The North Atlantic Fisheries, 1100-1976 - University of Hull

history of fishing plays an important role. Finally, in section six there is a
short discussion of some topics for future research.
I. The Importance of Fisheries in Iceland
Fisheries have always been most important in Iceland’s economy as well
as in the daily life of most Icelanders. Since the fourteenth century fish
and other marine products have been the country’s most important export
articles although the significance of the fisheries in the Icelanders’ life
has varied from time to time. Until the early twentieth century Icelandic
society was predominantly agricultural. In most areas sheep-farming was
the most important occupation with every farm aiming at being as
self-sufficient as possible. However, in the west and south-west, the
fisheries were the most important industry but were mostly conducted on
a seasonal basis, the principal fishing seasons being the ‘winter-season’,
from January or early February until 11 May, the ‘spring-season’, from
12 May until 24 June, and the ‘autumn season’, from 29 September until
23 December. 2
The handline was the most common fishing gear and most of the
fishing was done by farmers, peasants and farm-labourers, the seasonal
character of the industry resulting in a considerable migration of the
workforce. Farmers living in the main fishing areas, from the Western
fjords in the north to the Westman Islands in the south, did indeed go to
sea with their men, but those living in other areas of the country sent their
labourers and peasants to the fishing stations in January or September.
There they stayed until early May when they returned to work on the
farms during summer. On the return trip they were often accompanied by
labourers, men and women, from the south and west, who went up north
and east where they worked as seasonal labour during the haymaking
season in July and August.
2 L. Kristjánsson: Íslenzkir sjávarhættir II, 369.
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