The state of the Arctic Cod
Abstract
The shoals of skrei ( i.. e. large mature cod) which each winter
migrate from the Barents Sea to the spawning grounds on the Norwegian
coast have always been the most important resources fitr the cod fisheries
of North Norway. It is therefore with great concern that the Norwegian
authorities have noted the marked decline which has taken place in the yield
of this fishery in later years. The following report is an attempt to study
this decline.
The biological and statistical data which were available to us
while working up this report were restricted and in part unsatisfactory. By
waiting some years more for further information we could undoubtedly have
presented a more complete picture of the state of the arctic cod. It was
felt, however, that some of the features of this preliminary report were
important enough to deserve close consideration by the nations which are
interested in this northern area.