Nets and Traps in the Fjords and Rivers. 31 



pounds each which have just contrived to run through the 

 nets, having the scales stripped from their skins from a 

 distance of two inches in front of the fore extremity of 

 the dorsal fin to two inches behind it ; so it may be taken 

 that a fish of this weight is the largest that can squeeze 

 through. 



It can easily be understood that the close-time can be 

 disregarded with impunity in districts which contain miles 

 upon miles of lonely fjord, which are rarely traversed by 

 others than those directly or indirectly interested in the 

 transgression of the law, and so over vast districts the 

 close-time existed, or even now exists, but in name. 



The fishermen seem to agree not to inform against one 

 another, and it is no uncommon event for the nets to 

 remain fishing when by rights they should be off" duty. 



In several instances those detected in disobedience to 

 the law have pleaded ignorance, and not infrequently have 

 been granted such an extension of time in which to pay 

 the fine imposed that the penalty was reduced to little 

 less than a farce. 



In course of time, however, suflicient prosecutions have 

 been put in force to prove that the proprietors and lessees 

 were in grim earnest, and no doubt the close-time is now 

 more generally observed, notwithstanding that more con- 

 victions are obtained. 



Many of the fjord and river watchers have far from a 





