382 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12] i 



One of the i^rincipal objects in developing our Iceland fisheries, there- 

 fore, should be to get the fish into the market in fresh condition; and j 

 all that is needed for this purpose are frequent and rapid means of com- 

 mtiuication. 



For the sake of comparison between the quantity of fish in the North 

 Sea and the Iceland waters, I will state that the average yield counted 

 on by an English fishing-smack in the ll^orth Sea is 14,000 pounds per 

 month, while the Alma in 1883, which was considered a poor fish year, 

 caught about 48,000 pounds fresh fish per month near Iceland, That iu 

 trawl fisheries only 6 men are needed, while the Alma had 17, is of little 

 importance; the x)rincipal point being that the capital invested should 

 yield a reasonable interest. 



But even apart from the question of fresh fish, I maintain that the 

 cod-fisheries near Iceland can be very remunerative for onr small sail- 

 ing-vessels, and that, therefore, they should be of special interest for 

 owners of such vessels. All that is needed is to get experienced men, 

 especially captains, and to take account of all the products of the fish- 

 eries, not merely of the codfish alone, and put them to the best possible 

 use. If once an interest is awakened in these fisheries, the Government 

 will not be slow to extend its aid by publishing good maps, &c. The 

 manufacture of medicinal oil on board the fishing- vessels, as well as the 

 preparation of isinglass and other products from the fresh, undried 

 sounds are probably among the subjects which should first of all be 

 carefully studied by competent men. 



There is hardly any doubt that the Association for the Promotion 

 of the Fisheries in Denmark and its Colonies, which, it is hoped, will 

 in the near future begin activity, can do a great deal towards the satis- 

 factory solution of such problems; and it is therefore desirable that 

 every one who takes a direct or indirect interest in the promotion of 

 the sea-fisheries, will soon join this association, as its iDower for good 

 will to a great extent depend on the number of its members. 



