On the Greenland coasts, and especially between latitudes 60° and 61° N., P. fcetida, P. vitulina, P. groenlandica, P. barbata, and Cystophora cristata, are abundant, more particularly the last-named. The catch amounts to some 89,000 annually. The total production of blubber, including that from white whales, &c., is estimated at 2050 tuns yearly, of which 500 are used by the natives for lighting, and 100 for food. Harpoons, lances, guns, and nets are employed in the chase.
The 15 Norwegian vessels engaged in sealing in 1879 procured 30,000 crested seals or "hoods" (Cystophora cristata), and 55,000 of other kinds, old and young. The yield of oil was reckoned at upwards of 17,000 barrels. The price was as low as 36-48 kroner (of ls. 1id.) a barrel, whereas a few years since it was 70 kr. in the German markets. The exports of seal-blubber from Sweden and Norway in 1879 were 16,938 hostel. (of 22 gal.). It is hardly possible yet to judge of the effects of the lately made law for the protection of the seals in the Arctic Seas during the season after they have cast their young ; but there is good reason to expect that it will somewhat postpone their extermination, which at one time appeared immediately imminent.
Of the extent of the Russian seal-harvest in the White Sea and thereabouts, no accurate statistics are procurable, but the catch is approximately said to be only half that of the Caspian. In the latter, about 140,000-160,000 poods (of 36 lb.) are obtained every year.
The average quantity of oil afforded by 1000 seals is roughly estimated at 10 tuns. In the Russian fisheries, Cystophora cristata is reckoned to yield 360 lb. of blubber ; Phoca groenlandica,160 240 lb. ; P. annelata, 120 lb. In Newfoundland, P. groenlandica, old, gives an average of 288 lb. of blubber, producing 221 gal. of oil ; same species, young, 225 lb. of blubber, 22 gal. of oil ; Cystophora cristata, young, 230 lb. of blubber, 21 gal. of oil ; same species, bedlam or, 246 lb. of blubber, 21i gal. of oil. The skins and blubbers brought in by the hunters are stripped apart, and undergo separate treatment. The latter are generally put into wooden cribs, with pans beneath to catch the exuding oil, no artificial heat being employed. The oil which runs out during the first 2-3 months is called " pale seal," and forms 50-70 per cent. of the whole. As putrefaction sets in, the oil becomes darker and more offensively odorous. The solid refuse and the clippings of the skins are boiled to
yield further quantities of "boiled seal-oil." This old process, though still widely surviving, is superseded in the best factories by steaming the blubber, by which all the oil, of a uniform and much better quality, is extracted in 12 hours. (For Fur-seal-oil, see p. 1375).
(Fa., Huile de Reguin). —The seas of N. latitudes are inhabited by four species of shark—the " Greenland shark" (Scymnus borealis [Sgualus glacialis]), the "basking shark" (Selacho maxima), the " picked dog-fish" (Squalus acanthias), and the kulp or hoastorsh (Spalus spinax niger); the livers of these fish afford valuable oil.
The first-named numerously frequents the banks which may be traced in a line for nearly the whole length of the W. coast of Norway, at distances varying from 50 to 100 miles from the land ; in greater abundance, however, on that portion which fringes the coast of Nordland and Finmark, as far as the North Cape, and between the latter and Cherry or Bear Island. They are met with, moreover, throughout the whole North Sea and Arctic Ocean, as well as in most of the fjords on the W. coast of Norway, at 100-200 fathoms, and their pursuit forms an important and remunerative branch of the Icelandic fisheries during a portion of the year. Formerly the Norwegian shark fishery was confined to the immediate vicinity of the coast; but of late it has been more especially and lucratively prosecuted on the banks commencing at about 68° N. lat. Shark-fishing is now carried on vigorously by the Russians in the bays about the peninsula of Kola, Lapland. The fish are taken by means of large, strong hooks, baited with fish or about 1 lb. of seal-blubber, taken from seals caught at Spitzbergen and then salted while fresh. In Iceland, horse-flesh is preferred before all other bait. Porpoise-blubber sometimes replaces seal. The fishery begins about the end of September, and continues through the winter till the end of February. From N. Iceland, it recom mences as soon as the drift-ice will permit, say March-April. The length of the fish varies from 10 to 18 ft. The value depends almost solely upon the size, quantity, and quality of the liver, whioh yields 15-60 gal. of fine oil. In summer, the livers are almost valueless. The flesh and skin are usually thrown away, though possessing considerable value.