisheries Bill [H. L.j 1904, p. 180) 

 for the North Sea, the average size of these Kattegat plaice would He between I2 and 13-5 Eng. inches 

 (30-5 and 343 cm.), therefore, somewhat larger than that of the plaice taken bj' the Danish fishermen 

 in the North Sea (see Part I, p. 26). 



The data for 1901 and 1902 have been provided by Dr. A. C. Johansen. 



