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



The value of tlic catclies beiug calculated principally fioiu the earn- 

 ings of the seine-gangs, an inaccuracy has been the consequence, as 10,000 

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

 in several other districts. But 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 then- hook fishery with fresh 

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



1). The sj) rat fishery. — As maybe seen from the tables, also, this fishery 

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

 almost free from "ganeskar" — i. c, 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. 

 Au uncommonly large quantitj' was pickled, and several new factories 

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

 it is ob%ious that the preparing of sprat gives a larger iirofit 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 LOBSTEE ANB OYSTER FISHEEIES. 



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

 gTadually 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 t\ill when the conjugation generally takes jdace ; and also 

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

 termined, that their first spawning be protected. 



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

 minunum size, and it wonld be well to adojit that as a law with us, too. 



<&. 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 Eishermeu's Association of Goteborg andBohusLau have, during 

 the year, insured — 



{a.) Sixty-three bankers 84G, 794 51 



Outfits to these 03 vessels 30, 100 94 



New insurance on outfits 3, 205 79 



{!).) Eifty-two seine-boats with outfits , 15, 140 93 



New insurance on outfits 107 4G 



Total 101, 505 63 



