In the summer of 1947, the catches consisted of herring from 6 to 15 years of age, with 

 predominance of the 10-13-year-olds (86.9%). The length distribution of the herring is shown 

 below. 



Length in cm. 29.0--29.5--30.0--30.5--31.0--31.5--32.0--32.5-- 

 1 11 70 91 213 209 242 158 



Length in cm. 33.0--33.5--34.0--34.5--35.0--35.5 n M +m f 



180 64 21 12 7 1279 32 0.05 2.08 



The first herring schools were composed of large herring 33 cm. in length. These were 

 only a small group of forerunners of the main schools. Later, the schools consisted of herring 

 with a mean length of 31.5 cm. 



On comparing age and length of the herring, a clear disproportion is seen between the ann- 

 ual growth and the age. For example, individuals of an age of 5+ years measure 27 cm.; those 

 14+ years old, 33 cm., an increase of 6 cm. during 9 years. Such a disproportion is to a greater 

 or less extent found in the entire mass of adult herring. As a comparison, we shall give some 

 data from Yudanov (80) on the growth of small, immature Murmansk herring. From the first to 

 the 6th year of life the length increased from 9 cm. to 23.7 cm., an increment of 14.5 cm. during 

 5 years. In the Murmansk herring, the growth rate is thus 4 times greater than in the adult herr- 

 ing at Spitsbergen. This feature may be explained by general biological laws; with increasing age 

 and the ripening of the gonads the growth is reduced. 



Althougji the investigations at Spitsbergen were only carried out during a short period, 

 sufficient material was obtained for a characterization of the maturing process of the gonads in 

 adult herring (Table 14). 



We shall give a series of variation for the coefficient of condition in relation to the maturity 

 stages (males and females together), based on the samples taken July 4, 1947. 



Stage VI -II 



Coefficient 



ofcondition 0.70--0.75--0.80--0.85--0.90--0.95--1 .00--1.05--1.10 n M +m 



No. offish 457 10 8764 51 0.882 0.69 



Stage II 



Coefficient 



ofcondition 0.70--0.75--0.80--0.85--0.90--0.95--1.00--1.05--1.10--1.15 

 No. offish 3 7 5 7 13 10 5 3 3 56 0.925 0.71 



Stage Il-m 



Coefficient 



ofcondition 0.80--0.85--1.90--0.95--1.00--1 .05--1.10--1.15 

 No. offish 5 5 10 6 4 5 2 42 0.929 0.39 



Stage ni 

 Coefficient 



ofcondition 0.70--0.75- 0.80--0.85--0.90--0.95--1.00--1.05--i.l0 

 No. offish 1 3 5 8 9 10 6 3 45 0.930 0.63 



247 



