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THE SEA AND lilVEK

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NEW BRUNSWICK

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ll>;U .■>lAJi;Sii'^- l.MUiUAllOK Ol'i-'ICEK AT SAi.ST .)0H«, KKW iliiUN.-' U l<

(j:!i:cond edition.)

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J 'fhesi' Ht-'iTins Wi lo .<rn,iriitrly laid Vief'^i'i tli-^ t.ojHulaturn bv t'lmimanJ of llib J'^Miilim v \
\ ihc Li'nN'mnit Governor, in 1840, 18.10. miU 18.'51, ana wprn then printofl by orili-r of tin v
> Ho>. " of A-'ctmbly. Now, rqyintod ci^llucuvcly, by order of His Excellency i" •'< c il ^

FREDERICTON ;

.1. ii:«l'SON, I'SIMTKH TO THE qVKEN': MOST tXCELlKNT MAJESTY.

Ib52.

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REPORTS

ON

THE SEA AND RIVER

«»

NEW BRUNSWICK,

ST

M. H PERLEY, Esquire,

«Bn MAJESTY'S EMIGRATION OFFICEK AT 8A1HT JOHN, NEW BRVN3WICK.

(second edition,)

^lie^ fi«pori6 were separately laid before the Legislature by command of His Excellency
the Lieutenant Goyemor, in 1849, 1850, and 1851, «nd were then printed by order of the
H«u«e of Assembly. Now, reprinted coUectiTely, by orJer of His Excellency in Council.

PREDERICTON:

<».liakrsoii, ratittER to rat «tuM's most bxcillmt majesty.

1853.

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Government Emigration Office,

Saint John, New Brunswick,

5th January, 1852.

The three Reports herein contained, were separately laid
before the Legislature of this Province, in 1849, 1850, and
1851, by command of His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor,
and were severally printed, at those periods, by order of the
House of Assembly. Copies of these Reports having become
scarce, they are now reprinted collectively, by order of His
Excellency the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

The undersigned has availed himself of this opportunity to
correct and extend the Catalogue of Fishes. Seven species
not mentioned in the first Catalogue, have. been added to the
list in the present edition ; and the descriptions generally have
been enlarged and amended. The Catalogue is not yet, how-
ever, so complete or satisfactory as the undersigned could wish;
find he still respectfully solicits information from all who may
be willing to assist in rendering it more perfect.

The various letters and documents appended to the several
Reports when they were first printed, will be found together
in the Appendix to this edition. To these have been added
some recent Reports and other documents, which will be found
not only interesting, but exceedingly useful.

M. H. PERLEY.

H. M. Emigration Officer.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS.

REPORT IN 1849, on the Fisheries of the
Gulf of Saint Lawrence,

The Herring— Dutch mode of curing,
Mode of fishing by drift nets.
Quantity exported from Northern Counties,

The Cod— Best fishing grounds,
Mode of splitting and curing,
The Capelin — its decrease,
Cod fishery at Labrador,
Quantity of Cod exported from Northern Ports,
Facilities for Cod fishing on Gulf Coast,
Bultow mode of fishing for Cod,

The Mackerel— Abundant in the Gulf,
Quantity exported from Northern Ports,
American mode of fishing for Mackerel,
English mode of Mackerel fishing,

The Salmon — Rivers which supply them.
Quantity exported from Northern Ports,
Preservation of the Salmon fishery.

The Whale— Its fishery in the Gulf,

The Seal — Its various kinds,

Shell-Fish— Lobsters at Portage Island,
Oysters on the Gulf Coast,

River Fisheries— Gaspereaux, Shad, and Basse,
Sea Trout, Brook Trout, and Smelts,
Eels and Flounders,

REPORT in 1850, ON the Sea and River Fisheries
OF New Brunswick, within the Gulf of
St. Lawrence,

District North of the Miramichi— Portage
Island,
Extent and character of this Island ; Cod fishery ;
Salmon atid Lobsters preserved in tins ; Ame-
rican vessels fish near this Island, and trade on
the Miramichi; great neglect of the Mackerel
fishery ; Salmon fishing illegally prosecuted
under permission to cut gress,

Tabusintac Gully— Description ; depth of water ;
Mr. M*Leod's fishing station ; Qumber of boats
and men ; quantity of fish caught,

Tracady Gully— Mr. Young's fishing station ; fish-
ery formerly extensive here ; Capelin destroyed
for manure ; White or Sea Trout,

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VI.

Shippagax Gully— Fishing-room of Fming & Co.
in c])arge of Captain Alexandre ; quantity of
Cod taken ; details of the fishery ; Monsieur
Robicheaux's fishing, and tl»e prices he gets ;
Herrings for manure, 31 -

Miscou Island-— Very little good land, but excellent
fishing station ; description of Little Shippagan
Harbour ; Andrew Wilson's establishment ;
information from him ; his opinion as to Ameri-
can fishermen ; Flerrings used here as manure, 32

POINI MiSfOU — Fishing-room in charge of Mr. De
(^artcret ; American vessel throwing over Cod,
to make room for Mackerel, which were abun-
dant ; Fisliing-room in charge of Mr. LeBas ;
improvident grant of fishery station at this place, 3(5
The Settlers on Miscou— List of their names;
their petition ; their poverty, and state of bon-
dage and neglect, 37
Shippagan Island— Character and extent; Grande

Batture, 40

Great Shippagan Harbour— This a triple Har-
bour ; its facilities for the fisheries ; St. Simon's
Inlet; Canal required from theivce to Poke-
mouche River, ^ 40

Caraquet Bay — Its position and extent; thefislieries
described by Mr. Blackball and Mr. M'Intoah;
Establishment of Robin & Co. in charge of Mr.
13-iard ; Herring fishery in this Bay described ;
mode of curing the Herrings, ; ' 41

Grande Ance— Cod fishery within three miles of the
shore; American vessels fishing here; Breakwater
needed, 44

Teague's Brook— Coastdescribed; Breakwater and

landing place needed here, 45

Petit Rocher— Fishing station of Mr. John Wool-

ner ; prices allowed the fishermen ; salted lobsters, 45

Green Point— Fishing boats here ; imperfect outfit, 46

Heron Island — All the best beaches granted ; good
Herring fishery ; Mr. Harvey's opinion as to the
American fishermen, 46

Dalhousie— Success of the settlers from Arran ;
Capelin used for. manure ; Mr. Dugald Stewart's
opinion as to American fishermen, 47

District of Gaspb ; Tracadegash— The fisheries
in and Bear Carleton Bay; opinions as to Ame-
rican fishermen ; scarcity of Cod ; Mackerel abun-
: dant, but nojt taken ; White Porpoises ; Herrings
. well cured by Mr. Mann; fishing schooner from
Labrador, 48

viK

nONAVENTURE IIarbour— Messrs. Boissonnult'a
fishing station; Fisheries at this place ; description
of the harbour and river ; •• Tide-trout" enter the
Basin with every flood, and go out with the ebb
Ude. 41)

Paspebiac— Description ; Fishing establishment of
Robin & Co. and LeBoutillier Brothers ; American
Mackerel vessels off this pl^ce ; Robin & Co.
do not allow offal to li>e tliJ:9wn on the fishing
grounds,

General Summary of Northern Districts—
Return of boatu and men employed, and quantity

;; of fish caught ; Duties coUectsu at Shippagan in
]849^ opinion as to emuggiing,

District South of the Miramichi— Tlie coast
from Baydn Vin to Richibncto Head; statements
of Mr. Powell, Mr. Long, and Mr. Wathen, as
to fisheries near Richibucto ; information iVoni
Prince Edward Island fisliermen ; American Mac-
kerel fishers on tl.'s coast; d?pth of water at
entrance to Richibucto Harbour, 54

50

52

Richibucto Head to Shediac— Buctouchrf and
Cocagne Flarbour ; number of fishing boats on this
coast ; information from Mr. M'Phelim, and letter
from Dr. William Y. The^l, j , , 56

Siiediac Harbour to Baie Verte— Harbours of
Aboushagan, Tedish, and Sheniogue ; Mackerel
always abundant along this coast ; Fisheries in
Baie' Verte, 58

Sea-Fish, Fishing, and Fishing Tackle— Varie-
ties of fish in the Gulf; description of lines, hooks,
nets, and tackle, in use ; Cod fishery by set-nets
on the coast of Norway, 59

RJVER FISHERIES ; River JVIiramichi— Its
fisheries described ; the la for theif regulations ;
statements of Mr. M'Kay, Mr. Williston, Mr.
Parker, Sheriff Black, Hon. J. dnnard and Judge
Davidson ; Letters of James L. Price, and Alex-
ander Davidson, ne to Salmon fishery ; conclusions
from preceding information; opinion of the Com-
missioners of the Irish Fisheries, 62

Tabusintac River— Basse, Gaspereaux, and Sal-
mon, formerly abundant ; tliese fis)if ^i^^ T^ovr
nearly degtroye^, ,.»-,,- t • ■ ' , . 71

ir^lACADy RiyBJIL, AIjip PoK^MOUCHE RlVEIl— Gas-
pere^iix »nd Qasse 0s|te)ries; ^alwori fishery

. nearly 4t ^n end ; large Trout obpi^ii^iM' in these
mm; « Ti^e-trout'' ^t PpkerijpuciUft 72

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Nepisiguit River— Ite pecuHar character; welF
adapted to fly-fishing for Salmon ; great destruc-
tion of Salmon out of season, by poachers ; Mr.
End's letter, stating proceedings of Sessions against
these persons ; wanton destruction of all kinds of
game,

Rivers between Bathurst and Dalhousie—
Salmon, and large Trout, in neariy all these
Rivers ; .Tacqnet River described ; dam at River
Benjamin, and manner in which small Salmon
pass up the sluice-way,

Restigouche Rjver— Magnitude and extent of this
noble Rivef ; statements of Mr. Ferguson, Mr.
Duncan, Mr. R. H. Montgomery, Mr. Dugald
Stewart, Hon> J. Montgomery, Mr. Mann, and
Mr. Meagher as to Salmon Fishery aud manner
in which, it is being destroyed,

RIVERS SOUTH OP THE MIRAMICHI— Com4

described as low and sandy ; Rivers broad and shal-
low ; Tide flows up them a considerable distance,

KOUCHIBOUGUAC Rl VERS— Effects of mill-dams on
these rivers,

RiCHlBUCTO River— Us extent ; dam on main river,
and on each of its tributaries ; statements of Mr.
Pow«»ll, and Mr. Wathen, as to the former and
present state of the fisheries in this river,

BUCTOUCHE Rivers— Their extent ; Fisheries des-
troyed ; Smelts used as manure ; abundance (tf
large eels,

Cocagne River— Dam at head of the tide; valu-
able fishery completely destroyed,

Shediac and Scadouc Rivers— Dams on each,
and fisheries destroyed ; destruction of Salmon
out of season ; Oysters good and abundant at
Shediac, .

Rivers from Shediac to Nova Scotia Boun-
dary—All small and shallow ; Gaspereaux, and
"Tide-trout"^ only.

Commercial value of the Gulf Fisheries

in 1849. ..,:■,„>,:.* , : ; i; ,■ , . .

Exports of fish from Gaspe in 1849,
Returns of fish inspected at Boston,

GENERAL SUMMARY— Cod Fishery in the
hands of the Jersey merchants ; River fisheries

" threatened with total extirction; Fishing-rooms
should be leased, none to '>e ^ranted; Mackerel
Fishery enjoyed by tl»e A me. bans ; Fishery Con-

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IX.

vention of 1 81 8, and opinion of Law officers there-
on; Americans now obtain what they desire witliout
equivalent ; people mnst be taught proper modes
of catching and curing Mackerel and Herring;
establishment of Fishery Board suggested ; Cara-
qnet Island recommended a% a statioy for a Fish-
ery Inspector ; general enactment necessary to
regulate River fisheries ; assessment on Salmon
nets to preserve the fishery; joint action with
Canada necessary, as to the Restigouche ; use of
valuable fish a? manure should be prohibited ; no
pickled fish should be exported, or sold, without
inspection ; Crown Fisheries in rivers should be
leased ; rents of fishing rooms, and river fisheries,
should be applied to the preservation and exten-
sion of the fislieries generally,

85

REPORT ON THE FISHERIES of the BAY OF FUNDY.

