water along the coast. In vast shoals the fish approaches the coast either to spawn (Lofoten fisheries) or in search of food (Finmark fisheries). The yield of the fisheries naturally varies to some extent from one year to another. The two seasonal fisheries just mentioned yielded 127,237 tons of cod in 1931 and 167,410 tons in 1932. Including the other, minor cod fisheries the yield was 149,534 and 188,121 tons respectively. Of these great masses of fish the greater part is prepared into klipfish and stockfish, which rank among the leading exports of Norway. The fisheries are attended by large numbers of wholesale buyers. On receipt the fish is gutted and washed, and that intended for klipfish pro- duction is salted and later laid out to dry. Some of the fish is dried by artificial means. In addition to cod (Gadus callarias), also coalfish (Gadus virens), haddock (Gadus exglefinus), ling (Molva molva), and tusk (Brosmius brosme) are used for this purpose. Klipfish is mainly exported from the ports of Bergen, Aalesund, Kristiansund, and Bodg. Before being shipped, however, it must be inspec- ted and classified by the competent authorities in accordance with the Act of September 30, 1921. This measure, which took effect on May 1, 1924, has two objects: To ensure a good quality and fair trade. In the certificate issued by the govern- ment inspector the foreign buyer has a guarantee that the fish really fills the requirements deter- 145 Io