6o 



JOHAN HJORT. 



M.-N. Kl. 



Herrings struck the coast off Urter, where, from the 20th to 23rd net 

 fishing took place, reminding one of the rich fisheries of olden days. 

 During those days the Herrings were in full play, and went in between 

 all the islets which form that group of islands.« »Each sound was filled 

 with barrels and floats which denoted the numerous fishing appliances 

 which were as good as set up on the dry seaweed, and even at a depth 

 of 10, 16, and 20 metres, constant, and abundant takes were made.« 



In the years 1885 and 1886, the temperature was again low. In 

 Chap. II, some examples will be seen of the great depth of the cold 

 layers in 1886. 



Speaking ofthat year Buch says: »The Herring, too, went down to an 

 extraordinary depth during this period after having gone to the bottom 

 in order to spawn, possibly one of the chief reasons of the resulting 

 failure of the fishery on the whole, as fishing had to take place in 

 deeper water than what the fishermen were wont to fish in.« »On the 

 15th (Fearuary) the admirable spawning places to the SE. of Utsire 

 were examined (see Chart of Depths II), and at a depth of no to 120 

 mètres stretches of shell-sand were found thinly, but evenly covered with 

 newly spawned roe.« I add here the temperature observations for the 

 15th February. 



15th February. Half way between Utsire and Ferkingstadøer 

 (Islands). 



I continue to quote Buch's report: »The last few days (ist to 3rd 

 March) the Herrings spawned off Holsoerne and the northern Nordøer 

 (Islands), everywhere at extraordinary depths. This was one of the 

 reasons why the fishing proved constant and best with deep nets set 

 on the bottom. 



ist March 1886. Between Svartøgrunden (Bank) and Skars Holm, 



Holsøerne (see Chap. II). 