Character of the Bay and its Tides, 92

Grand Man an — Configuration and extent ; princi-
pal fisheries ; Cameron's Cojte — mode of split-
ting and curing Hake, 92

Doggett's Cove— Pickle for Hake; mode of curing

Cod, Pollack, and Haddock, 93

Flagg'S Cove — Exposed to easterly gales ; also to
intrusion of American fishing vessels; no inspec-
tion of fish at Grand Manan ; worthless fish sold
in consequence, 94

Long Island — Nova Scotia fishermen e. camped

here ; Hake and Pollack Fiahery, 94

Bencrafts* Point, High Duck Island, Gull
Cove— Fishery for Pollack on the " rips ;" Her-
ring Gulls on Whitehead Island ; bnild their nests
on trees; Audubon's description of his visit to
this place, 93

Grand Harbour, and Southern Head— Abu, i-
dance of lobsters in Grand Harbour; spawning
ground at Southern Head ; great destruction of
Herrings and spawn ; statements of Captain
M'Laughlin, and other residents, as to improper
fishing ; number of vessels at the Head, 97

Mode of catching Mackerel on the American plan,
and manner of cleaning and curing them^ as des-;
cribed by Capt. M'Laughlin, > lOO

Dark Harbour— This curious harbour described;

artificial entrance into it ; fisheries witliin the

Harbour, and in its vicinity ; its advantages as a

Harbour of Refuge ;. entfance sliould be enlarged

* and improved, 101

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Money Cove, and Long's Eddy— Weir at the
; Cove ; description of the beach at the Eddy ;
good line-fishing for Cod at this place, 103

Whale Cove — Its character; meeting of fishermen, 104

Return of boats, vessels, and men, engaged in the
fishefies at C(rand Manan ; the boats described ;
"gurry grounds;" herring- weirs, and opinions
respecting them, • 105

General Remarks,— Prapiical free-trade at Grand
Manan ; character of the people : want of educa-
tion ; more eflicient schools needed, 1 07

Campo Bello— Herring fishery; statement of the
quantity and value of fisli taken in one season,
and the number of vessels, boats, and fish-weirs, 108

Observations by Mr. John Alexander on the fisheries
of Campo Bello, 109

Mode of cleaning and curing Smoked Herrings,
as practised by Mr. Joseph Patch, 110

Smoke-houses, and modes of curing, by Mr. Batson,
and Mr. Flagg. 1 1 1

West Isles — A chister of islands and islets; number
of fis)\ing boats, British and American, mingled
together; the scene described, 112

The fishermen of West Isles described by Mr. Sabine, 1 13

Deer Island — Its characteristics ; description of
boats in use ; Chocolate Cov« — modes of curing
Pollack, and Herrings, at this locality, 114

Leonard's Cove; Mr. Neill's esiablishnient; his
opinion as to fishing on spawning ground at
Southern Head, 110

Coast from L'Etite Passage to Point Lepreaux, 1 1 7

The Wolves— Fishing bank in their vicinity, 1 18

Value of the Fisheries at West Isles ; Statement, 118

Ea6TPORT-^ Fishing establishments near water side, 1 19

Return of the fishing business at Eastport, 120

Mr. Treat's preserving establishnient ; Mr. French's
establishment; prices, and inode of business, 121

Lubec — Numerous smoke-houses ; extensive herring

weirs, 122

The Fisheries pp tiik HiVEft Saint Croix, 123
Dam^ on the S^int Croix ^ stt^tem^nl; of Edv^ard
Sydney Pyer; of Ninian Lyndsay ; letter from
Mes^ra. Lypdsi^v ^ Porter { Crowp grant of site
for IJpion Xlfll Pan) ; its restrictions an4 condi-
thami these should be enforced, ' 124

XI.

From Point Lepreaux to the Harbour of
i Saint John, 127

Fisheries WITHIN the Harbour of Saint John, 128

Mode of disposing of fishing berths annually ; Har-
bour fisheries described, 129

Letter from Mt- John Sandall, as to Harbour fish-
eries ; his estimate of their value, 130

Injuries to Saint John Harbour, by saw-dust and
mill rubbish, 131

Use of drift-nets ; standing weirs ouglit to be opened
on the Sabbatli, as in Ireland, 132

The River Saint John and its tributaries—
Kennebeckasis, Nerepis, Washadenioak, (Trand
Lake, Oroniocto, Nashwaak, Maduxnakeag,
Begaguimic, Tobique, Arestook, 133

From St. John eastwardly to Capf. Enrage—
Port Simonds, Black River, Emerson's Creek,
Gardner's Creek, Teignmouth, Quaco, Great
Salmon River, Long Beach, Little Salmon River,
Martin's Head, Goose Creek, Goose River, Point
Wolf River, Herring Cove, Upper Salmon Ri rer, 136

From Cape Enrage to the Boundary of JVova
Scotia — Shepody River ; the Petitcodiac ; tlie
. Rev. Mr. Gauvreau's letter; R. B. Chapman's
letter; Memramcook to Maranguin ; mode bf
curing Simd by George Buck ; Sackville Bay ;
manner of Sliad fishing by John Barnes ; his cure
' of Shad ; Sharks in this Bay ; estimate of Shad
taken on New Brunswick side of Cumberland Bay, 1 42

Salmon Fishery of the Petitcodiac River, 14'J
THE NOVA SCOTLA SHORE.

Cumberland Bay— Regulations for the Shad Fish-
ery ; the Missaguaslj, La Planolie, and River
Hebert; letter from Amos Seaman of Minudie, 150

The Coast to Apple River— Ragged .leef and
Sonth Joggins ; fossil trees on the cliffs ; fishery
at Apple River, and thence to Chignecto ; Fisher-
man's Cove ; Spencer's Island to Cape Sharp ;
Black Rock River ; West Bay ; fisheries for
Herrings and Pollack, lo3

Basin of Mines— Parrsboro' ; Herring and Cod
fisheries ; Shad fishery from Parrsboro' to Economy
Point ; Mr. Ho] jiday's fishing establishment, \55

Windsor — Valuable information from James Bur-
gess as to Shad fishery, and means of preserving
nets ; various fish, and fisheries, from Windsor to
Cape Split, • 156

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The South Shore of the Bay of FuNrY—Scotch
Bay ; the ledges described, from Black Rock
down to Brier Island ; season for each fishery on
these ledges ; sizes and description of fish, '159

Annapolis Basin— Celebrated for extent and variety
of its fisheries ; th? small herrings, called "Dig*
by Chickens ;" their destruction by weirg ; mode
of curing by Messrs. Ditmars of Clements ; dif-
ferences between their mode, and that in use at
Grand Manan and Campo Bello, 160

Briek Island — Large fishing population ; the fishe-
ries described ; mode of curing Cod by Captain
Laflfoley ; information from B. H. Ruggles, as to
fisheries at Brier Island ; return of boats, vessels,
and men, and quaniity of fish taken at Westport,
in 1850, 162

General Observations — The cure of fish ; Letter
from Edward Allison ; advantages of careful in-
spection in Scotland, 166

Foreign Markets for Fish— Prussia; Austria;
Russia ; France ; Holland ; Belgium ; Sweden
and Denmark ; Geneva, Leghorn, Naples, Sicily,
Venice, and Trieste ; Sardinia, Tuscany, the
Roman States, Greece, and the Ottoman Empire ;
Ionian Islands; Egypt; Spain, Cuba, and Porto
Rico ; Brazil ; the United States ; Letter from
Secretary to Board of British Fisheries; Jersey, 168

Fish Barrels— Their qr.ality; hardwood and hac-

matac, 171

Allowances, or Bounties, to American FfsH-
ING Vessels— Letter from Assistant Collector
of Boston, 1 72

Destruction of Fish on Spawning Grounds—
The Soutliern Head of Grand Manan ; this des-
truction carefully guarded against on spawning
grounds near coast of Scotland ; Steamers em-
ployed ; statements published by Boar4 of British
Fisheries on this subject, 1 73

Brush Weirs and Stake-nets— Brush weirs to be
regulated ; also size of mesh in Salmon and Shad
nets, 1 75

Summary — Imperfect and careless manner of curing ;
inspection a nullity ; enormous destruction of Her-
rings and their spawn ; injury to river fisheries
by mill-dams, and saw-dust; intrusion of Ameri-
can fishing vessels ; regulations needed as to brush
weirs, drift-nets, stake-nets and net- weirs; gene-
ral inspection law needed ; skilled persons wanted

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to teach curing and packing ; general law requi-
red for protection of sea and river fisheries ; in-
creased conveniences wanted for coast fishermen ;
superior schools needed at Grand Manan, Campu
Bello, and West Isles; longer neglect of the fish-
eries will lead to their dimunition and eventual
decay,

176

DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE (in part,) of the Fishes

of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, 179

Classification — The Bony Fishes, the Cartilaginous

Fishes, 180

Description of the Perch Family— The American Yel-
low >*erch ; the Striped Basse ; the Little White
Basse; the common Pond fish (Sun Fish.) 181

The Sculpin ; the common Bullhead ; the Greenland

Bullhead ; the Norway Haddock, 183

The Mackerel Family — The spring Mackerel ; the fall

Mackerel ; the common Tunney ; the Sword-fish, 185

The Goby Family— The Wolf-fish, 188

Fishes with wrists to pectoral fins — The American

Angler, 189

The Wrasse, or Rock-fish Family— The Tautog, or
Black Fish, 191

The Carp Family — The common Sucker ; the yellow
Shiner ; the Red-fin ; the Roach-dace, the Shining
Dace ; the Chub ; the Brook-minnow ; the striped
KiUifish, 192

The Sheat-fish Family— The common Cat-fish, i95

The Salmon Family— The Brook Trout ; the great
grey Trout; the Salmon Trout, or White Sea
Trout ; the Salmon ; the American Smelt ; the
Capelia; the White-fish, 195

The Herring Family — The common American Her-
ring ; the Britt ; the American Shad ; the Gaspe-
reaux, or American Alewive ; the Mossbonker ;
the Autumnal Herring, 205

The Cod Family — The common Cod ; the American
Cod ; the Tomcod ; the Haddock ; the American
Hake ; the Silver Hake ; the Coal-fish, or Pollack ;
the Torsk, Tusk, or Cusk ; the spotted Burbot,
or fresh water Cusk, 209

The Flounder Family — The Halibut; the common
Flounder ; the Sand-flounder, or small Dab ;'the
Fleuk, or common Dab, 216

The Lump-fish Family — The common Lump*fish, 218

The Eel Family— The common Eel ; the Sea Eel ; the
American Sand-launce, 219

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The Sturgeon Family— Tlie Sliarp-nosed Sturgeon; 220

The Shark Family— The Thresher Shark; the Basking

SImrk ; the Spinous Dog-fish, 222

The Skate Family— The Skate ; the Hedgehog Ray, 224

The Lamprey Family — The American Lamprey, 225

List of the popular names of Fishes, 227

List of works consulted, , , '' ' 228

APPENDIX. '

No. 1. Copy of letter from M. H. Perley, Esquire,
H. M. Emigration Officer, to the Provincial
Secretary, with first Rej, ;t on the Fislieries of
the Gulf of St. Lawrence, dated Mafch ath, 1849, 229

No. 2. Ci>py of instructions from the Provincial Secre-
tary, to M. H. Perley, Esquire, relative to the
Fisheries of New Brunswick, within the Gulf of
• Saint Lawrence, dated 3d August, 1849, 229

No. 3 Copy of letter from M. H. Perley, Esquire, to
the Provincial Secretary, with second Report on
the Sea and River Fisheries of the Gulf of Saint
Lawrence, dated January 22d, 1850, 230

