— 157 — 
averages presents a wavy appearance. From 1882, there is a decrease until 1884, then 
an increase until 1889. The years 1894, 1895 and 1896, however, lie in a deep hollow. 
Then follows a rise, until 1899, a sharp fall to 1903 and 1904, with an equally steep rise 
to 1909, and finally a decrease towards 1912. 
According to the hypothesis above put forward, the fall of the curve from 1901—1904 
should be due to the great addition of young fish to the skrei stock in these years, the 
immigrants being chiefly fish of the year classes 1896, 1897 and 1898. The rise from 
1905—1909, should in like manner be explained by paucity of new arrivals, and increasing 
size of the older fish already present. The average size culminates in 1909, sinking again 
in 1910, 1911 and 1912. During these years, the 1904 year class, being then 6, 7 or 8 
years old, begins to make its presence felt among the skrei stock, thus naturally occa- 
sioning a decline in the average weight. 
As regards the earlier “periods” it is naturally difficult to form any certain opinion. 
1880 5 1890 5 1900 ö 1910 
Fig. 99. Curve showing average weight of Lofoten skrei for the years 1882-1912, 
from statements of the Fishery Inspectors. 3,0 — 3 kilos gutted weight. 
The average weight is not in itself a sufficiently reliable indication as to the composi- 
tion of the stock in point of size. The same average weight may arise in the case of a 
mixed stock, large and small together, as in the case of one consisting throughout of me- 
dium sized fish. The many different size groups can furnish a great number of combi- 
nations, all equally possible. Only by measuring so great a number of fish of all sizes 
as to ensure a true picture of the composition can reliable information be obtained. 
The fishery authorities have, in some years, endeavoured to make measurements of the 
fish; the numbers dealt with have, however, been so few, (e. g. ten fish) that it 1s impos- 
sible to attach any value to the results. 
Of more importance are the statements contained in the Inspectors’ reports as to 
the size of the skrei. Thus in the Lofoten reports from 1894 to 1899, it is interesting 
to note the following: 
1894. At first large, later unusually small. 
1895. Unusually small and poor. 
