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

The question of why there were such great chronological differences
in the introduction of new fishing techniques between geographical
areas, has not been fully examined yet, but factors such as the influence
of foreign fishermen, the adequacy of the local fisheries, and a
conservatism among the fishermen because of their fear of big capital in
the industry, have been emphasized.
Trade Liberalization and Increasing Fish Markets
Growth in Catch and Production, 1750-1900
With the exception of a temporary setback during the Napoleonic Wars,
the period 1750-1900 was characterized by prosperity for the Norwegian
fishing industry, especially with regard to the cod fishing sector.
From the last part of the eighteenth century major changes began to
take place in the fishing communities, especially in Northern Norway.
The trade system was gradually liberalized, first by legalizing the
establishment of local tradesmen from 1762, secondly by the founding of
the first modern towns late in the century (Hammerfest and Vardø in
1789, Tromsø in 1794). 288
Fish production increased, partly due to a growing population and an
increased number of fishermen, partly as a consequence of a change in
fishing technology. For many fishermen more effective fishing gear,
longlines and nets, replaced the older handlines.
Market conditions also improved with increasing demand for fish on
the European markets and high prices. New opportunities were opened
up for the local fishermen in the north. Their close connection with and
dependency on the merchants of Bergen was loosened. They gradually
became more able to choose between different market
alternatives—drying their fish for sale to Bergen in the traditional way,
selling it directly to sailing producers of salted and dried fish, or selling it
to local tradesmen. With increased demand in the markets these different
groups competed against each other when buying the fish. Of course, this
competition proved to be an advantage to the fishermen, as it resulted in
higher prices in the first hand.
The establishment of the so-called Pomor trade was another
important change which took place in the north in this period. 289 This
was a kind of barter between local Norwegian small scale fishermen and
288 Knudsen 1973, Hartvigsen 1979, Solhaug 1976 og Knutsen (ed.) 1988.
289 Solhaug 1976, 245-264. Niemi (ed.) 1992 has a comprehensive bibliography.
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