COUNCIL-MARCH 1920-APPENDIX — 78 — 



The investigations regarding the Cod Fisheries have included observations 

 on: the composition in point of size, age and growth of the spawning cod and the 

 Finmark spring (young) cod, its weight and "quahties" (amount of liver, weight 

 etc.), and similarly for saithe and haddock as far as conditions have permitted. 

 A certain amount of data concerning morphological characters have also been 

 procured. 



In the case of the Herring investigations have, apart from observations 

 as to length, weight, sex, maturity, age and growth, also in some cases included 

 observations on number of vertebrae and similar morphological characters. 



B. Special Investigations concerning Herring fry, small Herrings 



and fat Herrings. 



This work was planned in order to procure a closer knowledge than is at 

 present at hand concerning the natural history of the Norwegian herring as far 

 as the younger stages are concerned. The investigations will partly consist in an 

 analysis of the fishermen's catches (Biological Statistics) partly in investigations 

 at sea by means of the new vessel which is going to be built for the marine in- 

 vestigations of the State. The work at sea will, to a large part, consist in a perio- 

 dically reiterated exploration of a limited set of fjord s in Northern Norway, especially 

 regarding the occurrence of herring and their food and the physical conditions of 

 the waters. The intention is to get observations which may serve to elucidate how 

 a fjord gets its population of young herrings renewed — i. e. if a yearly recruiting 

 is brought about by an influx from outside of all the age groups in question (1 — 5 

 years old fish) or whether it is effected by influx of very young herrings only. It is 

 hoped that the solution of this question may be approached by a comparative 

 analysis of samples, partly from the fishermen's catches, partly by catches made 

 by the research vessel within and outside the fjords. Investigations as to plankton 

 and hydrography will be executed in connection with the work referred to. 



C. Investigations on the Biology of the Sprat. 



"De Norske Hermetikfabrikanters Landsforening" (Norwegian Canners 

 National Association) has expressed its willingness to place at the disposal of the 

 Government a suitable vessel and accommodation for a laboratory in Stavanger 

 for investigations on the Biology of the sprat, to be carried out by the Norwegian 

 Government. 



Prehminary investigations will be initiated in 1920, mainly in the Ryfylke 

 fjords, and will be carried on as a continuation of the work done during the years 



