Report concerning early marine resource exploitation in the Altafjord region based on early historical sources

Abstract

The report provides a commented overview of a wide variety of early written sources, relevant historical studies and local history concerning the exploitation of marine/maritime resources in the Altafjord region. The purpose is to retrieve information on which resources were traditionally harvested in which seasons and where. Tooltypes and catchment technologies are considered as far as possible. The report suggests which resources and technologies may have been used also in prehistoric times.

The sources give an impression of a fjord rich in fish, with the richest seafishing located to the fjord north of Talvik, summer and winter. Handlines were the dominant technology until the 17-1800s, but the sources show considerable diversity in early methods. Fishing in the shallow fjordal bays have also been economically viable at times. Here semi-passive tools were probably common in prehistoric periods.

Salmonfishing completely dominates the sources with regard to anadromous species. Intensive use of barrier fences was prominent in the historic salmon fisheries, but traditional methods such as spearing with leisters and semi-passive forms such as weir-nets continued to be used into modern time.

The sources indicate substantial presence of Harbour seal in most parts of the fjord. However, only the Rafsbotn area and parts of the Alta river are mentioned as particularly lucrative catchment places.

The sources also describe many whales in the Altafjord in general, but focus particularly on the presence of large Baleen species in the area between Bossekop-Rafsbotn and Talvik in the winter.