10 BULLETFN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



other part for the trawls, as it is evident they should not be set together. 

 The nets are prepared for setting by fastening them together at top and 

 bottom, attaching the sinkers, and bending on the large anchor-stones 

 in the manner already alluded to, and which is shown in Plates V, VI, 

 and VII. The nets are so arranged that they will set close to the bot- 

 tom or some distance above it, according to the position of the fish. 



The cod in the vicinitv of the Lofoten Islands are said to be some- 

 what erratic in their movements, and it frequently happens that they 

 are found in the greatest numbers quite a distance from the bottom. 

 The fishermen therefore set their nets at a depth where they think the 

 fish are most plentiful, and several expedients are resorted to to find 

 this out, such as trying with a hand-line, and setting a gang of nets 

 with one end at the bottom and the other some distance from it, as re- 

 presented in Plate VI. 



ISTets are occasionally set floating, but this method of setting is prac- 

 ticed but little except at the stations east of Sorvaagen. One experi- 

 enced in fishing soon learns at what depth the most fish can be taken, 

 and places his apparatus accordingly. 



The fishermen all start in the afternoon at a given signal to set their 

 gear, both nets and trawls being thrown out simultaneously to x)revent 

 them from becoming tangled, though this is sometimes unavoidable on 

 account of the stron g winds and tides. The nets are set with or across 

 the current. As soon as they are out the boats return to the shore.* 



At the Lofoten Islands the fishermen start out together in the morn- 

 ing to haul their nets ; in the darkness of the long nights they enter 

 their boats, for the brief daytime, often shortened by gloomy skies, 

 would be far too sHort for the work which has to be accomplished. They 

 regard neither cold nor storm as long as the waves are not too high, so 

 as to make fishing impossible. Hauling the heavily weighted nets, 

 sometimes from a depth of 80 to 100 fathoms, is a task requiring the 

 united strength of the boat's crew. The nets are hauled into the boats 

 and taken on shore, where they are cleaned and put in readiness to be 

 set again. But it must be remembered that in this region stormy 

 weather often continues for weeks at a time during the winter months, 

 making it imj)ossible for the fishermen to go out to the banks, and as a 

 rule fishing cannot be carried on more than two days in the week. 



The daily fishing varies from a few scattering cod to several hundreds. 

 A catch of four to five hundred to a boat is considered very satisfactory, 

 although six hundred are often taken when everything is favorable, 

 even when they will not bite, and lines or trawls cannot be used. If 

 more than six or eight hundred are caught, the fishermen are obliged 

 to leave a i)art of the nets out until afternoon, as the boats can rarely 

 carry any more, especially in rough weather. 



*At Sondmoi', where the banks lie some distance from the coast, the fishermen some- 

 times stfiy out over night during the month of April, when the nights have already 

 become quite clear. Usually, however, these men haul their nets and return them 

 again to the water, while they start for the shore to dispose of their catch. 



