A STUDY ON TROUT AND YOUNG SALMON. 323 



In my opinion the first of these provisions (the annual close- 

 time) is only justifiable as regards the rivers. In the sea the 

 present annual close-time (August 25 — April 15) is immaterial, 

 provided the intention is to protect salmon. Practically speak- 

 ing there is no chance of capturing salmon in the sea during 

 the present close-time. The bagnets are indeed mostly taken 

 ashore as early as the end of July. 



If however we intend to allow free choice of mesh and 

 thereby create possibilities of employing the bagnets for other 

 fish, evidently the present annual close-time in the sea is not 

 only unnecessary but even objectionable. 



The second of these provisions, (the weekly close-time) un- 

 doubtedly is the regulation, which most heavily hampers the 

 industry and has created the greatest discontent. Looked at from 

 the fisherman's point of view, it is evident, that a weekly close- 

 time of 72 hours or even more, must be a great burden to any 

 fishing industry. 



This method of protection is however closely connected 

 with the development of our salmon fisheries, and is a logical 

 consequence of the principles of our previous legislation. As 

 long as these principles are followed, I do not venture to pro- 

 pose any alteration in the present method of protection by weekly 

 close-time. 



f. Change of System. 



I think however, that our knowledge of our salmon fisheries, 

 and of the lifehistory of the salmon during the last 10 

 years, has developed to such an extent, that the question comes 

 more and m.ore to the front: Is it not now the time to re- 

 consider the very principles upon which legislation in our 

 country hitherto has been founded? 



My previous views and propositions have in general been 

 founded on the current principles, and this is on account of the 

 fact, that any radical change of system can only be subjected to 



