Fisheries
107
FISHERIES OF OTHER COUNTRIES
The fisheries of the United States are more valuable than those of
any other country. Those of the British Isles, Russia, Japan,
France, Canada, Portugal, China, and Norway are also important.
The cool shallow waters surrounding the British Isles, especially
the North Sea, are ideal for the same kind of fish that are found along
our Atlantic coast. Hence a great many people in Great Britain
find fishing a profitable occupation. Russia’s prominence in fishing
depends partly on the many rivers, lakes, and inland seas of that
country. There, as in many other countries, fish are so cheap in
some regions that they form an important part of the diet of the poor.
Japan has a favorable position similar to that of the British Isles in
relation to shallow water. Fish are especially important to the peo-
ple in Japan, where meat is very scarce.
QUESTIONS, EXERCISES, AND PROBLEMS
A. The fish harvest.
1 The North Sea is one of the best fishing grounds in the world. From its
waters Scotland alone takes 135 pounds of food annually for each
of her citizens. What other countries in the list given below are well
situated to share this ocean harvest?
It has been said that the fishermen of Brittany knew the Newfoundland
coast long before Columbus discovered America. Do you think this
possible? Why?
Why do countries with important fisheries usually have large merchant
marines and large navies?
The National Geographic Magazine for July, 1921, contains a good article
on the Grand Banks, with excellent pictures. Let some member of the
class be appointed to bring in a copy and to give a short abstract of
the article.
2.
B.
The consumption of fish.
APPROXIMATE CatcH oF FisH PER PERSON
Alaska (1928) . .
Newfoundland “~~~ 7
Scotland 192°
Canada (°"
Netherlands
2,500 pounds
"10 pounds
" pounds
sounds
2 vounds
Japan (1918). . . . .
England and Wales (1928
reland 77°
"mite ©
(Ferman-
"3 pounds
* pounds
"* nounds
mounds
pounds
l
The Faeroe Islands resemble Alaska and Newfoundland in producing
vastly more fish than the people can possibly consume. Explain why this
is so and what becomes of the fish.