greater if more young fish were spawned, that is, there will be more 
fish but just the same sizes as before. The only remedy is to stop 
fishing in whole or in part, and full recovery will be reached only 
after fishing has ceased for the same number of years as are repre- 
sented in the stock of marketable fish. Whether such stoppage 
may be desirable or not, depends upon so many circumstances that 
it is not worth while discussing the matter here. 
If a very thorough fishery for the plaice is begun, a marked 
decrease in the average size of the fish taken is certain to occur in 
the course of a few years, because the marketable fish are of so 
many different ages in the most important parts of our waters, and, 
since the plaice moves about so little, each locality will show this 
effect very quickly.. The fishermen can easily increase their catches 
in such an event by seeking new grounds. 
SUMMARY. 
The plaice is abundant and generally distributed along our 
whole Atlantic coast at depths of from 20 to 100 fathoms, but may 
best be fished in the southern part of the gulf of St. Lawrence and 
on the outer coast of Nova Scotia. It is already taken in rather 
large numbers as a by-product in the line fishery, although not 
utilized, and it may easily be taken by the net trawl. 
It is of good size and of fine flavour, being in the best condition 
and shipped most easily during the fall and winter. For years it 
has been sold in the markets of the American cities and is now 
finding a sale in Canadian cities. 
The supply in our waters has as;yet scarcely been touched, and 
it is estimated that several million pounds may be obtained yearly, 
but if the fishery is at all intense a certain diminution in the quan- 
tity and the average size is to be expected. 
It is most desirable that this fish be handled, advertised, and 
sold under the name of Plaice alone, so that a permanent demand 
may be created for it as such. It should not be called flounder or 
sole, since these names are more commonly used for other fishes 
that differ from it in appearance and quality. 
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