— 163 — 
hand, it is impossible to understand the decrease in the skrei yield in 1913, which can only 
be explained by future observations. 
The earlier periods, however, present a more difficult problem, and we are tempted 
to pass over this part of the question and devote our attention to consideration of the 
future. I will here, however, with all reserve, call attention to two pomts which seem 
to exhibit some indication of regularity. 
1) Looking first at the curve for quantity of liver, or average weight, and especially 
the deep hollows of the same (i.e. the years 1911—13, 1902—1904, 1894—95) it will 
be noticed that these periods were especially marked by the great number of individuals 
(the skrei curve shows numerical values; millions of fish). Regarding the hollow for the 
80’s, the curves are as difficult of comprehension as the fishery reports for the same 
period. 
2) There seems to exist a constant relation between the Finmark and Lofoten fisheries 
similar to that noted as between the fat herring and spring herring yields, viz; that the two 
“younger” branches, (the Finmark and the fat herring fisheries) first exhibit an increase 
in the yield, which later makes itself apparent in the catches of spawning fish (skrei and 
spring herring). Thus we find a rich yield in Finmarken in 1910 and 1911, before the 
increase in the skrei fishery. Similarly. a rich yield of fat herring in 1909 and a corres- 
ponding increase of spring herring in 1912 and 1913. See further pages 43—44. 
This connection between the Finmark and skrei fisheries has earlier formed a 
subject of discussion in fishery circles, though the relation has not as yet been clearly 
understood. In a lecture given at the International Fishery Congress in Bergen in 1898, 
Dr. J. Bruncuorst called attention to the point. He had made statistical comparisons 
by means of curves for the Finmark and Lofoten fisheries, and calculated that in certain 
cases, the yield of the latter could be arrived at by adding some 18—19 millions to the 
amount of the former for the previous year. According to our present theory, however, 
the matter is not so simple, since the Finmark stock, in the first place, consists of both 
small fish (loddefisk) and skrei, the former again including several different year classes. 
Fishery in Finmarken can thus be carried on both for skrei and for loddefisk, which 
will not enter the skrei class until one or two years later. Another difficulty in the way 
of quantitative comparison is the fact that the yield of the Finmark fishery is stated 
in kilos, while the Lofoten yield is expressed in millions of fish. Dr. BRuNcHorst’s theory 
is interesting, however, as one of the first expressions of any conception as to relation 
between the two fisheries. 
Considerable interest has also been exhibited in fishery circles as to observations 
of the size of fish, since the investigations as to age have begun to be more generally 
known. A rich yield of small fish in one year is now widely regarded as an indication 
of good yields of larger fish in the years to come. Fishermen have told me, that they 
had great hopes of a rich future for the Finmark fishery when they noticed the enormous 
amount of small fish of about 40 cm. which were taken in 1908 and 1909, these fish being 
then returned to the water as valueless, and floating in great quantities out to sea. 
Consul AND. AAGAARD, of Tromso, in an article in “Fiskeritidende” 1909, called 
attention to the enormous quantities of young cod which first made their appearance 
in 1907, thereafter, in increasing sizes, during 1908 and 1909. From this he concludes 
that we may expect to find “a great quantity of Finmark fish of from 400 gr. (dried weight) 
21* 
