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 retained
 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 almost
 exclusively of rowing-boats, and deck vessels were very little employed
 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 Rowingthan
 12 tons boats

14
0

at 1121
355 1002
394 8i1
491 650