The fishing industry forms an integral and major part of the economic structure of Møre og Romsdal County. This county has long been a stronghold of exploitation of the rich fish resources found off Norway's coast. In the postwar period Møre og Romsdal ranked first among the counties of Norway in the export of fish and fish products, second in the number of fishing boats, third in the total amount and initial value of annual landings of fish, and third in the number of fishermen. According to the 1946 census, 13 per cent of the total rural population of Møre og Romsdal was supported by men giving hunting and fishing as their occupation. In addition the population of the cities of Ålesund, Kristiansund, and Molde as well as smaller villages are to a large extent dependent upon fishing, fish processing and export, and activities closely associated with or serving various phases of the fishing industry.