[13] THE SPRING HERRING FISHERIES OF NORWAY. 139 
that they arrived on the coast much sooner; on the coast of Tromsé and 
Vesteraalen as early as October and September, and at Salten and Hel- 
geland in November and the first half of December. The exact cause 
of the difference above referred to is unknown, and it is impossible to 
decide whether any special significance is to be attributed to it. 
‘There is another circumstance, relating to the time when the great 
herring fisheries were carried on, which I must mention, although I do 
not consider it as of primary importance. 
The great herring which began to appear on the coast in 1861 came 
therefore towards the end of the spring-herring period 1807, 1875, and 
they disappeared about the same time as the spring herring. As re- 
gards the former spring-herring period, 1698-1787, I am unable to tell 
when the great herring disappeared from the coast; but according to 
reports from the Nordland district in the royal Danish archives, it 
appears that there were great-herring fisheries during the latter half 
of the century, especially during the years 1760-1770, therefore like- 
wise during the latter part of the herring period.* 
It is possible that this appearance of the great herring far north 
and towards the end of the herring periods is a regular occurrence. 
The striking phenomenon that both spring herring and great herring 
disappeared from the coast at the same time also encourages the sup- 
position that their occurrence is subject to common laws of nature. 
During the Jast herring period, regarding which we possess fuller and 
more definite data, the disappearance of the great herring not only 
took place at the same time as that of the spring herring, but the time 
of their first appearance in 1861, towards the end of October and there- 
fore comparatively early, coincided with a decisive turning point in the 
history of the spring-herring fisheries; for about that time the spring 
herring commenced to come to the coast later and later in the season. 
This may be an accidental coincidence, but perhaps it has some deeper 
significance. During the latter portion of the spring-herring period, 
counting in about the last 20 years, a remarkable change was observed 
in the quality of the spring herring. They decreased in size, and at 
the same time they are said to have approached the coast in a more 
mature condition.t It seems as if the spring herring about this time 
approached the coast under less favorable conditions, since they could 
not reach their former size. The great herring, which thereupon came 
very unexpectedly (it was thought in Nordland that the great herring 
did not properly belong to these waters, but had only accidentally found 
their way there), altogether resembled the spring herring (Boeck’s re- 
port, 1873). The only difference was that they were somewhat larger 
and less mature when they arrived near the coast. ace therefore dis- 
ae . it w es 
*See the report of Governor Vorsé for the five years 1866-1870. It Ww eecid be very 
desirable to get some further information regarding these old great-herring fisheries; 
but, so far, I have had no opportunity to obtain such information. 
tThe decrease in the size of the herring I have often heard spoken of. See, also, 
“Dindustrie de la péche en Norwége,” par H. B., 1376. 
