156 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [30] 
whilst the schools which follow later will seek other spawning places 
nearer the mainland.* 
In going through various stages of development our present spring 
herring have evidently come to resemble the former spring herring 
' very strongly. As to size, there is hardly any difference. This, taken 
in connection with the steady character of the development, which gives 
cause for the hope that it may continue, seems to augur well for the fu- 
ture and justifies the expectation that we shall again have as large 
spring-herring fisheries as in olden times. 
After having given the above brief sketch of the spring-herring fish- 
eries during the last few years, we must cast a retrospective glance at 
certain prominent features in this history, and institute a comparison 
between them and certain features of the old spring-herring fisheries at 
the time when they, too, after having been on the decline for a number 
of years, again began to flourish. 
The decline of our fisheries extended from 1869-1875, when the num- 
of herring was smallest and the fisheries were at their lowest ebb. 
But after 1875 the fisheries gradually began to recover, as there was 
a steady increase in the number of herring. There has, therefore, not 
been any very considerable interval between the former “herring period” 
and the qne which—to judge from all appearances—is about to begin, 
but one “herring period” has been closely followed by another. Yea, 
more. Those herring which during the last few years have come near 
our coasts aS new spring herring, had already come once before, near 
New Year, 1870, and probably they had also come in 1869, therefore 
before the former “herring period” had come to a close. 
Here there seems to be a difference from olden times, when there was 
an interval of years between the end of one “herring period” and the 
beginning of another (twenty years between the last two “herring 
periods”). 
Our present spring herring, moreover, come early in the year, having 
been caught as early as the first part of January, whilst in the begin- 
ning of the last “herring period” fishing commenced very late, which— 
according to Boeck’s observations—seems to be the rule at the begin- 
ning of a new “herring period.” 
This difference, however, is probably a difference only in appearance, 
but not in reality. In former times fishing in the open sea with floating 
nets was unknown, as it has only come into use during the last few 
years. No exertions were made to seek the herring in distant parts of 
the coast. To go to Udsire, to catch herring, seemed too much of a 
venture. If matters in this respect were now as they were then, our 
*The great whales will then disappear. Any attempt to exterminate them (even 
if successful) would result only in a very doubtful advantage. The fishermen them- 
selves, as a general rule, are of opinion that the so-called ‘ Aater,” i. e., schools of 
herring which, chased by the great whales, come near the surface of the sea, are 
easily discovered, and are therefore easily caught, must be considered as a decided 
benefit to the fisheries. 