No. 4. Copy of Circular letter, asking information as

to the Gulf fisheries, issued by M. B. Perliey, Esq. 231

Ko. 5. The Petition of the settlers at Miscou, 232

No. 6. Copy of letter from John Doran, Esquire, of

Shippagan, respecting the Sea Fisheries, 232

,No. 7. Rules and Orders respecting the Salmon fishery

in the County of Gloucester, 234

No. 8. Municipal Regulations. C6unty of Bonaventure,

in Gasp6, ■*■ - ^^^ -' ■"- ' r > 236

No. 9. Statem&nt of the tonnage and men employed,
in the Bank or Cod fishery of the United States,
the product of the sartie, and Aie ahrountof allow-
ance paid to the owners of vessels engaged in the
fisheries, during the year ehding 80th June, 1818, 237

No. 10. Statement of the quantity of pickled fish, ex-
ported from the United States, the bounty paid on
exportation, and the amount ol allowances paid to
the owners of vessels employed in the Bank or

'■; Codfisii^ry. fh)m l'843to 184fe,'inplusivte, 237

No. 11. Exhibit of the quantity ainivaloe of foreign

caught fish imported into the United States,

' ddring the years 182 J, 1832, 1838, 18'45, and

' ■ 1848, md the tttttttltttt 6f Auty Wbici tt<r*rtt4d on

the same, at the rate lidvi(^ iit eadh'|)eti^, 233

No. 12. Extract from the Convention bcttreen His
Britannic Majesty, and the United States of
America, signed at London, 20th Oct. 1818, 238

TSo. 13. Opinion of the Qneen'^s Advocate General,
and Her Majesty's Attorney General of England,
npon a case subnntted by the Assembly of Nova
Scotia, 88 to the construction of the Convention of
1818, relative to the fisheries, 239

l^o. 14. Copy of a letter from M. fl. Perley, Esquire,
to the Proivincial Secretary, with Report on the
Fisheries of the Bay of Fundy, dated 12th March,
1851, 241

No. 15. Copy of Commission from His Excellency the

Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scoiia, 242

No. 16. Copy of Circnlar letter asking information as

to the fisheries of the Bay of Fundy, 242

No. 17. Copy of letter from Cochran Craig, Esq., J.

P. of Grand Harbour, Grand Manan, 243

No. 18. Copy of letter from Daniel M'Laughlin, Esq.,

Capt. of Militia, Southern Head, Grand Manan, 215

No. 19. Copy of regulations for the Shad Fishery in

the County of Cumberland, Nova Scotia, 245

No. 20. Copy of letter on the Deep Sea Fisheries,
from the Honble. John E. Fairbanks, of Halifax,
Nova Scotia, 24G

No. 21. Extract of a Despatch from Lord Stanley to
Lord Falkland, dated 17th September, 1845, pre-
ceded by a note of the circumstances which led to
its transmission, 249

No. 22. Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy,
by Augustus F. Kynaston, Acting Commander
of Her Majesty's sloop '* Persian," addressed to
the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, 4th
September, 1851, 252

No. 23. Fishery Societies ; constitution of the Grand
Manan Fishery Society ; formation of other So-
cieties in Charlotte County; list of pr'^-.iiums,
first show offish at Campo Hello, 260

No. 24. The Cure of Fish ; directions for taking and
curing Herrings, and other Fish, issued by the
Conmiissioners of the British Fisheries, 264

No. 25. Report of the Hon. J. Hamilton Gray, on tho

operation of the Fishery laws in Charlotte County, 282

No. 26. Act of Assembly, passed 30th April 1851,
" for the protection of the Sea and River Fisheries
of this Province," 291

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XVI.

No. 27. Act of Assembly, passed 7th April 1852, "in
amendment of the Act for the protection and re-
gulation of the Sea and River Fisheries of this
Province," 293

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KEPORT

ON THE

FiSllEltlES OF THE Gl^LF OF SAINT LAWRENCE.

Laid before the House of Assembl) by Command of His Kxcellenry the Lieutenant
Governor, and ordered to be Printed 8th March 1849.

There is probably no part of the world in which such extensive
and valuable Fisheries are to be found, as within the Gulf of Saint
Lawrence. Nature has bountifully provided within its waters,
the utmost abundance of those fishes which are of the greatest im-
portance to man, as affording not only nutritious and wholesome
food, but also the means of profitable employment.

These fisheries may be prosecuted as well in the open waters of
the Gvilf, as within every bay, harbour, creek, cove, and inlet in
connection with it. Whether on the bleak and sterile coast of
liabrador ; or on the western coasts of Newfoundland and Cape
Breton ; or along the eastern shores of Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick ; or within the Bay of Chaleur ; or around Prince
Edward Island, Anticosti, or the Magdalen Islands, the fisherman
may pursue his labours with nearly equal chances of success, and
the full prospect of securing an ample reward for his toil.

With such valuable and unlimited fisheries in close proximity
to these Colonies, and as it may be said at the very doors of the
inhabitants, it is no less strange than true, that they are prosecuted
to the greatest extent, and with most profit, by citizens of France,
and of the United States.

The French exercise an almost exclusive right of fishing upon
the western coast of Newfoundland, the fertility and great mineral
wealth of which have only recently become known, and are not
yet fnlly appreciated.

From seven to eight hundred sail of American fishing vessels
enter the Gulf of Saint Lawrence annually ; and scattering over
the whole of its wide extent, with little heed of the limits to which
they are restricted by Treaty, pursue their business unmolested,
and but rarely leave their stations without full and valuable fares.
The Jersey merchants also prosecute these fisheries with great
zeal and assiduity, and, as it is believed, with much profit. They
have permanent establishments and fishing stations in Gaspe,
Labrador, and Newfoundland, and three or more establishments in
New Brunswick ; but they by no means confine themselves to any
particular locality. They employ upwards of one hundred vessels
almost exclusively in carrying the rich products cf the deep to
various foreign markets, besides the smaller craft required upon
the coast. Two of the leading Jersey firms, Messrs. Robin and Co.
and Nicolle Brothers, are supposed respectively to afford em-
ployment, directly or indirectly, to nearly one thousand persons.
The inhabitants of those shores of Cape Breton and Nova Scotia
which are within the Gulf, pursue the fisheries in their immediate

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Report on the Fisheries

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neighbourhood to a moderate extent ; and a few of their vessels
visit tlie Magdalen Islands, and the fiabrador coast, during the
season. The people of Prince Edward Island, who are favoura-
bly placed for securing a goodly portion of the riches of the sea,
make still more limited efforts ; but their efforts can scarcely be
described as more limited, or more feeble, than those of the people
of New Brunswick, who dwell upon its shores, from Baie Verte to
the western extremity of the Bay of Chaleur — those shores com-
manding as great an extent and variety of fishing ground, and as
abundant supplies of valuable fish of every description, as can be
found in any other part of the unrivalled Gulf of Saint Lawrence,
wliile they possess equal, and perhaps superior, facilities for prose-
cuting its fisheries, both extensively and profitably.

The most valuable Fisheries of the Gulf are those for Herring,
Cod, and Mackerel. But before entering upon the question of their
encouragement and extension, by increased facilities of communi-
cation, it will be proper to give some description of each. With
this view they will be taken up in the order of the fishing season ;
after which, the secondary fisheries of the Gulf will be briefly noticed.

THE HERRING.

The common Herrings {clupea elongata of DeKay and Storer,)
appear in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence at the end of April, or early
in May, and the fishing continues until about 10th June, when
they retire to deep water, having deposited their spawn. These
" spring herrings," as they are termed, are taken in " set nets "
along the whole eastern shore of New Brunswick, around Miscou
Island, and within the Bay of Chaleur. Being caught while in
the very act of spawning, they are thin and poor, of little value as
an article of food, whether fresh or salted. Another herring
appears on the coast about the 20th August, and remains in-shore
for a month ; these are fat and in good condition, furnishing excel-
lent food, and a valuable commodity for export. It is admitted,
that when first caught, these " fall herrings " are fully equal in
every respect to the best Scotch herrings ; and if they were cured
in the Dutch manner, this fishery, from the increased price and
demand, would become one of the most important and valuable
fisheries of the Gulf.

The herring is the animal delicacy of Holland, and there enjoys
a very different reputation from that of the common salt herring
of Britain or America ; yet the fish of both Holland and Britain
ore the same, being caught on the same fishing grounds, and those
of North America are in no respect inferior.

The Dutch mode of curing herrings is thus described by Mr.
Chambers, in his " Tour in Holland in 1838 :"—

" Immediately on being caught, the herrings are bkd, gtiiled, cleaned, sailed,
and barrelled. The bleeding is eflFected by cutting them across the back of the
neck, and then hanging them up for a few seconds by the tail. By being thus
relieved of the blood, the fish retain a certain sweetness of flavour, and delicacy
of flesh which unbled herrings cannot possiblt/ possess. The rapidity of the
process of caring, must likewise aid in preserving the native delicacy ol the

Of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. 3

Atiimal, for the licrring lies snlteil in the barrel, in a very ft-w minutes after it
has been swimming in the water. 1 was assured that the superiority of the
Dutch herrings is solely nscribable to this mode of curing."

The greater mercpntile value of the Dutch herrings, on tlie Con-

tinent of Europe, being found to arise Holely from this mode of

curing, tlie Commissioners of the Britisli Fisiieries (in Scotland)

were induced to devote great attention to it, and to urge its general

adoption by every means in their power. Their officers and

inspectors were directed to brand every barrel of herrings, cured

according to the Dutch mode, with the figure of the Crown. In

their official Report for 1844, the Comniissioners state that —

•' The unprecedented demsnd from the Continent for Crown brand herrings,
is a sufficient proof of the rare with which the integrity of the brand is preserved,
nn \\A\ (IS of th« Itigh value which is set upon it, in all the Continental markets.
It was the strong conviction impressed upon the minds of the Commissioners, of
the vital importance of preserving the integrity of the brand, which compelled
them to exercise the painful duty of dismissing from the service, one of the
Board's oldest officers. As he had branded a cargo of herrings, which after-
wards went to Hamburg, where they were complained of, as having been found
nnworthy of the brand, the Hoard despatched the <Jeneral Inspector of the Ka-*t
Coast to that place, in order that he might rigidly examine the contents of all
the barrels; and on receiving an unfavourable report as to the result of bis
investigation, the officer was immcdiatdy dismissed. Tli€ effect of this prompt
measare has been, to raise the character of the brand even higher in the estima-
tion of tlie finreign fish raerchant«, to whom the circumstances were generally
known. It is by the preservation of the purity of the official brand, that the
produce of the British herring fishery is to be upheld in character abroad, and
the demand for it largely extended in foreign markets."

As a proof of the gradually increasing confidence which the
Crown brand received on the Continent, the Commissioners furnish
•a statement of the nun ber of barrels exported to the Continent,
during the preceding seven years, commencing with 57,388 barrels
in 1837, and annually increasing to 181,583 barrels in 1843.

The Commissioners further say —

*' An extensive export merchant has given it as his opinion, that if great care
sliall be continued in the selection, cure, and official inspection of the fish, the
Continent of Europe would consume more British herrings than are now caught
in our fisheries. Although they have to contend with all the disadvantages of a
<luty levied en them often shillings per barrel, British herrings are now brought
into ccmpetition with Belgian fish in their own markets, and are annually
diminishing the sale of Dutch herrings, by furnishing part of the supplies in
markets formerly entirely dependant on them. By this means their price has
been so reduced, that the number of " busses" fitted out for the deep-sea herring
fishery, has been already considerably diminished."

