Shark fishing

shark pits

Shark fishing is first mentioned in sources from the 14th century when a lot of liver-oil was exported from Iceland. There is little reason to doubt that shark fishing had begun much earlier. Shark fishing was usually carried out with various hocks, sinkers and lines. Mostly done from open boats over the wintertime’s. Old and putrefied horsemeat where used for bait and some liked to ad a bottle of rom to the mix.

Shark pits where used to bury the shark. The shark was cut into chunks and buried under gravel or mud for several weeks. this would help get the ammonium out of the meat and make it edible. After the burying the shark would be washed and hung up under sail-yards for 3 to 4 months.