A^ V] <^ /} /a ^ / s IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 :?:" I.I 1^ ^^ i«2,8 i^ 2.2 140 120 1.8 1.25 1-4 III 1.6 7 Viti PISHING BOUNTIES. Under the provisions of the Tj-eaty of Washington, of 1871, the fishermen of the United States of America were, among other privileges, admitted to the free use of the Canadian inshore fish- eries, the enjoyment of which had, during the period between the abrogation of the reciprocity treaty of 1854 and the ratifica- tion of the above named treaty, been reserved to British subjects exclusively. In view of the competition to which the enjoyment of these fisheries by foreigners exposed Canadian fishermen, it was deemed expedient by the Canadian Government for the encouragement of, and assistance in, the building and fitting oat fishermen and the development of the deep sea fisheries, to grant annually, as a b3upty, a sum of $150,000 ; which sum would represent about 3J per cent, on the award of the Halifax Com- mission as the compensation paid Canada for the privileges accorded United States' citizens in excess of those accorded to Canadians by the treaty of Washington. Since 1882, there has been a total sum of $1,403,262 paid in the shape of bounties among fishermen of the Mai-itime Provinces ; being an average yearly distribution of $156,657 among an average of 33,662 fish- ermen. li ;.('ifl'^.l>'};-^'; In 1882, there were 11,9*72 claims paid to 29,9M2 fishermen. 1'^ " 1889 " 17,078 " " 38,343 •' ^<>n«v o • being an increase of 5,106 claims and 8,411 fishermen. ^••^<>« oH During the eight years since 1882, the average number of vessels claiming bounty was 837, representing a tonnage of nearly 32,000 tons. The average number of boats was 13,493 and the average number of fishermen 27,000. The highest individual bounty paid was $17, and the general average per man $4.65. AETIPICIAL FISH CULTURK. The great advantages to be derived from supplementing by artificial means the natural facilities of our waters for re-pro- ducing all kinds of fish are so well established by experience, that it is scarcely necessary to enlarge on them. Even in their natural state, our rivers have a limit* of productiveness ; but owing to climatic causes and other accidents this is seldom reached, and where artificial obstructions occui', the streams are deprived of their capacity. The area of re-production is thus greatly contracted. When to these causes of deterioration are added improved appliances for capturing fish and increased numbers engaged in fishing, it becomes imperative to substitute some efficient means of providing for a yearly growing demand. This can be done by the establishment of hatcheries. With ade- quate accommodation, everydescriptionof fresh water fish may^be reproduced and particularly those kinds which are best adapted for canneries and available for domestic food. There are at present thirteen hatcheries in operation in the Dominion, as follows : — Ontario 3 Quebec 4 New Brunswick 2 NovaSootia , 2 Prince Edward Island ,....^.......f.. 1 4 Since 18*79, six of these establiBhmente have been put np^ giving one hatchery to each Province. Fully realizing the importance of supplementing the inroads made by man on the shore fisheries of the ocean, the Govern- ment is now engaged providing means for the artificial hatching of Lobsters, and the success already achieved in this direction by the sister province of Newfoundland is a promising augury of success. While the total number of fry distributed from these hatcher- ies in 1879 was only 21,000,000, it reached 90,213,000 in 1890, and has averaged, for the past six years over 80,000,000. Whitefish and salmon-trout not being indigenous to the waters of the Mari- time Provinces, efforts have been made during the past three or four yeai*8 to introduce them into the numerous lakes of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Success bids fair to crown this experiment. The number of men employed in the fisheries was, in 1879, in vessels, 8,818, and in boats, 52,577, altogether 61,395 ; and in 1889, in vessels, 9,621, and in boats, 55,382, making a total of 65,003 men, or 3,608 more fishermen in 1889 than in 1879. The value of the fisheries in 1879 was $13,529,254, and in 1889 was $17,655,256. The total amount from 1879 to 1889, both in- clusive, was $185,257,219 — a steady increase from thirteen to seventeen millions of dollars since 1879. Canada, since 1878, has 'expended $1,633,531 in the protection of her fisheries, in addition to $1,403,262, in bounties to fishermen. Table showing number, tonnage and value of vessels and boatt engaged in the ^sheries of Canada, together with the value of fishing materials employed, during 1879 and 1889 .• — 1879. 1889. Vessels, number 1,183 1,100 " tonnage 43,876 44,936 " .>lue $1,714,917 2,064,918 Boats, li. )er.... 26,616 29,666 " valu*> $854,289 965,010 Value of nets and seines $988,698 1,691,085 Value of other fishing material $466,717 2,149,138 Total of capital invested $4,014,621 6,770,161 The fostering care of the Government has been exercised upon the fishermen of Canada, with most beneficial effect. Canada's fleet of fishing vessels cannot now be surpassed, in trimness, in seaworthiness and in adaptability to the pui-pose, by the fishing fleet of any country ia the world.