In their Report fi>r 1845, the Commissioners say —

•" The increasing demrmd for British herrings of late j'earsin Germany, arises
from their moderate price, their careful selection, their superior cure and qua-
lity, and above all, from the security which dealers have in the official brand,*.
J'he general stipulation between sellers and buyers is, to deliver and receive
*' Crown" and "full''" branded herrings; and i\Ir, Miller, the Inspector of
the East Coast, states in a Report made to the Board, of the information
gathered by him during a short tour of inqniry made by order of the Commis-
sioners, that he has the authority of a firm at Stettin for stating, that they sold
:about 40,000 barrels of Crovni and full branded herrings last year, which were
every where received without •objection. 'J'lie Inspector found British herrings
•at Berlin, Wittemberg, Leipsic, Frankfort, Cologne, and Brussels ; and he saw
•several parcels in transit for more distant parts ; the barrels were all Crown and
ftill branded, and the fish were in fine condition, all well meriting the official

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lirnnd, niid rnucli approved by every one. lie frequently inquired for DutrTi
herrings, nnd was uniformly shown liritish herrings ns Dutch ; nnd wlien he
stated tlmt tliey were IJritish, they nlways insisted that they were Dutch, nnd
they Fold them ns Dutch. So genornl ia the use of Uritish herrings on the
Continent, that ut KiubJen, where a few years Jigo fifty vessel;* were nniinally
fitted out for the fishery, and a bounty of about .t'.'iO paid to each, the number
of vessels was reduced to twelve, notwithstnndinpf the continuation of that
liounty. The Inspector (ieneral learned from the British Consul at Frankfort,
that the navigation of the lUiine to Mayence, «r Frankfort, has not Ixmmi
nttempted by vessels ladeu with Uritish herrings, in consequence of the ieulousy
of the Dutch, who thiow insuperable obstacles in the way. Those herrings
which have been sent thither, were transhipped at Rotterdam, when the elmrges
levied in Holland, proved to bo almost prohibitory. But ns the prospect lina
arisen o( immediate transport by a Caniil connecting the Maine with the J^anube,
the Catholic countries of Bavaria, Hungary, and Austria, may be expected
to aflbrd new markets for our herrings, when the navigation of the Rhino
may be attempted, or when the Railway from Antwerp to Cologne may be
employed."

These extracts from official reports of the highest character,
show most clearly the increased value which the Dutch mode of
curing gives to British herrings ; whik^ the careful inspection, and
the rigid measures adopted to preserve the integrity of the official
brand, indicate in the strongest manner, the necessity for a similar
inspection in New Brunswick. At present, from the entire absence
of both skill and care, one of the most prolific and most valuable
fisheries of the Gulf is rendered of the least value, and there is a
complete waste of the bounties of Providence. Herrings are taken
in the largest quantities, at a season when they are almost unfit to
be eaten, because they are then caught with the greatest ease, and
nt least expense, and thousands of barrels are found of so little
worth, that they are used to manure the land, or are left to rot
upon the beaches.

In the autumn, when the herrings are in fine condition, they
are taken during a few weeks only, because our fishermen are
quite ignorant of the proper mode of curing to render them of value,
and are not aware of the manner of using drift nets in deep water,
which is so successfully practised by the herring fishers of Loch
Fyne, and other noted stations in Scotland. By a similar manner
of fishing, our fishermen coidd continue to catch herrings until the
latest period of the fishing season, and those taken last would be
of the finest quality.

The mode of fishing by drift nets, is thus described by Mr.
Yarrell, in his admirable work on British Fishes : —

" 'I'he net is suspended by its upper edge, from the drift rope, by various
shorter nnd smaller ropes, called buoy ropes ; and considerable practical skill
is required in the arrangement, that the net may hang with the meshes square,
smooth, and even, in the "ater, and at the proper depth ; for, according to the
wind, tide, situation of their food, and other causes, the herrings swim at various
distances belovr the surface."

" The size of the boat depends on the distance from shore nt which the fishery
is carried on ; but whether in deep or iu shallow water, the nets arc only in
actual use during the night. It is found that the fish strike the nets in much
greater numbers whtr. it is dark, than while it is light; the darkest nights,
therefore, and those in which the surface of the water is ruffled by a breeze, are
considered the most favourable. It is supposed that nets stretched in the day
time alarm the fish, and cause them to quit the place where that practice ia
followed ; it is, therefore, strictly forbidden."

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Of the Guff of Saint Luwrence. 5

Many tljousantls of barrels of the inferior " spring herrings," ars
taken at tltc Mugd^len Idlands every season, at the period when
they app'jach the sliorcs of those Lslaiuls to deposit their spawn.
'I'liey are then very poor, nnd as bnt little care is taken in onring
tiienj, tliey often prove unfit for human food. Tliey are caughu in
large seines, wiiich require 15 or 20, and s(.-^ietinies 40 men to
mniiage them ; and they are capable of enclos'ng, and bringing to
the «hure, from 200 to 1000 barrels at a single haul. When taken
from tiiese seines, it is t\e common practice to put them i.i the
holds of the vessels, without washing, bleeding, or divesting them
of their offal. Tiiey are salted " in bulk," as it is termed, and so
they renjain until tlie vessel arrives at the port whence she sailed,
whetlier in the Colonies, or in the United States. They are then
taken out and packed in barrels, sweltering in all their impurity ;
but whole cargoes frequently prove worthless as food, and are used
for dresiiing grass land.

The number of barrels of herrings exported from the several
PortH in the Counties of Restigouche, Gloucester, Northumberland,
and Ki nt, during tl e lust eight years, is thus stated : —

PORTS.

llestigouclip, ...,

l^ithur.st,

<.'araquft, «.

IMinuniuhi.......

lucLibuctn

1841

1842

1843

1844

1845

184C

1847

1848

13

• •

• •

• •

41

• ■

• •

• •

• ■

• •

20

52

• •

• •

280

20

87

Ki

.50

no

437

:w(i

28

i40

3^tG

2in

J 030

3732

1102

llbO

• •

• •

• •

100

• •

40

120

93

48

179

433

33o

11. 50

3084

174{l

1753

35«

Totals.

12i»

3,-.2
1150
7898

410

99.39

A large proportion of i\w. fish exported from Miraniichi, are a
species of shad known as the gaspereau or alewife, {alosa ti/rcm-
]itts), which leave the sea, and ascend most of the rivers of the
Gulf, to spawn. Tliey are a thin, dry fish, much inferior to the
sea herrings when salted ; they find a market in the West Indies,
as from their leanness, they are less liable to spoil in a hot climate
than the fat herrings.

From the preceding table it appears clearly, that beyond fur-
nishing some portion of tiie food of the inhabitants of the northern
Counties of New Brunswick, the magnificent and Unlimited her-
ring fishery of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and Bay of Chalenr,
barely furnishes a sufficient quantity for export to prevent herrings
beijig altogetlier omitted from the returns.

Of all the fisheries of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, none could
be increased to a greater extent, or would furnish a more valuable
export, than the herring fishery, if placed under judicious regula-
tions, and conducted with greater skill and care. The manner of
taking herrings by drift-nets in deep water, requires to be generally
known and adopted. At present, these excellent and truly valua-
ble fi^h, which exist in tho Gulf in myriads, during the latter part
of the season, when they are in the finest condition, are only caught
in sufficient quantities to furnish bait for. cod, and a supply for
domestic use.

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Bcport on the Fisheries

The Dutch mode of curing also requires to be introduced, in orcFer
lluit the full flavour and fine quality of the fish may be preservecf.
If cured according to this approved mode, and properly packed ii>
barrels of hard wood, bearing an olTicial brand, (on which full
reliance could be placed,) to denote the quality of the fiah within,
tho herrings of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence would nveet a ready
market throughout the whole extent of Canada, and would find
thfir way by inland navigation, and the great lakes, to the most
western States of the Union, wliere there exist* a large aixl con-
stantly increasing demand- To other parts of the United Slates,
and to foreign ports elsewhere, they might be profitably exported,
if they could reach St. John, at all seasons, at a moderate c4iarge.

The herring fishery of the Gulf would be more benefiited than
any other, by the constrnction of Railways, and the increased
facilities for communication which they would afford. No other
description i " fish would probably Turnish so large an anjount of
railway traffic, as, if once properly established, tins fishery, which
can now be scarcely said to exist, might be prosecuted to an
almost unlimited extent.

THE COD.

The Coil Fishery co.-imences from the 1st to t^e 10th .June, antl
continues until the end of November ; it may be prosecuted in every
part of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, to a greater or less extent.

Near the shoivs of New Brunswick, tlie best fishing grounds,
or rather, those most frequented, are from Point Kscuminaj to
Miscou, and thence along the Bay of Chaleur, to the Restigouche.

The inhabitants of the County of Gloucester prosecute the shore
fishery, to a greater extent than any others on the New Bruns-
wick coast. Their principal stations are Miscou, Shippagan,
Caraquet, and Grande Ance. They go out in boats, Irom one to
fifteen miles from the land, in the morning, and when at the
longer distance, do not return until the evening of thcribllowing
dny. Tlie boats have two fore-and-aft sails, and a jib ; each boat
is managed by two men, and frequently there is with them a boy.
Each man has two lines, from 30 to 48 fathoms in length, and
tiiey are also furnished with mackerel lines, spare leads, and
hooks. The boat has oars, an anchor and rope, compass, and
sn- .11 oven for cooking ; the cost is about £18 for each boat, with
complete outfit. The fishermen generally build their own boats
during the winter ; the keel is of birch ; the timbers of cedar ;, and
the planks of pine or cedar. A boat will last from six to eight
years, and so will the sails also, with care.

The quintal, by which cod are always sold, is 1 12flS of dry fish»
It is considered a good day's fishing, at Miscou, for one of theso
boats to take ten quintals of fish, which they frequently do. Wlien
first caught, 1 12 of the small fish, and 30 cf the large size, u/e
reckoned to the quintal.

Nearly all the fishermen of Snippagan and the Bay of Chaleur^
split, salt, and cure their own fish. When they do not, 2521b of
green fish, salted and drairied, are given to a curer, to retura
1 121h of merchantable dry fish.

Of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. 7

The boats, as they return from the fishing banks, run alongside
a stage built over the water, upon which the fish are thrown out.
The first man that handles the fish cuts its throat with a single
stroke of his knife, and slides it along a sort of table to another,
who whips off the head, and drops it, with the entrails, through a
hole in the table, into the water iMiderneath, retaining only the
liver, wliich is thrown into a tierce to make oil. The next man
splits the fisli, and takes out the backbone ; on the manner in
which these operations are performed, the quality of the fish for
market, in a great degree depends. They are then washed, and
rubbed with salt, in which th^y remain for six or eight days ; then,
being again well washed, they are placed in what is called a
*' horse-pile," to drain. After draining twenty four hours, they
are spread out to dry, on long narrow wicker frames or stages, set
up on purpose, called " flakes." They require to be frequently
turned to prevent their being " sun-burnt," or " salt-burnt ;" and
they cure in about three wei 'tjs. It is not well to cure them too
last ; they are best when dritd moderately.

After the fish are sufficiently cured, they are collected and laid
in small circles, with the tails outwards ; these circles are con-
tinually built upon, each row being larger than the one below it,
until the pile is about three feet high, when the circles begin to
diminish, so as to form a conical roof; this is covered with bircli
bark, and stones are placed upon it. The piles are thus rendered
impervious to the heaviest rains ; and in this position, the fish are
left to season before being packed for exportation.

The Bay of Chaleur cod are more prized in the markets of tiie
Mediterranean, and will, at all times, sell there more readily, and
at higher prices, than any other. They are beautifully white ; and
being very dry, can better withstand the effects of a hot elimate
and long voyage, than a more moist fish. The peculiarity of their
being smaller than cod caught elsewhere, is also of great impor-
tance as regards the South American market, for which they are
packed in tubs of a peculiar shape, called " drums," and into
which they are closely pressed by means of a powerful screw.

The usual baits for cod on the New Brunswick coast, and in
the Bay of Chaleur, are — capelin, in the early part of the season
— and afterwards, herring and mackerel— when no other bait can
be had, clams are used.

