SEA-FISHERIES OF THE LAN OF GOTEBORO AND BOHUS. 749 



The value of the catches bein,<>' calculated principally from the earii- 

 iugs of the seiue-gaug's, an inaccuracy has been the cou.sequeuce, as 10,000 

 barrels have beeu attributed to the first district, though actually taken 

 in several other districts. JJut as it was impossible to ascertain in what 

 particular district they were taken, they have been reported for the first 

 district with a remark. 



The southern districts have supplied their hook fishery with fresh 

 bait, and, besides, had their share of the sprat fishery. 



b. The sprat fishery. — As may be seen from the tables, also, this fishery 

 was very rich. It began as early as September, and the sprats being 

 almost free from "ganeskar" — /. e., they were very little infested with 

 Crustacea, of which the water this year was unusually devoid, on account 

 of the cold summer, abundant rain, and prevailing land-winds — they 

 could be utilized for canning as anchovy at an earlier season than usual. 

 An uncommonly large quantity was pickled, and several new factories 

 were started. About 350 barrels have been salted as "bressling," and 

 it is obvious that the preparing of sprat gives a larger profit than the 

 entire herring business. According to information obtained, 5,200 bar- 

 rels have been pickled or salted. 



The sprat fishery inside of Oroust was also very rich this year ; the pro- 

 ceeds are accounted to the income of the sixth district. 



E.— THE LOBSTER AXD OYSTER FISHERIES. 



a. The lobster fishery. — It cannot be denied that the lobster fishery is 

 gradually decreasing, whether the size or the number of the lobsters 

 caught be considered. 



It is irrefutably a necessity that the time of prohibition shall be ex- 

 tended in the fall when the conjugation generally takes place ; and also 

 that the minimum size of lobsters allowed to be caught shall be so de- 

 termined, that their first spawning be protected. 



The English Parliament has lately resolved that 8 inches shall be the 

 minimum si2;e, and it would be well to adopt that as a law with us, too. 



i). The oyster fishery. — As usual, in winter time, a quantity of rock- 

 oysters were gathered with oyster-rakes this year. 



The overseer in the fourth district has reported one hundred " trees" 

 to have been caught within his district, but the fact is that they were 

 gathered from several localities by fishermen living in Klofvedal parish. 



The Fishermen's Association of Goteborg and Bohus Liiu have, during 

 the year, insured — 



(a.) Sixty-three bankers $46, 794 51 



Outfits to these 63 vessels 3G, 196 94 



New insurance on outfits 3, 265 79 



(ft.) Fifty-two seine-boats with outfits , 15, 140 93 



New insurance on outfits 107 46 



Total 101, 505 63 



