150 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



coast north of Sotenas the sea-herring fisheries on the northern coast 

 hare been less certain and comparatively less productive than those 

 on the central and southern coasts. 1 The reason why the " old " herring, 

 in the beginning of the fishing period, moved farther south, and toward 

 the end of the same period more toward the north, must be found, no 

 doubt, in the uneven temperature of the respective portions of the sea 

 toward the end of the summer and the beginning of autumn on toward 

 winter. It is possible that the so-called " deep trough," from which there 

 is a branch toward the Marstrand Bay, has likewise some influence on 

 the route which the herrings take when they approach the coast. 



The current of the sea, which enters the Skagerack with considerable 

 violence, of course facilitates the movement of the herring, and by main- 

 taining a more even temperature has doubtless great influence on their 

 migrations. 



IV. — OF THE HERRING-FISHERIES, THEIR TIME AND PLACE. 



The common coast-herring fishery is, in Bohuslan, generally of but 

 little importance, and is carried on mostly for the every-day supply of 

 the inhabitants of the coast ; but, by the combination of several favora- 

 ble circumstances, it is sometimes more productive and even quite remu- 

 nerative. This fishery is carried on along the whole coast of Bohus. 

 Ian, although it is only important in the northern portion, and near 

 Hisingen. During the autumn, especially in October, small quantities 

 of the so-called " autumn herring " are caught between Hafstensund 

 and the Sacke Bay. A few fish of this kind have been caught occasion- 

 ally, even on the Fjellbacka coast. From the beginning of March on 

 through the spring, so-called spring-herring have been taken with sta- 

 tionary nets in Dynekilen, (a bay,) and in the Ide Bay, and such fish, 

 with loose roe and milt, have been sold during March in Stromstad for 

 12i cents a score. This herring-fishery, although of no great impor- 

 tance, is carried on even with small drag-nets, in several localities both 

 on the northern and central coasts, but chiefly on the latter, where, in 

 some places, e. g., Ulkaehalet and Hakeniis, both belonging to the district 

 of Tjorn, it has furnished an ample supply for the households of the 

 fishermen ; while, in other places, e. g., Hummersund and Stockeviken, 

 both situated on the southern side of the Tjorn Promontory, the fishiug 

 has been exceedingly poor. Fish for household-supply have also been 

 caught with stationary nets in some other places on this coast. Near 

 Hisingen, the spring-herring fisheries have, this year as well as during 

 previous years, been very good. This fishery commences about the 

 middle of March, and is generally continued till the middle of June. 

 The first herring caught, which are the proper spring-herring, are some- 

 what larger, and much less mixed with other herring than those caught 

 during May and the beginning of June, (these being called " May her- 

 ring,") and are generally fatter and better. Fishing is chiefly carried 



1 Reports on the Herring-Fisheries, p. 106. 