The capelin (mallotus villosus) is a beautiful little fish, from
four to seven inches in length, the under jaw longer than the upper,
the colour of the back greenish, the under^surface of the body
silvery. They usually appear about Miscou, and in the Bay of
Chaleur, early in May ; but sometimes not until near the end of
that month. The cod fishery does not fairly commence until the
arrival of the capelin, which continue near the shores until the end
of July.

There has been great 'complaint of late years, in the upper part
of the Bay of Chaleur, of the falling off in the cod fishery, which
is said to be every year decreasing. At Carleton, Maria, New
Richmond, and other places on the Gaspe shore, the fishing
establishments are 'leserted, and going to ruin. At these places,

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Report on the Fisheries

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there was formerly an abundant supply of fish ; but the inhabitants
now barely catch enough for their own winter store.

This decrease is also felt on the New Brunswick shore. The
settlement of Pptit Rocher sends out about 50 boats only, which
average a catch of ."50 quintals each, during the season. The
Pockshaw coast sends out a few boats, but they only fish occa-
sionally. The Caraquet and Shippagau boats, further down the
Bay, take more than 100 quintals each during the season, which
are of better qivality than those taken off Petit Rocher. The
decline of the cod fishery in the upper part of the Bay is attribu-
ted to the wanton destruction of the proper and natural food of the
cod — herring and capelin — which are taken in immense quan-
tities ; not for immediate eating, or for curing, or for bait — but for
manuring the land !

In a representation made to the Canadian Legislature by a
fisherman of Gaspe, it is stated, that this fisherman has seen five
hundred barrels of capelin taken in one tide, expressly for manure ;
and that he has also seen one thousand barrels of herrings caught
at one time, and not taken away, but left to rot upon the beach !

It has been remarked in the Bay of Chaleur, that owing to this
waste of the smaller fish, the cod fishery recedes, a? agriculture
advances. The lazy farmer, who thinks he can inc .^ase the fer-
tility of his land by a single sweep of his seine, does so at the
expense of the fisheries, although a bountiful Providence has
furnished the shore with inexhaustible quantities of kelp, sea-
weed, and other valuable manures, which really enrich the soil,
while it is admitted that the use of fish greatly deteriorates it.

The Legislature of Canada has been strongly urged to make it
a misdemeanor, punishable by fine and imprisonment, for any
person to use either herring or capelin as manure ; and such a
measure would seem to be highly desirable in New Brunswick.
To be effective, there should be similar regulations, on both sides
of the Bay of Chaleur.

The deep-sea fishery for cod is not prosecuted to any great
extent in the Gulf by the people of New Brunswick. A few
schooners proceed from the fishing stations in the County of Glou-
cester, already mentioned, to the Bradelle Bank, about fifty miles
from Miscou. In the summer of 1839, H. M. S. Champion, in
sailing from the East Cape of Prince Edward's Island to the Bay
of Chaleur, (crossing the Bradelle Bank) passed through a fleet of
600 to 700 sail of Amey^ican fishing schooners, all engaged in cod
fishing.

The vessels of Gaspe frequently resort to Anticosti, off the
eastern end of which Island, cod are often taken in great abun-
dance and of good quality.

The excellent fishery on ihe Labrador coast is prosecuted almost
wholly by Mie Americans, and by vessels from Newfoundland,
Canada, and Nova Scotia. The vessels usually employed are
schooners of 70 or 80 tons burthen, and they arrive on the coast
about the end of May, Every part of the coast is frequented by
fishing vessels during the season, from Mount Joli, at the southern
boundary of Labrador, to the northern extremity of the Straits of

Of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. ' 9

Belleisle. On reaching the coast, the ressel enters some snug
harbour, where she is moored, and there remains quietly at anchor,
until a full fare, or the departure of the fish, requires the master
to seek another inlet, or return home.

The fishery is carried on entirely in boats, and the number
found most useful is one for every thirty tons of the vessel ; there
are two men to each boat. If fish are in plenty, and not too dis-
tant from the vessel, they t.re expected in good weather to get two
loads each day. Tiie return of the boats with fish is the signal
for the dressing crew, who remain on board, to commence their
operations. If it is intended that the vessel shall remain on the
coast until the fish are ready for market, tliey are taken on sliore
as canglit, and there dressed, salted, and dried, before being put on
board the vessel. But it is the more common practice, especially
with vessels from the United States, to salt the fish on board, and
take their cargoes home in a green state, drying them after arrival.

Tiie vessels from Nova Scotia and Canada, in general, carry
their cargoes honie in a green state.

About three hundred schooners from Newfoundland resort to
the Labrador coast every season, during which they usually make
two voyages. When tliey first return from the coast, they take
home a cargo of dry fish ; but on the second n am voyage, a con-
siderable proportion of the fish is in a " green" or pickled state, and
is dried at Newfoundland.

The Labrador coast is indented every where with excellent
harbours, which have been frequented for a very long period.
From the security of these harbours, and the general certainty of
an ample supply of fish, this coast is preferred by many fishermen
to any other fishing station witltin the Gulf.

The average produce of this fishery may be estimated at ten
quintals of dry fish to every ton of the vessels emj)loyed ; but the
masters of the American schooners are dissatisfied when they fail
tocatch 12 or 13 quintals per ton. The baits are principally tlie
capelin and fhe herring, both of which abound on that coast. The
herrings taken at Labrador, in the latter part of the season, are
considered very fine; yet they are not '•i.ught as a chief object of
pursuit, but merely as an adjunct to tne cod fishery.

The quantity of dried cod exported from New Brunswick Ports,
in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, during the last eight years, is thus
stated, in quintals : —

PORTS.

Dnlhousie, . . .

Bnthiirst

Caraquet

Mirainichi,...,
Ricliibacto,..,

» • • a

• • • •

I « • • •

Totals,.

1841

• •

1842

1843

500

1844

m •

1845

• •

1846

1847

• •

1848

• •

• •

• •

• •

50

• •

• •

• •

• •

• •

1091

7770

9G38

8G70

8841

745(1

11,673

8(i72

14,678

• •

48G

300

150

70

272

1398

298

• •

7770

• •

10,174

• •

9470

40
9031

• •

7526

25

2/0

••

11,970

10,340

16,167

Totals.

500
1141

77.398

2974

335

82.348

From this return it appears, that the export of dried cod from
the northern Ports of New Brunswick, is chiefly from Caraquot.

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Report on the Fisheries

This export is made almost wholly by the Jersey houses of Robin
and Co., and Le Boiitillier Brothers, of Paspebiac in Gaspe, and
Alexandre and Co., of Shippagan, to Brazil, Spain, Portugal,
Sicily, and the Italian States. Tlie export of cod from the Gulf
of Saint Lawrence to foreign markets, is a branch of business
which the merchants of New Brunswick have yet to learn.

Tlie quantity of dried cod exported to foreign countries from
the District of Gaspe, during the past year (1818,) is Uuis stated
from ofiicial returns : —

Gaspe Ba.sin,
New Carlisle,

4 1 ,269 quintals.
46,523 do.

Total, 27,722 quintals.

The whole quantity of dried cod exported from New Brunswick
(luring the last eight years, is exceeded by the quantity exported
from Gaspe during the year 1848 only, by 5,414 quintals.

There is reason to believe, that a considerable proportion of the
cod exported from New Carlisle, is caught on the south side of the
Bay of Chaleur, and about Miscou, the fishing grounds being bet-
ter near the New Brunswic^c shores, than on the Gaspe side of
the Bay.

The q- lutity of dried cod exported from Newfoundland in 1845
was 1,000,333 quintals, of which one-sixth was the produce of the
fisliery on the Labrador coast.*

Tlie whole line of the New Brunswick coast from Shediac to
Escuminac, around the Bay of Miramichi, and thence along the
shores from Tabusintac to Shippagan and Miscou, offers the greatest
facility for prosecuting either the in-shore, deep-sea, or Labrador
cod fishery. There are nunterous harbours, creeks, coves, lagoons,
and inlets, on this line of coast, well sheltered, with sufficient water
for boats and vessels of every size and description ; the beaches
are admirable for drying fish, and there is abundance of wood at
hand for the construction of stages and " fish flakes," The soil,
too, is generally excellent, and owing to the flatness of the coast,
tlie shore is every where easy of approach. For the establishment
of fishing stations by merchants of capital and skill, or the
organization of Fishing Colonies on an extensive scale, this coast
ofl'ers rare advantages.

The Bay of Chaleur likewise possesses many advantages for the
prosecution of the fisheries. The whole Bay may be considered
one great harbour, as throughout its entire breadth and extent,
there is not a single rock, reef, or shoal. Diu'ing the summer, it
literally swarms with fish of every description known on the shores
of British North America ; and its ancient Indian name of " I'^ck-
ctaun Nemaachi " — the Sea of Fish — well denotes its character.

The facilities for ship building are very great on J e New Bruns-
wick side of this Bay. The timber is of excellent quality, and

• The French employ 3G0 vessels, from 100 to 300 tons each, with crews nmuunting tJ
17)000 men, in the Neufoundland ftsheriea. Their annual catch of cod averages 1,200,-
OOO quintals. The Government bounty is eleven francs per quintal, which is fully the
value of the article itself. A French vessel for the Bank fishery, of 300 tons, has a crew
of at least 40 men, and from 7 to !> henvy anchors, with 800 fathoms of hemp cable, and
4 or 5 large boats, capable of standing heavy weather.

Of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

li

noted for its durability, more especially the larch, whiclj is
accounted equal to any in the world. Mr. MacGregor, M. P. for
Glasj^ow, late Secretary to the Board of Trade, in one of his ofli-
cial Reports to that Board, says —

"The larch-builf vessels o( tlie Day of Clialeur am reniiirkably JinaMo. A
vessel belonging to Robin and Co., which I saw at Paspebiac in 1824, 1 w^'ut
on board of again in 1839, in the port of i\ressina, where she was then discharar-
ing a cargo of dry codfish, to feed the Sicilian*-. 'J'his vessel, then more than
thirty years old, was perfectly sound."

The "bultow" mode of fishing for cod, introduced by tlie
French at Newfoundland, and now being adopted by the English
residents there, nn'ght very probably be followed with advantage
by the fishermen dwelling on the New Brunswick coast.

The " bultow " is described as a long line, with hooks fastened
along its whole length, at regular distances y shorter and smaller
cords called s?ioods, which are six feet long, and are placed on the
long line twelve feet apart, to prevent the hooks becoming entan-
gled. Near the hooks, these shorter lines or snoocfs, are formed of
separate threads, loosely fastened together, to guard against the
teeth of the fish- Buoys, buoy ropes, and anchors or grapnels, are
fixed to each end of the line ; and the lines are always laid, or as
it is termed " shot " across the tide ; for if the tide runs upon the
end of the line, the hooks will become entangled, and the fishing
will be wholly lost. These " set-lines " have been some time in
use on the coast of Cornwall, in England, and the mode is there
called " bulter" fishing.* A gentleman connected with the Bri-
tish Fishery Board, has suggested an improvement, in fixing a
small piece of cork within about twelve inches of the hook, which
will suspend and float the bait, when it will be more readily seen
by the fish. If a bait rests upon the ground, it is sometimes
covered with sea-weed, and often devoured by star-fish, crabs, and
echini.

In a petition from the inhabitants of Bryant's Cove, in New-
foundland, to the Legislature of tiiat Colony, in 181G, it is stated,
that the " bultow " mode of fishing had been introduced in that
vicinity in the previous year, at fir^t by a single line, or '• fleet,"
as it is termed, of one hundred hooks ; and this proved so success-
ful, that before the end of the season, seventy five fleets were used,
some of them three hundred fathoms long. Tlie petitioners repre-
sent, that the set-line, or " bultow," is the best mode of fishing
ever introduced in those waters, as being less expensive in outfit,
and keeping boats in repair. They state, that a set-line will last
three years, and with care, even longer ; that the total expense of
fitting one out, with a gross of hooks, is only fifteen shillings; and
that it is not moved during the season, nor taken up, except for
overhauling and baiting, until the fish move out in tlie deep water
in the autumn. The petitioners add, *!mt the fish taken by the
" bultow " are larger tha" +hose taken by the hand line, as also
superior in quality ; and that it was a common thing, during the

• Mr. Wallop Brabazon, in his worlt on the Deep-Sea Fislieiiesof Ii'elaud, says this mode
of fishing is muuh practised on the Weit Coast of Iielaiid, where it is called " sinlliard, "
or" spillet" fishing.

