[13] EEL-FISHING IN THE BALTIC. 427 



representation, showing the variations of the Esperod eel-fisheries dur- 

 ing" the period 1815-1879, from Avhich it appears, amongst the rest, 

 that the year 1879 was the most favorable year during the entire period. 

 Mr. Areschoug justly thinks that, as the fisheries in the other parts of 

 the east coast of Scania are very much like the Esperod fisheries, said 

 table will give a tolerably correct idea of the variations of the eel-fish- 

 eries during that period on the entire coast. It will hardly be neces- 

 sary to state that data as to wind and current, during this long period, 

 would be exceedingly valuable.* Although the eel-fisheries are gen- 

 erally continued for a period of three months, the richest hauls are gen- 

 erally made during a much shorter period, when the great mass of eels 

 passes the coast, before and after which the yield is generally much 

 smaller. 'J^he same is also the case as regards the salmon-fisheries in the 

 rivers. As an illustration, we will state the following relative to the 

 Esperod fisheries in 1878, kindly communicated by Mr. Areschoug : " Up 

 to September li4th but few eels were caught (IS to 36 pounds a day in 

 each row of ' hommor '), the ijrevailing wind being west wind. On that 

 day it commenced to blow from the ISTNE., but not enough to prevent 

 the aj)paratus from remaining in position. This wind continued for sev- 

 eral days, the current being northerly. The wind afterwards changed 

 to SE. and S., but, as a general rule, the wind was more or less north till 

 October 12th, when a gale commenced to blow from the east, which 

 continued till October 25th, cast the apparatus ashore, and put an end 

 to the fisheries. The fisheries of that year actually lasted from Sep- 

 tember 24th till October 12th, during which period 20 to 70 "lispund" 

 [372 to 1,302 pounds] a day were caught in each row, the yield, there- 

 fore, being somewhat above the average. This, however, was an ex- 

 ceptional case." This communication is of special interest as showing 

 the influence of wind and current on the eel-fisheries. 



EXTENT OF THE DIFFERENT CATCHES, PRICES PAID FOR EELS, PRE- 

 PARING EELS, AND PRINCIPAL MARKET FOR EELS. 



As the greatest catches in one day in one and the same row of api)a- 

 ratus, Areschoug mentions 90 to 110 '• lispund" [1,674 to 2,046 pounds]. 

 At the i^resent time catches of 50 to 00 " lispund" [930 to 1,116 pounds] 

 a day are very rare. It is not stated how many "hommor" were used. 

 Near Oro (Kalmar district) 40 to 60 eels per "homma" is considered a 

 good catch. Catches of 100 to 220 eels per "homma" are regarded as 

 exceptional. The eels, esi)ecialiy in the north, fetch a very good price, 

 and in this respect rival the salmon. The greater portion of the eels 

 are sold, fresh, to fish-dealers. 



From the neighborhood of Grissleham the eels are sent to Stockholm, 

 in long, narrow boxes, made of four boards, and resembling a wooden 



* It has been resolved that from the present year daily ol)servatious of wind and 

 weather, as well as the temperature of the water, shall bo taken by the superintend ■ 

 cuts of the dif['ereut eel-iisheries. • 



