This study attempts to present analyses covering all three corners of Worster's triangle. This is achieved by applying multiple perspectives on the interaction between North Sea herring populations and the human fisheries systems and societal factors impacting the fisheries.

The individual analyses in chapters 4-11 each address at least two corners of the triangle. The synthesising chapter 11, however, is intended to present a system of herring exploitation in the North Sea, approx. 1600-1850 as well as analyses spanning all three ‘corners’.

The next step is to apply the above theories on interaction between man and nature to the empirical past of the North Sea ecosystem and North Sea history as observed in the exploitation of herring, between approx. 1600- 1850. In order to construct relevant sets of observations, a number of hypotheses must be defined and tested. The main hypotheses examined in this study are the following, listed here according to their primary perspective on each particular issue:

Methodological:

• • A uniform set of historical data will allow for the reconstruction of lengthy time series with regards to fishing effort and catch rates.

• • Historical research will allow for reconstruction of the spatial dimensions of the North Sea herring exploration pattern.

• • The above two hypotheses allow us to differentiate between natural and human impacts on a former ecosystem.

• • Theories from modern marine ecology can provide new insights into the history of the North Sea herring fisheries

Mainly ecological:

• • The total extraction of North Sea herring can be measured over a period of several centuries

• • Did fisheries have a significant impact on the abundance of North Sea herring, or not?

• • How did the population of North Sea herring fluctuate during the defined time period?

• • How did the stock of North Sea herring migrate, both seasonally and over decades?

Mainly anthropogenic:

• • What was the total production of salted herring in the North Sea area?

• • Who were the main producers of herring during this period?

• • How did the main producers differ in terms of their mode of production?

• • Which factors characterised the development of European herring consumption?

• • How was the European salted herring market integrated?

• • How did the organisation of Dutch herring fisheries influence fishing strategy

• • How can the cooperative behaviour of the Dutch fishers be addressed with modern theories on information sharing systems?