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A STUDY ON TROUT AND YOUNG SALMON. 319 



only subject to a clear understanding when viewed in con- 

 nection with the interests of all other sea- fisheries. 



On the other hand we must consider the effect of mesh 

 regulations as to the protection of young i. e, non-saleable salmon 

 and sea trout. 



To any man who has studied our bag net-fishery, it will 

 be obvious that the ever increasing employment of this fishing 

 apparatus in our country is most closely connected with the fact 

 that this fishing engine is admirably adapted to the conditions 

 of our waters. What the pots and stake nets are to Denmark, 

 the bag nets evidently are to our country. 



It is also obvious that this apparatus is not only adapted 

 to the catching of salmon, but also others of those kinds 

 of fish which, along our coasts, and also in our fiords, lead a 

 pelagic wandering life. Of such species may be mentioned : 

 Trout, herring, mackerel, saithe, pollack, whiting also haddock 

 and cod. 



This fact is also to some extent shown by the experiments 

 which have been effected by me with fine meshed bag-nets, 

 and which are described in detail in chapter 2. As will be 

 remembered 1 could get as many as 100 other seafish and even 

 more to each salmon caught. 



This fact is also shown by the catches of ordinary bag nets. 

 Even with the present enormous mesh, large numbers of cod 

 and saithe are caught in places, and it is evident that a reduction 

 would mean an increase in the capture of other seafish. 



Bag-net fishermen in the southern parts of our country 

 have often reported to me that the bags of their nets, possessing 

 the large regulation mesh, are filled with mackerel, which do not 

 pass the meshes as long as the net is not touched, but all go 

 through, when the net is tended. 



It is to me evident that free choice as to the mesh in bag 

 nets and similar engines would be a great benefit. Undoubtedly 

 the fishermen in many places would see the advantage of 



