306 KNUT DAHL. 



Thus if we further examine my tables we will in table VI 

 last column, find a group of trout caught in one haul in the 

 Orkla. These fishes were, after the „fingerlings" were thrown 

 out, by my fishermen, sold for Kr. 0,70 pr. Kilo. If now we 

 we look up table VII, first column, Beitstad-fiord, May 1900, 

 we observe that scarcely any of the fishes are smaller than 20 cm. 

 According to the above-mentioned experience it is also clear 

 that these fishes are marketable in the practical sense of the word. 

 They quite agree in size with the fishes in the catches made 

 by the seine fishermen during this time, catches which were 

 sold at high prices, and which in numbers were examined by 

 me. It is to me evident that practical reasons also, are in the 

 way of fixing the size limit higher than 20 cm., because the 

 fishermen thereby would be deprived of a large and remune- 

 rative portion of their catch and constantly be tempted to 

 disobey the regulation by getting this portion in their gear. 



Even if we would endeavour to regulate this matter by 

 means of enforcing a regulation minimum mesh, we would 

 only remain in the same difficulties as at the present time, 

 when trout is caught in gear also or mainly intended for the 

 capture of other seafish. Due regard to sport-fishing also 

 speaks in favour of not fixing the size limit of „young fish" 

 higher than at 20 cm. 



This limit corresponds fairly w^ell to the minimum size of 

 marketable fish, which for a long space of time has been fixed 

 by law in our country (21 cm.) and thus to some degree must 

 have established itself in the pubhc feeling. 



Eventually this limit would protect the young non-marke- 

 table fish and not injure the practical industry as regards the 

 catching of sea trout. 



Such size limit must of course also apply to freshwater 

 trout in such parts of rivers or waters, in Avhich sea trout 

 run. 



