THE FISHERIES 
From early limes the fisheries have been of the greatest importance 
to the Icelanders. During the colonization of the country fish in firths 
and lakes constituted the main assets of the land, and there is little 
doubt that at first many of the settlers lived largely on fish, birds’ 
eggs and other natural produce. In the fourteenth century fish became 
the staple article of export, and the fishing steadily developed till the 
end of the fifteenth century. For the next hundred years fish still re- 
tained its place as the chief commodity, but then a decline set in, and 
it is not till the nineteenth century, and more especially during the last 
fifty years or so, that any real development in this important industry 
is visible. As, however, official fishery statistics were not issued till 
1897, this article will be devoted mainly to the growth of the fishing 
industry since the beginning of the present century. 
THE EISHING FLEET 
Up to about sixty years ago the Icelandic fishing fleet consisted al- 
most exclusively of rowing-boats, and deck vessels were very little em- 
ployed here till towards the close of last century. In 1876 the total 
number of open boats was 3208; that of deck vessels only 38, all very 
small. But during the subsequent 30 years their number constantly 
increased, particularly after 1890. Since 1905 this increase has been 
as follows: 
ear 
1905 
i010 
1915 
1920 . 
1925 . 
jo27 | 
Motor boats 
Sailing of 12 tons 
Jessels and upwards 
120 
201 
185 
Other 
Trawlers steamers 
=U 
28 
47 
a6 
27 
20 
Motor boats 
of less Rowing- 
than 12 tons boats 
14 
0 
at 1121 
355 1002 
394 8i1 
491 650