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

The First Phase of Commercial Fishing, 1100-1300
The fisheries of Norway before c1900 were mainly inshore. The
extremely long and varied coastline gave such an abundance of fish
resources in home waters that it was not necessary to go into the open sea
to catch the fish. The inshore fish resources have formed part of the
subsistence economy of the coastal population since the Stone Age. But
when were the fisheries commercialized?
The first indisputable evidence that a commercial fishery existed,
dates back as far as the early twelfth century. In 1103-07 a royal tax was
issued on those who were fishing in Vágar in Lofoten, a tax which seems
to have had an even older origin. 261 Further evidence of a commercial
fishery is to be found in two of the king's sagas where it is said that King
Eystein (1103-17) had built a church and cottages for fishermen in
Vágar. 262 In the twelfth century Bergen developed as an export town in
the southwest, and stockfish (dried cod) is from this time onwards
referred to in several sources as a trading commodity. In this early period
the seasonal cod fishery in Lofoten seems to have been very dominant,
due to the large ‘skreid’ which could be (and still is) caught in the months
of February, March and April, giving a first-class stockfish product. This
is due to the climate in Lofoten during late winter and spring, which is
especially favourable for the drying process. In the beginning of June the
stockfish would be ready for the market.
This commercial cod fishery was capitalized to a very minor extent,
as it was carried out by common farmers. The fishing season occurred
during a slack period on the farm, and the household could therefore
easily combine fishing and farming. Seasonal fishing for the market
became an integral part of the household economy in the north. Farmers
equipped small boats of 4-5 men (and boys) and went to stay at different
fishing stations in Lofoten during the season. The fishing equipment was
handline and nothing but that. The food, clothes and other equipment
which the fishermen needed, were mainly produced on their own farms.
Therefore there was a close interaction between farm production and
participation in the seasonal fisheries—some of the farm goods supplied
the fishermen, cereals being in greatest demand.
261 Bjørgo 1982.
262 In the saga Morkinskinna (ed. Finnur Jónsson) (Copenhagen, 1932).
148