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160 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 
one is naturally much disappointed that the Report of the 
International Conference for the Exploration of the Sea 
held at Stockholm last June does not contain a definite 
programme of biological investigation which would lead 
to the acquisition of the desired knowledge. 
Last summer, when the arrangements for that Confer- 
ence were announced, hopes of detailed explorations on a 
erand scale ran high, and it was very naturally and 
confidently anticipated that the Report when issued would 
contain strong representations to the governments con- 
cerned involving the use of sufficient boats and men to 
carry out a definite scheme of biological investigation 
during a definite period. For surely what we need most 
at the present time in the interests of more exact fisheries 
knowledge is the nearest possible approximation to a 
census of our seas—beginning with the territorial waters 
and those off-shore grounds that supply them and are 
definitely related to them. Most fisheries disputes and 
differences of opinion are due to the absence of such exact 
knowledge. 
If anything approaching a census or a record of trust- 
worthy fisheries statistics had been taken fifty years ago, it 
would now be invaluable to fisheries committees, inspectors, 
superintendents, and other local authorities, as well as to 
biologists. Our successors will justly reproach us if, with 
increased knowledge and opportunity, we let the twentieth 
century commence without Iaugurating a scheme of 
practical work which will give us the desired statistics. 
As, unfortunately, the Stockholm Report says nothing 
to the point in regard to all this, it remains for each nation 
or district to carry out the plan that it considers best 
according to its convictions and means; and I venture to 
hope that Lancashire will lead the way. I would submit 
that our Joint Committee owes it to its position, reputa- 
