[27] THE LOFFODEN FISHERY IM 1980. 559 



Yaagene to Ure ; in 1879, from Henuiugsvaer westward, and partly in 

 Skroven; in 1880, from Hopen eastward, and to some extent westward 

 also. 



The reason tliat the catch in East Loffoden is proportionally so large 

 is, that nearly 500 boats, which had been engaged at stations farther 

 west, participated here during ten to twelve days. The shares have, 

 on the contrary, averaged larger from Balstad westward. The propor- 

 tion between the number of fishermen and the catch has for five years 

 given the following average : 



Region. \^^-\^- 



\Pr. cent. \Pr. cent. 



Brettesnffis-Hopen 48.7 41.6 



HenningsvaBr 18.3 18.6 



Oeme-Ure 13.8 14.6 



Brandsholmene-Nnfsgord 8.4 10.6 



Naesland-Lofotodden. 8.8 11.3 



Raftsund ' 1.8 1.2 



Thus it appears that fishing has been comparatively better the farther 

 west we go. The considerable number of small boats which from fear 

 of the sea lie in East Loffoden has naturally contributed to the relatively 

 light catch here. Moving during the fishery (shifting berth) has also 

 had its influence in this number, not sufficient, however, to destroy the 

 proportion entirely, especially westward of Urebjerg, since the shifting 

 to or from this station is inconsiderable. It is evident that the table 

 gives a correct expression of the proportion, because wherever there is, 

 during one year, any gieat disproportion between the number of fisher- 

 men and the catch, this shows itself in the size of the fleet present there 

 the next year. The same holds good also with regard to the choice of 

 implements. Statistics prove, on the contrary, that in both respects it 

 is impracticable to base judicious plans for the coming year's fishing 

 upon the results of the foregoing year. 



In last year's report, page 55, 1 directed attention to the comparatively 

 good catch westward of Urebjerg from and during the year 1871, and I 

 stated, as a proof of the profitable industry here, that hired help, in spite 

 of the larger expenses of fitting out, had shown a considerable increase. 

 This year the force in the region from Braudsholmene to Balstad is in- 

 creased by 207 men, of which 85 was an addition to the number of hired 

 men, and in the Flakstad stations there is a gain of 222 and 18 men re- 

 spectively. Although the catch has been proportionally smaller this year 

 than in most preceding years, I think I am justified in drawing the at- 

 tention of fishermen to the more uniform annual fishery in these stations 

 than in most of those lying farther to the eastward. 



Table XXI shows the distribution of the fishermen in the different 

 stations by districts. Of the large force of 6,100 men from Senjen and 

 Troraso this year, 73 remained west of Urebjerg, 9 of the<se west of Sund. 



