178 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [12] 
ies, and that the failure of the Varanger-fiord fisheries during the last 
few vears is principally owing to the growing development of the whale- 
fisheries. No satisfactory proof of this opinion, however, has as yet 
been given, and the bill introduced in the Folkething (Norwegian Parlia- 
ment) during its last session to limit the whale-fisheries, did not, there- 
fore, pass. My private opinion has always been that no such hurtful 
influence can be ascribed to the whale-fisheries, and I have freely stated 
this opinion to the department on former occasions. But, as at that 
time I had not yet personally observed the capelan-tisheries, and as the 
whale-fisheries were carried on in a somewhat different manner from 
what they are now, I thought it desirable to make another thorough in- 
vestigation of the whole matter, in which I could engage with entire 
impartiality, as I did not consider myself bound to abide by any opinion 
previously expressed by me, and was not hampered by any considera- 
tions of a personal nature. 
In examining this matter the following points seem to me to be of 
special importance; and from my present experience I shall endeavor 
to answer each one of them as best I can: 
(1.) What justifies the supposition that the whales chase the capelan 
from the sea towards the coast? 
(2.) Does the whale, during good capelan-fishing, cause the capelan 
to stay for a considerable time in shallow bays and sounds? 
(3.) Which kinds of whales come near the coast during the capelan- 
fisheries, and which of these must be considered as the capelan-whale 
proper? 
(4.) Can any considerable decrease be noticed in the number of whales 
at the present time, and can it be supposed that, as these fisheries are 
carried on at present, the whales will be exterminated in the near future? 
(5.) Will an actual decrease or the extermination of the whales have 
any influence on the character of the capelan-fisheries ? 
(G.) Do the whale-steamers, while cruising near the coast, scare away 
the capelan schools, and disturb their approach to the coast? 
(7.) In how far can there be any direct conflict between the whale 
and other fisheries? 
(8.) Is it probable that the refuse from the captured whales fills the 
sea with impure matter to such a degree as to drive the capelan away 
from places where whales are slaughtered? 
(9.) Does impure matter from the same source gather at the bottom 
of the sea and make it unfit for the development of the roe of the cape- 
lan? 
(10.) What physicaland meteorological causes can be supposed to have 
an influence on the entering of the capelan into the Varanger-fiord? 
In the following I shall endeavor to answer each one of these ques- 
tions under its respective number: 
(1.) It is a very old opinion, as is well known, that the approach to 
the coast of the capelan and herring is solely caused by the whales, 