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Report on the Fisheries

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preceding sonson, for one and a half quintals offish to be taken oJDf
a gross of hooks, in ovorhanling the line of a morning. It appears
that the lines are ovirhanled, and fresh baits placed on the hooks
every morning and evening ; and it is set forth as an advantage of
the "bnltow,' that if the fisherman leaves it properly baited in
tl»e morning, it is fishing for hin. while he is at work in his garden;
whereas, by the other mode, if he was not on the ground, he could
not exnect fish. The petition then proceeds thus : —

" Your petitioners tlierefore pray your honourable House to cause the fol-
lowinff rules, or soinethinp; like them, to pass intr. ' ivv, as like all new inventions,
the set-line, or " bultow," has to struggle against many hinrlerances, from igno-
rance, and bigotry to the old method, yet, as your petitioners have endeavoured
to show, the "bultow" has proved itself, what may be fully termed, "Thk
rooR Man's Fiuknd."

The rules which the petitioners pray may become law, are simply
that the fishing grounds may be divided into two parts, one for the
" bultow," and one for hand-line fishermen ; that t'-.c " bultows"
shall always be set parallel with each other, that they may not get
foul, and may take up as little room as possible ; and lastly, that a
person conversant witli this mode of fishing, may be appointed to
enforce these rules, and to instru'^t those who are not acquainted
with the method, in the proper manner of fitting out and setting
the " bultow." The petitioners conclude by stating their belief, that
if their suggestions are carried out, the boats now used in the shore
fishery will, in three years, give place to the "bultow" throughout
Newfoundland, as they have already done in Bryant's Cove.

For the deep-sea fishery, the " bultow" is of great length. The
Freneli fishing vessels chiefly anchor on the Grand Bank of New-
foundland, in about 45 fathoms water, veer out one hundred fathoms
of cable, and prepare to catch cod, with two lines, each 3000 fathoms
in length. The snoods are arranged as preriously described, and
the hooks being baited, the lines are neatly coiled in half bushel
baskets, clear for running out. The baskets are placed in two
strong built lug-sail boats, and at three o'clock in the afternoon,
both make sail together, at right angles from the vessel, on opposite
sides ; when the lines are run out straight, they are sunk to within
five feet of the bottom. At day break next morning, the boats
proceed to trip the sinkers at flie extremities of the lines, and
while the crew of each boat are hauling in line and nnhookingfish,
the men on board heave in the other end of the lines, with a winch.
In this way, four hundred of the large Bank cod arc commonly
tak-^n of a night. The fish are cleaned and salted on board, and
stowed in the hold in bulk ; the livers are boiled to oil, which is
put in large casks secured on deck. The French vessels engaged
in this fishery, are from loO to 300 tons burthen ; they arrive on
the Grand Bank early in June, and on the average, complete their
cargoes in three months. In fine weather, the largest class of
vessels frequently run out three or four "bultows" in different
directions froi7i the ship, and thus fish 10,000 fatlunns of line, or
more, at one titne, with a proportionate number of hooks.

Should this mode' of fishing be approved, measures mighty be
devised for promoting its adoption near the shores of New-
Brunswick.

I

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Of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

13

If circiimstancos should arise to induce the prosecution of the
cod fishery of the G».lf of Suint Lawrence, on o more extensive
scale, some regulations will be necessary for an efiicient inspection
of dried fish, intended for exportation to foreign markets, in order
to give a character to the commodity, and prevent carelessness in
curing. On this point, the Commissioners of the British Fisheries,
in their Report for 1844, say —

" it is very gratifying to observe, that there is a gradual increase in the annual
export of dried cod to Spain, where a most extensive niarkL't i'or the consumption
»if this description offish, may be fairly looked for, in llie course of sonic years.
This can only be obtained by unremitting care on the pait of the Board's
officers, in their inspection and punching of the fi*h, the Spaniards being very
particular in regard to the excellence of the article they purchase. The Commis-
sioners liave judged it right to order an improvement in the form of the ofticial
punch used for stamping the dried cod and ling, and instead of that lately used,
which cut a square figure out of the tail of the fish, for which some private mark?;
used by curers were liable to be mistaken, they have adopted a drown, which
is less liable to be imitated."'

Besides cod, there are several species of fish of the same genus,
caught in the Gulf, in the prosecution of the cod fishery. These
are — the haddock, the hake, and the torsk, or tusk. These fish
are cured in the same manner as cod, to which, however, tliey are
inferior. They are known commercially as " scale fish ;" a!;d
on the average, they sell at about half the price of cod.

The cod fishers !n the Gulf often take the large flat-fish, known

as the halibut, which sometimes attains the

weight of

5C)01L.

The flesh, though white and firm, is dry, and the muscular fibre
coarse. These fish are cut in slices, and pickled in barrels, iii
vihich state they sell at half the price of the best herrings.

THE MACKEREL.

1 he common mackerel abounds in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence,
and is one of the chief objects of pursuit with the numerous fleet*
of American fishing vessels, which are to be found yearly in every
part of the Gnlf. The Americans begin fisliing for mackerel, in
the Gulf, on the first of July, and finish at the end of SepteniLer ;
but the resident fishermen might begin this fishing earlier, and
continue it until the very close of the season.

Mr. MacGregor describes the mackerel of the Gulf as being of
much finer flavour than those caught on the shores of EiUMpe.

It has been generally supposed that the mackerel was a fish of
passage, performing certain periodical migrations — making long
voyages from south to north at one season of the year, and tlio
reverse at another ; but the error of this opinion is now generally
admitted. It is known with certainty, that mackerel remain near
the coast of England at all times, as they have been taken there
in every month of the year. Mr. Yarrell, whose work on British
Fishes is of the highest authority, is of opinion that the mackerel is
not a migratory fish ; he says —

" The law of nature which obliges mackerel and others to visit the shallow
waters of the shores at a particular season, appears to be one of those wise and
bountiful provisions of the Creator, by which not only is the species perpetuated
with the greatest certainty, but a large portion of the parent animals are thus
brought within the reach of man; who, but for the action of this law, would be

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14

Report OH the Fisheries

tlejirived of many of tliosi.' species most viiluabie to him as food. For, tlio
ma.'.kcrel, (1i>>i)er«ed over the immense surfare of the deep, no effective fislicry
coiild he carried on ; hut npjiroachiiipf the shore ns they do, from all directions,
nnd r'wiug nloiig the coant in immense shoals, millions are caught, which yet
form hut a very small portion compared with tiie myriads that escape."

Although mackerel are found in vast shoals along the whole
eastern coast of New nrnnsvvlck, and within the Bay of Chaleur,
yet the quantity taken by resident fishermen is so very limited, as
not to furnish a sufficient supply for home consumption, and few
indf^ed for export.

The Ports of the Province within the Gulf, exported the nnder-
miMitioned quantities of mackerel, in barrels, during the last eight
years : —

PORTS.

1841

1842

1843

1844

1845

1840

1847

1848

Total.

T">allioiisie,

k •

• •

• •

• •

Hiiiliiirst ,...

33

• •

4

37

('ariir|iiet,

256-

91t

25

380

MiiMinichi,

14.^5

47

• •

i;»j

Pichihucto

• •

• •

• •

• •

• •

29

• •

Totals,

• •

1

• •

434

146

(509

This is a most "beggarly account" of a fishery, which ought
to be, in this Province, one of the most extensive and moist lucra-
tive. Tiie export of J9 barrels only in the year 1848 is perfectly
surprising, when it is considered that the season was one, in which
the mackerel fishery was more than usually successful. In August
last, the waters of the Straits of Northumberland, from Shediac
to Prince E^dward Island, were perfectly alive with mackerel. Off
Point Escunjinac, tiie American fishermen caught them with such
rapidity, and in such, quantities, that they were unable to clean
nnd salt the fish as fast as they were caught ; and it was reported
on tlie coast, that they had sent on shore, and engaged some of the
settlers at lii^h wages, to go off to the vessels, and assist in these
necessary operations.

.\1(msieur Leon Robicheaux, an intelligent native fisherman,
resident on Shippagan Island, from whom the writer obtained
vahiiible information as to the fisheries, stated, that although
mackerel were always plentiful during the season near Shippagan
and .MiscoH, yet the resident fishermen were too idle to take them,
rie added, that they only caught a few as bait for cod, or as mat-
ter of sport, when sailing to or from their stations for cod fishing.

The American vessels which prosecute mackerel fishing near
the shores of New Brunswick, are fitted out in Maine and Mas-
sach'isetts ; they have two long voyages to make in going to, and
returning from, their fishing ground, yet they find it prof' .able
without any bounty. If it be profitable to them, how much more
so could it be made by resident fishermen, who are spared the
ex|)('nse of costly vessels and outfits, high wages, and long voyages.

The mode of fishing pursued by the American mackerel fishers
wiio frequent the Gulf, is that with the line, called "trailing."
Wiien a *' schull " is met with, the vessel, generally of 60 or 80
tons burthen, is put under easy sail, a smart breeze (thence called

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Of the Gulf of Stnnt Lawreiicc.

15

a mackerel breeze) being considered most favonrable. It is stated
by Mr. Sabine, of Enstport- who is good autliority, that he has
known a crew of ten men, when fishing in the Bay of Chaleur,
catch in one day, ninety packed or " dressed " barrels of mackcri 1,
which could not contain less than 12,000 fish.

If no fish are in sight, the American mackerel fisher on reach-
ing some old resort, furls all the sails of his vessel, except the main
sail, brings his " craft " to the wind, and commences throwing over
bait, to attract the fish to the surface of the water. The bait is
usually small mackerel, or salted herrings, cut in pieces by a
machine, called a " bait-mill." This consists of an oblong wooden
box, standing on one end, containing a roller armed with knives,
which is turned by a crank on the outside ; it cuts up bait very
expeditiously. If the fisherman succeeds, the mackerel then seem
willing to show how fast they can be caught ; and the fishing goos
on till the approach of night, or the sudden disappearance of the
remnant of the " schull " puts an end to it. The fish are thca
dressed, and thrown into casks of water to rid them of blood. To
ensure sound and sweet mackerel, it is indispensable that the blood
and impurities should be thoroughly removed before salting ; that
the salt should be of the best quality, free from lime, or other inju-
rious substances ; and that the barrels should, in all cases, be tight
enough to retain the pickle.

In tliose harbours of Nova Scotia which are within the Strait
of Canso, mackerel, of late years, have been taken in seines, capaMe
of enclosing and securing 800 barrels ; and in these seines, 400
and even 600 barrels have been taken at a single sweep. Tiie
" drift-net" is also used ; but as it is believed that this mode of
fishing is not so well understood on the coast of Nova Scotia, as on
that of England, the manner of fishing near the latter, with the
"drift-net," as described by Mr. Yarrel, is given in preference: —

" The most common mode of fishing for mackerel, and the way in which the
greatest numbers are taken, is by drift-nets. The drift-net is 20 feet deep, by
120 feet long; well corked at the top, hut without lead at the bottom, iliey
are made of small fine twine, which is tanned of a reddish-brown colour, to pre-
serve it from the action of the salt water, and it is thereby rendered much more
durable. The size of the mesh is about 2i inches, or rather larger. Twelve,
fifteen, and sometimes eighteen of tliese nets are attached lengthways, by tying
along a thick rope, called the drift-rope, and the ends of each net, to each other.
When arranged for depositing in the sea, a large buoy attached to the end of
the drift-rope is thrown overboard, the vessel is put before the wind, and as she
sails along, the rope with the nets thus attached, is passed over the stern into
the water, till the whole of the nets are thus thrown out. The nets tlius
deposited, hang suspended in the water perpendicularly, 20 feet deep from the
drilt-rope, and extending from three quarters of a mile to a mile, or even a mile
and a half, depending on the number of nets belonging to the party, or company
engaged in fishing together. When the whole of the nets are thus handed out,
the drift- rope is shifted from the stern to the bow of the vessel, and she rides l)y
it as at anchor. The benefit gained by the boat's hanging at the end of tiie
drift-rope is, that the net is kept strained in a straight line, which, without this
pull upon it, would not be the case. The nets are " shot" in the evening, and
sometimes hauled once during the night, at others allowed to remain in the water
all night. The fish roving in the dark through the water, hang in the meshes
of the net, which are large enough to admit them beyond the gill- covers and
pectoral fins, but not large enough to allow the thickest part of the body to pass
through. In the morning early, preparations are made ior hauling the nets. A

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Beport on the Fisheries

CHiistiin ()U tlui deck is innuiied, about which two turns of the drift-rope ore
taken ; one inau stands forward to untie the upper edge of each net from the
drift-rope, which is called casting oflf the lashings ; others haul the net in with
the fish caught, to which one side of the vessel is devoted ; the other side is
occupied witli the drilt-rope, which is wound in by the men at the capstan."

