_ 57 — APPENDIX K: KYLE 



and conditions of fishing there are somewhat different from those in the North Sea, in 

 that, the size of mesh used in the fishing apparatus is larger, and that the Danish law 

 forbids the sale of small plaice under 10 inches (25'6cm.) Both these circumstances 

 favour the small plaice in the Kattegat in comparison with their brethren 

 of the North Sea. 



Consideration of the available statistics of the North Sea fisheries has shown, that 

 the condition of the Kattegat plaice fishery is paralleled to a certain 

 extent by that of the plaice fishery, possibly also by that of the haddock 

 fishery, in the North Sea. In both cases, we cannot conclude from the statistics, 

 that the annual quantities landed have decreased, nor can it be said that they have 

 increased, since 1892. In other words, the current stock to all appearance re- 

 mains almost constant. On the other hand, the composition of this cur- 

 rent stock has undergone great deterioration. The relative quantities of large 

 fish landed have greatly decreased, whilst the relative quantities of small have greatly 

 increased. Since the total quantities have not increased, it follows that the average size 

 of the fish landed of these species must have decreased. This is in marked contrast to 

 the Kattegat plaice fishery, where the available evidence for a period of six years (1897 — 

 1902) shows, that the average size of plaice landed has not appreciably altered. 



The chief countries for the sale of small plaice are, in order: England, Holland, 

 Denmark and Germany. The quantities for Belgium are not known. In Denmark (North 

 Sea coast), practically all the plaice landed are small; in Holland (Ymuiden), 95% are 

 small and barely 1 % large ; in Germany (Geestemünde and Bremerhaven), the percentage 

 of small has increased from 68 in 1895 to 84 in 1903 (p. 29). The chief countries for 

 the sale of small haddock are, in order: England (?), Germany and Holland. 



In the case of the "prime" fish, sole and turbot, the statistics show an 

 unmistakeable decrease in the total quantities of each landed from the 

 North Sea. This decrease is due entirely to a constant decrease of the large fish, 

 whilst the quantities of the small have not increased sufficiently to counterbalance the 

 decrease of the large in the total quantities. The comparative absence of the smaller 

 kinds, as contrasted with the plaice, must be due to special causes. A still more funda- 

 mental problem lies in the fact, that the reproductive fertility of the sole is more than 

 twice, and that of the turbot more than ten times, the reproductive fertility of the plaice, 

 and yet these species are represented in the catches of the fishermen by a mere fraction 

 of the quantities of the plaice (p. 34). The quantities taken of the brill do not show any 

 decrease (p. 36). The condition of the cod fishery in the North Sea cannot be deter- 

 mined, even approximately, owing to the quantities given in the various statistics, especially 

 of England and Scotland, including the quantities taken at Iceland, the Fseroes and else- 

 where, as well as those of the North Sea (p. 39). The quantities taken of the herring 

 have greatly increased since 1892. They represent over 50 % of the total quantities landed 

 at North Sea ports (p. 42). These are the principal species of the North Sea fisheries ; 

 the remaining species are not dealt with. 



Consideration of the total quantities landed gives no countenance to 

 pessimistic views regarding the fisheries as a whole. Nevertheless, since the 

 trawl fishery of the North Sea depends principally upon the species mentioned, viz. plaice, 

 haddock, (cod), sole and turbot, it is concluded from the evidence regarding these species, 



Appendix K Ö 



