— 141 — 
In 1907, similar trawling catches (Table p.130) showed 55 % of three year old cod, 
between 25 and 35 cm long. This year class has thus played a predominant part among 
the young cod, both in 1905 and 1907. Among the loddefisk, however, the 1904 group 
amounted to only 6.9 % (vide Table p.131 and the third curve from above in Fig. 92). 
Cod of 25—35 cm. are never of any great importance in the line fishery. In 1909, also, 
the importance of this class, though greater than in 1907, was less than was subsequently 
the case, the dominant year classes in the Finmark stock in 1909 being the 5 and 6 year 
old fish, with 32.5 and 33.3 % respectively. It will be seen from Fig. 92 that in 1909, 
only the smallest of the Finmark fish belonged to the 1904 year class. It must there- 
fore be presumed that only a part, viz, the largest specimens, of this year class had up 
to that time joined the shoals of the loddefisk. 
Between 1909 and 1913, we have unfortunately a long blank period for which no 
observations are available. This is the more to be regretted, as in these years especially 
there would have been occasion to study the transition stages, the immigration of the 
1904 year class into the loddefisk group, and later into that of the skrei, where they are 
found in 1913, when they amount to almost half of the total Finmark stock, being then 
some 70—80 cm. long. 
Thus much, it is true, we may learn from the samples described; that the 1904 year 
class was extremely numerous among young cod, loddefisk and skrei; this could, however, 
have been better and more definitely proved had observations been available for the 
years 1910, 1911 and 1912. 
It is therefore most fortunate that we are able, after all, to obtain reliable informa- 
tion as to the Finmark fish during these years. For this we have to thank Consul CHAR- 
LES ROBERTSON, one of the principal business men in Finmarken, who has been kind 
enough to interest himself in the matter, and undertake the task of going through all 
his records of dried fish, subsequently furnishing me with the results obtained. In order 
to appreciate the value of this material, we must first consider the relation between 
the size and weight of the cod, and the same factor for the dried fish. 
Relation between size and weight of the cod. 
When the cod are to be cured or dried, the head is first cut away, and the intestines 
removed. The fish are then said to be “gutted”. Distinction is therefore made between 
the weight of the cod when whole, and its weight when gutted. “Whole weight” is the 
weight of the fresh cod as taken from the water, ‘‘gutted weight”, the weight of the fish 
minus head and intestines. If the gutted cod are to be cured as “Klipfisk”, a part 
of the back bone is then further removed, and the fish salted, and afterwards dried. 
The “Torfisk” are hung up in the open air and dried. Owing to the different method 
of preparation, the split cod (klipfisk) will thus have a greater weight than the torfisk. 
We will first of all consider the original whole weight of the fish at different sizes. 
Whole weight of the cod. 
The different individuals vary considerably in weight, even when of the same size 
(i. e. length). They vary also with the season, according to their condition as regards 