Tlio ioUovvinpt is a statement of the miinber of barrels of mac-
kerel inspected in Massachusetts in each year, from 1831 to 1848,
inclusive : —

1831, ...

... 383,550

1810, ...

... 50,002

1832, ...

... 212,152

1811, ...

... 55,537

1833, ...

... 212,010

1842, ...

... 75,513

1834, ...

... 252,881

1843, ...

... 01,451

1835, ...

... 101,150

• 1811, ...

... 80,180

1830, ...

... 170,031

1815, ...

... 202,303

1837, ...

... 138,157

1810, ...

... 174,004

1838, ...

... 108,538

1817, ...

... 232,581

1839, ...

... 73,018

1818, ...

... 300,130

It does not appear what proportions of these large quantities of
mackerel were caught iii Britiah waters ; but it must have beeu a
very considerable share, if an opinion may be formed from the
numerous fishing vessels of Massachusetts seen on the coasts of
Xova Scotia, and within the Gulf of Suint Lawrence.

From all that has been stated, it must be considered settled, that
the mackerel fishery, as a branch of business, cannot be said to
exist in New Brunswick, althougli the easteru sliores of the Pro-
\inc.% and the whole Bay of Chaleur, offer the greatest facilities,
and the luost abundant supply offish.

It is highly desirable that something should be done to encourage
and promote this fishery, which evidently offers such ample reward
to the ejiergy, enter])rise, and industry of the people.

THE SALMON,

Of those Rivers of New Brunswick which flow into the Gulf of
Saint Lawrence, the two largest, the Miramichi and the Resti-
gouche, furnish the greatest supply of tjiis well known and delicious
fish ; but all the smaller rivers also furnish salmon, in greater or
less numbers. There are also various bays, beaches, islands, and
points of land along the coast, where salmon are intercepted by
nets, while seeking the rivers in which they were spawned, to
which salmon always return.

The salmon of the Gulf are noted for their fine flavour ; they
are precisely siniilar to the salmo salar of Europe.

The quantities of salmon in the Rivers Restigouche and Mira-
miclii, at the first settlement of the country, were perfectly prodi-
gious ; although many are yet taken annually, the supply diminishes
from year to year. And this is not surprising when it is considered,
that many of the streams formerly frequented by salmon, are now
completely shut against them, by mill dams without " fishways,"
or those openings which the British Fishery Reports designate as
" migration passes ;" that in the branches of the large rivers, as
also in the smaller rivers, nets are too often placed completely
across the stream, from bank to bank, which take every fish that

? I

Of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence'

17

attempts to pass ; that " close tifne " in many of the rivers is
scarcely, if at all, regarded ; and that, besides the improper use of
nets at all seasons, fish of all sizes are destroyed by hundreds, in
the very act of spawning, by torch light and spears, at a time when
they are quite unfit for human food.

The quantities of pickled salmon in barrels, exported from the
northern ports of New Brunswick, during the last eight years, are
as follows : —

Ports.

1841

Dalhousie, .
nathurst, ..
Caraquet,..!
Mirauiichi,.
Kichibucto,

138

■32

11

1G14

20

1842

273

161

20

2295

Totals, 1815 2749 2015 2476 26121206 2425 2111

1843

552

250

13

1093

107

1844

591

126

5

1616

137

565
134

18.36

77

1846

766
216

1*46

78

1847

643
190

1531
61

1848

381

156

5

1571

Totals.

3909

1265

52

11,702

480

17,408

Since the establishment of regular Steamers from the Port of
Saint John to Boston, large quantities of fresh salmon, packed in
ice, have been exported, and the commodity has greatly increased
in value. If facilities of communication were created by railway,
the fresh salmon of the Gulf could also be sent abroad in ice, and
their value when first caught, would be three or four times as great
as at present.

The exceeding value of the salmon fisheries of Ireland and Scot-
land, cause great attention to be paid by the British and Irish Fishery
Boards, to the enforcement of most stringent regulations for their
preservation and increase. With reference to the preservation of
salmon, the Inspectors of the Irish Fisheries reported to the Board,
in 1846, as follows : —

"In iUuetration of the benefits of a steaoy perseverance in a proper system,
we may allude to the Foyle, where the produce has been raised from an average
of 43 tons previous to 1823, to a steady produce of nearly 200 tons, including
the stake-wcirs, in the estuary, and very nearly to 300 tons, as we believe, in
the year 1842."

The Inspectors also mention the case of the small river of
Newport, County Mayo, which was formerly exempt from " close
season." In three years, after the Parliamentary regulations were
introduced and enforced, the produce of this river was raised from
half a ton, or at the utmost, a ton every season, to eight tons of
salmon, and three tons of white trout, for the season ending the
third year.

The preservation and maintenance of the salmon fisheries of
New Brunswick generally, is a subject well worthy of earnest
attention. To prevent the destruction of the fish during the
spawning season, and by improper modes of fishing, as also to pro-
vide for the passage of the nsh up those streams which they have
formerly frequented, but from which they are now excluded by
mill dams, some further enactments are absolutely necessary, and
more efficient means are required for enforcing the provisions of
the law. The most valuable river fishery of the Province is in a

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Report on the Fisheties

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fair way of being rendered valueless, or wholly destroyed ; and as
the rivers are the natural nurseries of the salmon, the fishery on
the coast will, of course, be destroyed also.

Large quantities of salmon are caught every season on the
Labrador coast, in stake-nets placed at the mouths of rivers, whicli
empty into bays and harbours ; these are split and salted in large
tubs, and afterwards repacked in tierces of two hundred pounds
each. A number of vessels, from Newfoundland and Canada, are
engaged annually in this fishery ; but the American fishing vest::ols
pursue it with great vigour and assiduity, and it is reported that
of late years they have found it very profitable.

The quantity of pickled salmon exported from Newfoundland
in 1847, was 4,917 tierces, one half of which was the produce of
the salmon fishery on the coast of Labrador.

THE WHALE.

The extent to which the Whale Fishery is carried on, within the
Gulf of Saint Lawrence, by vessels from Newfoundland, is very
little known, nor is its value appreciated. The Jersey houses who
have fishing establishments in Gaspe, also fit out vessels for this
fishery, which cruise about Anticosti, and the northern shore of
the Saint Lawrence. Mr. MacGregor, in an ofTicial Report to the
Board of Trade, thus describes this fishery : —

" The whales caught within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, are those calleil
" hump-backs," which yield on an average abont three tons of oil ; some have
been taken seventy feet long, which produced eight ton!i. The mode of taking
them is somewhat different from that followed by the Greenland ftshers ; and
the Gaye fishermen first acquired an acquaintance with it from the people of
Nantucket. An active man, accustomed to boats and schooners, may becomo
fully acquainted with every thing connected with this fishery in otie season.
The vessels adapted for this purpose, are schooners from seventy to eighty tona
burthen, manned with a crew of eight men, including the master. Each schooner
requires two boats, about twenty feet long, built narrow and sharp, and
with pink sterns ; and 220 fathoms of line are necessary to each boat, with spare
harpoons and lances. The men row towards the whale, and when they are very
near, use paddles, which make less noise than oars. Whales are somctimea'
taken in fifteen minutes after they are struck with the harpoon. The Gaspe
fishermen never go out in quest of them, nntil some of the smaller ones, which
enter the bay about the beginning of June, ai>pear ; these swim too fast to be
easily harpooned, and are not, besides, worth the trouble. The large whales
are taken off the entrance of Gaspe Bay, on each side of the Island of Anticosti,
and up the River Saint Lawrence aa far as Bic."

Mr. Bouchette, in his work on Lower Canada, represents the
whale fishery of the Gulf as neriting the attention of the Legis-
lature, and needing encouragement; by which, be says, the
number of vessels employed would be considerably increased, and
this important branch of business would be so e^ectually carried
on by t^e hardy inhabitants of Gaspe, as to compete, in some
degree, if not rival, that of the Americans, who were, at the time
Mr. Bouchette wrote, almost in exclusive enjoyment of it, and
carried on their enterprising fisheries in the very mouths of the
bays and harbours of Lower Canada.

Sir Richard Bonnycastle, in his work, entitled " Newfoundland
in 1842," says, " the Coast and Gulf Whale Fishery is now being
of much yalu9 to Newfoundland." Sir Richni'd states, that the

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vessels employee^ are large schooners, with crews of ten men each ;
that the fishery is pursued during the whole of the summer months
iilong the Coast of Labrador, and in, and through, the Straits of
Belleiele ; ami that v\ hah;s of all sizes are taken, from the smallest
•* finner," up to the largest tni/sticefns, or great common oil whale
of the Northern Ocean, which occasionally visits these regions.

It is believed that hitherto, no attempt has been made by the
people of New Brunswick, to enter into this whale fishery ; and it
would be a very proper rubject for inquiry, whether it might not
be profitably conducted by New Brunswick vessels, and the active
and enterprising fishermen of the Bay of Chaleur, who are equally
well placed for carrying it on, as their hardy comrades on the
Gaspe side of the Bay.

THE SEAL.

As the capture of the seal is always designated the " Seal
Fishery," and as it is blended with the other pursuits of the fisher-
man, it may be proper to mention it here.

Five kinds of seal are said to be found in the Northern Ocean ;
they bring forth their young on the ice early in the spring, and
then float down upon it from the polar seas to Labrador, the
coast of Newfoundland, and the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The two
largest kinds are known as the harp seal, (phoca groenlandica,)
and the hooded seal, (phoca konina.) The other three varieties are
known as the " square flipper," the '* blue seal," and the "jar seal."

Large herds of these seals are found together upon the fields of
floating ice, which, when so occupied, are called " Seal Meadows."
The seal hunters endeavour to surprise them while sleeping on the
ice, and when this occurs, they dispatch the young with bludgeons ;
the old ones, which will frequently turn and make resistance, they
are obligetl to shoot.

Sealing is carried on very errtensively from Ne\,fonndland, in
schooners of about eighty tons burthen, with crews of thirty men.
It is attended with fearful dangers ; yet the hardy seal hunter of
Newfoundland eagerly courts the perilous adventure.

The following return of the number of seal skins exported from
Newfoundland from 1838 to 1848 inclusive, will furnish some idea
of the value of the seal fishery to that Colony : —

1838 375,361

1844 695,530

1839 4.37,501

1845 352,202

1840 631,385

1846

1841 417,115

1847 436,831

1842 ... ... 344,683

1848 521,004

1

1843 651,370

•«• ■••

The outfit for the **' Seal Fishery " from the various harbours of
Newfoundland in the year 1817, was as follows : —

321 Vessels: 29,800 Tons: 9,751 Men.

Sealing among the ice, is also prosecuted, in early spring, at the
Magdalen Islands ; and also on the Labrador Coast, by the people
who remain there during the winter ia charge of the nshing-

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Report n the Fisheries

stations, and the conduct of tlie fur trade. Seals are also canglift
at Labrador on the plan first adopted, by strong nets set across
su'jh narrow channels as they are in the Imbit of passing through.

