Norfish 10 Danish Kattegat Herring Fishery 1520-1899.pdf

The Kattegat is historically important as the entry to the Baltic from the North Sea and the wider Atlantic. For centuries, whoever held control of this region determined the rights and abilities of shipping to pass safely. Taxes were levied on passing vessels and local fisheries were recognised separately as a result. The local herring fishery was typically subject to the “oar tax” which extracted a value in herrings per vessel as payment for safe landing and harbouring in the Kattegat.