726 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



oms loDg and 15 to 20 fathoms deep ; a medium seine, 75 to 100 feet 

 long by 15 deep; and a small seine [orlcastenot), 35 to 4.0 fathoms long by 

 7^ to 10 deep. To each of these seines there belongs, in addition, a 

 boat (that for the large seine should have a capacity of 420 to 560 bush- 

 els), several baskets of lesser dimensions, and a quantity of rigging, 

 tarpaulins, kegs, anchors, hand-nets, painted boards, boat-hooks, fish- 

 ing-glasses (water-telescopes), compasses, &:c. Finally, for each series 

 of seines a dormitory-boat is provided for the crew of 25 to 30 men, of 

 which the chief is called " wofe&os." The cost of the equipment of such 

 a set of seines amounts to $1,700 or $2,300. 



By means of these nets the herring is taken in the following manner: 

 When the herring is observed to reach the coast, or to penetrate into a 

 cove or strait (sometimes it is driven there by the whale or pollack, 

 but more often goes of its own accord) , seines are extended around the 

 mass of herring that they intend to capture ; during the day the fish 

 are generally followed by a crowd of sea-birds, but in the night they are 

 usually alone. The entrance of the fish is ascertained by the aid of a 

 sounding-lead suspended by a cord, which, being more or less impeded' 

 by the resistance of the school, permits an experienced hand to ascer- 

 tain whether the fish is coming in. As a rule, the result of the catch 

 depends upon the ability of the skipper, not only in recognizing the 

 presence of the fish and in knowing how to gather them in the circle of 

 seines, but in taking them in and detaching them from the nets — opera- 

 tions where the presence of mind and the quick perception of the skip- 

 per are constantly put to the proof. He cannot always choose the 

 place to throw his seines, as this depends much on localities and vari- 

 ous other circumstances. Frequently it is necessary to make a long 

 sweep with ropes ; they then attach boats to the two ends of the seine 

 and frighten the fish, forcing it to remain within by means of boards 

 painted white which are continually raised and lowered in a manner to 

 make them see the reflection of themselves until the two ends of the 

 seine are brought to the shore. After the herring is caught sight of, 

 the result still depends very much on the nature of the bottom, on the 

 force and direction of the currents, which very often disturb the nets, 

 and on storms, which not unfrequently destroy the nets and their con- 

 tents ; it is under such circumstances that the commander has the most 

 occasion to show his talent. 



The product of seine-fishing is still less certain than that of the gill- 

 net. Every year seines are heard of which have taken nothing at all, 

 but in return there are some which make magnificent captures. It is 

 not rare to see a single seine take 3,000 to 5,000 bushels, on some occa- 

 sions 50,000 to 75,000 bushels of herring. 



The seine is especially made use of south of Bergen ; more northward 

 the weather is usually much rougher, and coves favorable to. this kind 

 of fishing are rarer. Seine-fishermen have, however, been known to 

 attain great results, permitting them to cover the deficit left by net- 

 fishing. In Nordfjord, above all, this fishery is prosecuted with success. 



