[49J 



THE LOFFODEN FISHERY IN !880. 



581 



The observations this year have indeed been few, although they were 

 begnn the same day or the day after the fishing- conimeneed. Although 

 the frequent and sometimes considerable and irregular falling and rising 

 of the warm water scarcely allow^ any hope of a practical result, and in 

 spite of the little encouraging conclusions whereto the j ear's observa- 

 tions have led, it is my intention to continue these observations as far as 

 time allows. 



Table XLVII shows how many livers made a barrel at diiferent 

 times during the lishery. The numbers above the line indicate those 

 taken in nets, below the line those caught by lines. Compared with 

 the four preceding years the fish this year have been distinctly fatter, 

 and, especially, they hdve retained their fatness longer than usual. 

 The increased proportion of liver in the districts of Stamsund and 

 Sorvaagen at the close of February was associated with the excellent 

 fishing there, and seems to indicate a new arrival (offish). The stated 

 proportion of liver :it the end of the first week of March to the quantity 

 of fish has not been so great in any of the four i>recediug years at the 

 same time; and one may possibly, from this longer-retained i>roportion 

 of liver, draw the conclusion that the East Loffoden fishery in March is 

 due to tlie incoming of new fish and not to an afflux from West Loffo- 

 den. The observations are, however, highly uncertain, and cannot be 

 otherwise; so it is difficult to base any decision upon them. On the 

 average 385 cod are estimated to have yielded one barrel of livers, or 

 78 i)o!s (0.05 barrel) of oil. According to the inspection tables, the 

 jiroportion betAveen fish and liver has been as follows: 

 Cod 



1800 



1870 



1871 



187L> 



1873 



1874 



Cod. 

 440 

 415 

 425 

 420 

 420 

 385 



An average of 400 to the barrel of liver and 600 to a barrel of oil. 

 Table XLVII. — Number of Uvera in a barrel. 



