566 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



foreigners. That the Laplanders have also in former times been en- 

 gaged in these fisheries, is proved by the remains of certain stone build- 

 ings erected by them, which are found in several places on the LoflFoden 

 Islands as near Svolvter. The time for these fisheries is generally 

 the middle of winter, or the first four months of the year ; therefore 

 about the same time as our great spring herring-fisheries. It is the 

 same instinct which urges the fish to approach the coast in large num- 

 bers, viz, the desire of propagating their species ; in other words, the 

 spawning process. To distinguish these fisheries, therefore, from those 

 which, later in spring, are carried on on the coast of Finmarken, 

 they are called '' gaat-Jislie;^ spawn-fisheries. This kind of fisheries, 

 however, is not confined to the Loffoden Islands, but is, as is well 

 known, carried on in many other parts of our coast; and there are many 

 indications that the codfish approaches the coast along its whole ex- 

 tent, at least from Stadt, at the same time that it comes near the Loffo- 

 den Islands. The reason why the Loffoden fisheries have been so dis- 

 tinguished from olden times, seems not to be that the codfish approaches 

 these islands in particularly large numbers, but rather that the locality 

 offers so many natural advantages for the fisheries, and is at any rate 

 better protected against the immediate influences of the ocean. It can, 

 on the other hand, not be denied that this group of islands, by extend- 

 ing so far in a westerly direction, offers this advantage, that the schools 

 of fish coming from the west can gather here easier, and, by going to 

 their different spawning-places all along these islands, yield their trib- 

 ute to man for a longer period of time than if this group of islands 

 extended parallel with the coast. 



The Loffoden fisheries proper, which are spoken of here, are carried 

 on along the inner side, or that part of the islands looking toward the 

 west fiord, from the farthest point of the island of Moskenas to Hindo, 

 and sometimes still farther. Large schools of codfish approach these 

 islands, likewise, on the outer coast every year; but as this coast is very 

 rocky and almost inaccessible in many places, the fishing is attended 

 with great difficulties, and would scarcely repay the trouble. 



It seems to be a very important point to gain an accurate knowledge 

 of the formation and nature of the bottom of the sea where fishing is 

 going on ; and it is very desirable that exact soundings be taken. This 

 would not only save the loss of many implements, but would also con- 

 tribute its share toward a more systematic way of carrying on the fish- 

 eries. My time did, of course, not suffice to make all these soundings. 

 This would require the summer season, when the days are longer and 

 the weather calmer. I shall, however, in the following, give all the 

 information bearing on this point which I have obtained from personal 

 observation, from fishermen, and from other persons* well acquainted 

 with the fisheries. — 



* I am under special obligation to the superintendent of the fisheries, First Lieu- 

 tenant Olsen, for much valuable information. 



