Russian-Norwegian Trade and Economic Relations in the Field of Fishery in the 19th Century

Abstract

The 19th century was a time of building trade and economic relations between the Russian Empire and Norway in the field of fishing and harvesting of marine animals. The increased consumption of fish and fish products in the two neighbouring countries, as well as in European countries, stimulated the development of fishing in the Arctic Ocean and in the coastal waters of the two states. The modernization of the fishing fleet, the improvement of fishing facilities, and the expansion of the geography of the fisheries covering the northern islands all contributed to an increase in the volume of fish and marine animals harvested. Spitsbergen, Novaya Zemlya, Greenland, Franz Josef Land, Medvezhy Island, etc. have become fishing areas for Norwegian and Russian fishermen. Bilateral treaties between the Russian Empire and Norway enabled Pomor fishermen to fish in Norwegian coastal waters. During the period under consideration, large entrepreneurs began to stand out in the Russian North, owning a large number of fishing vessels and selling fish and fish products not only on the Russian domestic market, but also abroad (mainly in European countries). By the end of the 19th century, fishing and harvesting of marine animals had become the leading branch of the economy of the Russian North, and trade and economic cooperation between the Russian Empire and Norway in the field of fishery was an example of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two neighbouring powers. Development of a unique language Russenorsk (a pidgin language) actively used both by Pomors and Norwegians has also contributed to strengthening of Russian-Norwegian trade-economic rela- tions in the Russian North. The article analyzes Russian-Norwegian trade treaties and uses rare pre-revolutionary sources in Russian, Norwegian, Danish, English, and Spanish.