Within a few years, the " Seal F ishery '* has been commenced
at Cape Breton, encouraged a small Provincial bounty ; it has
been conducted in vessels not over 40 tons burthen, with crews of
eight men. In 1843, twenty two vessels went to the ice from
Cheticamp and Margaree, and returned v/ith near 10,000 seals,
which are stated to have amply requited those engaged in the
adventure, as their outfit was on a very limited scale. In 1842,
an enterprising merchant of Sydney fitted out a sealmg vessel, oa
the Newfoundland scale, which in the short space of three weeks
cleared the round sum of £14,000 ; and this extraordinary success
encouraged others to enter into the business.

As yet, sealing is altogether unknown to the inhabitants of New
Brunswick ; although icj^s believed that the adventure might be
made successfully by vessels departing from the northeastern
extremity of the Province.

The harbour seal {phoca viluh'na} is frequently seen along the
coasts of New Brunswick during the summer season, and is believed
not to be migratory. They are closely watched by the Mlcmac
Indians, who often succeed in shooting them. The fur of these
seals is sometimes very handsome ; and the animal is always a ricTi
prize to the poor Micraac.

SHELL FISH.
Und3r this head may be enumerated lobsters, oysters, clanwT
mussels, whelki, razor-fish, crabs, and shrimps, all of which are-
found in the Gulf, in the greatest abundance, and of excellent
quality. Mr. MacGregor states, that they are all equally delicious
with those taken on English, Irish, Scotch, or Norwegian shores.

Lobsters are found everywhere on the coast, and in the Bay of
Chaleur, in such extraordinary numbers, that they are used, by
thousands to manure the land. At Shippagan and Caraquet,
carts are sometimes driven down to the beaches at low water, and
readily filled with lobsters left in the shallow pools by the recession
01 tb*? tide. Evpry potato field near the places mentioned, is strewn
with lobster shells, each potato hill being furnished with two, and
perhaps three, lobsters.

Within a few years, one establishment has been set up on Portage
Island, at the mouth of the Miram'ohi River, and another at the
mouth of the Kouchibouguac River, for putting up lobsters, in tin
cases, hermetically sealed, for expcitation. In 1845, no less than
13,000 catjey of lobsters and salmon were thus put up at Portage
Island. In 1847, nearly 10,000 cases, of lobsters only, each case
containing the choioest parts of two or three lobsters, and one and
a half tons of ficsh salmon, in 21b. and 41b. cases, were put np at
Kouchibouguac. The preservation of lobsters, in this manner, need
only be restricted by the dema.id, for the eiip ^y is almost unlimited.

The price paid for lobsters at the establishment on Portage Island,
when the writer visited it, was 2s. 6d. currency (2s. steeling) per
hundred. They were all taken in small hoop-nets, chiefly by tha

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Of the Gulf of ' Saint Lawi'ence.

21

Acadian French of tlie Neguac Villages, who, at the price stated,
conld, with reasonable diligence, earn £1 each in the 24 hours; but
as they are somewhat idle, and easily contented, they would rarely
exert themselves to earn more than lOs. per day, which they could
generally obtain by eight or ten hours attention to their hoop-nets.

Oysters are found all along the New Brunswick coast, from
Baie Verte to Caraquet, but not within the Bay of Chaleur.
T'losc best known in this Province for their fine quality, are the
oysters of Shediac; but the extensive beds which formerly existed
there, have been almost wholly destroyed by improper modes of
fishing, an utter disregard of the spawning season, and the wanton
destruction of the fish by throwing down shells upon the beds. It
is a singular fact, that ice will not form over an oyster-bed, unless
the cold is very intense indeed ; £.nd when the bays are frozen over
in the winter, the oyster-beds are easily discovered by the water
above them remaining unfrozen, or as the French residents say,
dcgbl6. The oysters are then lifted upon the strong ice with
rakes; tlie process of freezing expands the fish, and forces open
the shells ; the oyster is removed, and the shells are allowed to fall
back into the water, where they ten(! to destroy tlie fishery.

Some oysters of very large size and good quality are found at
Tabusintac, but those of the finest description are found on exten-
sive beds in Shippagan Harbour, Saint Simon's Inlet, and Cara-
quet Bay, from which localities they arc exported every season
to Quebec. The number of buahels exported from the port of
Caraquet, during the lest eight years, is as follows: —

1841, ... ... 5,000 1845

1842, ... ... T.OOO • 1846,

1843 5,200 1817,

1844, 6,000 1848,

Oysters are abundant atCocagne, Buctouche, Richibucto, Burnt
Church, and other places on the coast ; but in general, they are
too far within the mouths of the fresh ivater streams, and their
quality i= greatly inferior to those affected by sea water only.

From the manner in which the oyster fishery of the Gulf Shore
is now being conducted, all the oysters of good quality will, in a
few J ?ar3, be quite destroyed. The preservation of this fishery i^^
of considerable importance, and it miglit be effected as well by
judicious regulations and restrictions, as by encouraging the forma-
tion of artificial beds, or " layings," in favourable situations.
Several persons on the coast intimated to the writer, their desire
to form new and extensive beds in the sea water, by reraovVng
oysters from the mixed water of the estuaries, where they are now
almost wortliless, if they couM obtain an exclusive right to such
beds when formed, and the necessary enactments to prevent tlieir
being plundered*

There are two varieties of the clam, distinguished as the " hard-
shell," and the " soft-shell." They are eaten largely in spring,
when they are in the best condition ; and great quantities are used
as bait fc: cod. Clams are much prized by persons residing at a
•Sistance from tlie sea coast, and they are frequently sent into the

2,019

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5,432

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Report on -the Fisheries

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interior, where they meet a ready sale, as they can be sold at a
very low price.

The razor-fish derives its name from the shells being shaped
very like the handle of a razor : this fish is well flavoured in the
proper season, and not unlike the clam, though somewhat tougher.

Crabs, of all sizes, are to be had in abundance, but they are not
often caught ; neither art the sluimps, which are to be seen in
endless quantities. At times, the waters of the Straits of Nor-
thumberland appear as if thickened with masses of shrimps moving
about, their course being plainly indicated by the fish of all descrip-
tions, which follow in their wake, and feed upon them greedily.

RIVER FISHERIES.

The principal fisheries in those Rivers of New Brunswick which
flow into the Gulf, in addition to tlie sa.lmon fishery already men-
tioned, are those for gaspereaux, shad, basse, and trout. There
are also smelts, eels, flounders, and a great variety of small fish.

The gaspereaux has been noticed under the liead of herring.
This fish is found in almost every river, and the gaspereaux fishery
has been considered of so much importance, that various Act** of
Assembly have, from time to time, been passed for its r. ul. ,^
and protection. But these laws have either been neglecte Oi .ju
properly enforced, and this fishery is rapidly declining. Very
slight obstructions suffice to prevent the gaspereaux from ascending
streams to their old haunts ; the dams for mills, or for driving
timber, have shut them out in numerous instances from their best
spawning grounds, and the greatest injury has in this way been
inflicted on the fishery.

The shad (.f the Gulf are not taken in such numbers, nor are
they of so fine quality, as those caught in the Bay of Fundy ; com-
paratively, they are dry and flavourless, owing as is said, to the
sandy character of the shores of the Gulf, which are supposed to
furnisli less of the peculiar food of the shad, than the muddy rivers-
of the Bay of Fundy, where they are taken in such high perfection.
This fishery has also been mentioned in several Acta of Assembly ;
but the habits, and most usual resorts, of the shad of the Gulf of
Saint Lawrence, have not been carefully observed. It is not im-
probable, therefore, that a better knowledge of the habits of the fish
might lead to this fishery becoming more valuable.

The basse, or marine perch, (perea labrax,) swim in shoals
along the coast, and frequently ascend the rivers to a consirlerable
distance from the sea, to deposit their spawn. They are taken of
all sizes up to 20ib weight, or even more ; but those of 3% to 51br
are considered the best flavoured. They are sometimes salted, but
generally they are eaten while fresh. This fishery has also been
attempted to be regulated and preserved by law, but evidently with
very little success^ as it is fast decreasing. Sad havoc is niadi^
among the basse in the winter season, when they lie in numerous
shoals h..if torpid, in shallow water. A large hole is cot in the ic&

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Of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

23

ubove them, and tbey are lifted out witli dip-nets ; in this manner
the basse fishery, in some of the smaller rivers, has been wholly
destroyed.

There are two species of trout found in the greatest abundance
in every river, stream, and brook, which finds its way from the
interior of New Brunswick to the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Of
these, the salmon trout (salmo trutta) is of the largest size, and
most valuable. The common trout (aalmo fontinalis) is taken in
€very po&sible vanety, every where.

The sea trout (salmo trutta marina.) seldom ascend the rivers
far above the tideway ; when they first enter the estuaries early in
the season, they are in the finest condition, and eearcely, if at all,
inferior to salmon. They are frequently taken of the weight of
7ft, thougli the most usual weight is from 2ft to 5ft. They are
very abundant in June, in the bays and harbours of Prince Edward
Island. At the Magdalen IslanJs they are taken in nets, and
being pickled in small casks, are exported to the West Indies ; if
carefully cleaned, cured, and packed, tliey tliere bring a higher
price than salmon.

In the tideway of tlie rivers flowing into the Gulf, these fine
iish might be taken in sufficient quantities to form an article of
traffi'?. They aflford great sport to the fly -fisher, especially when
they first enter the niixed water of the tideway in the smaller
livers.

The common trout (salmo fc.iC'r.alis) are also eagerly sought
after by the disciples of Izaak Walton ; and although destroyed in
the most wanton and reckless manner by unthinking persons, they
are still abundant. The destruction of tliese beautiful fish takes
place by wholesale, Mpon many rivers in the northern part of the
Province, and one of the modes practised is called "rolling for
trout." When tl»e streams are at their lowest stage in the sum-
mer season, a dam e^f logs, stones, and brush, is roughly built at
the lower end of some pool, in which the fish have congregated.
This "rolling dam" being constructed, the stream for some dis-
tance above the pool, is beaten with poles, and the fish are driven
down to the deepest water, out of which they are swept with a net.
The writer was informed, that in tliis way 3,600 trout had been
taken out of one pool, at a single sweep of the net. In August,
1848, 1, 300 large trout were thus taken out of one pool on the
Scadouc River, white the writer was at ShediRc. This practice
is greatly to be deprecated, as by destroying fish of all sizes, it
completely breaks up the trout fishery on those rivers where ib
takes place.

The firaeit {osmerus epirtanus of Cuvler, and osmerus viri-
deecens of Agassiz,) is found in excessive abundance in all th-^
rivers and streams flowing into the Gulf. In the latter pari of
winter, when in the best condition, they are taken through holes
in the ice, and at that season are a very great delicacy ; they are
then frequently called " frost fish," Immediately after the ice
disappears, they rush in almost solid columns up the brooks and
xiviiiets to spawn, aiul are then taken by cart loads. This fisherjt

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Report on the Fisheries

under proper management, might be made one of considerable
profit, as the smelt is really delicious, and always highly esteemed.
It is believed that there are two distinct species ?f this fish, and
that the smaller of the two is more highly scented, as well as more
highly flavoured, than the other.

Eels of large size and of fine quality, are taken every where
within the Gulf, besides those consumed fresh, they are pickled in
considerable quantities, as well for home consumption, as for ex-
portation. Mr. Yarrell, in describing the eel, says : — "They are
in reality a valuable description offish; they are very numerous,
very prolific, and are found in almost every part of the world.
They are in great esteem for the table, an(i the consumption in
our large cities is very considerable."

In the calm and dark nights during August and September, the
largest eels are taken in great numbers by the Micmacs and
Acadian French, in the estuaries and lagoons, by torch light. w'!;h
the Indian spear. This mode of taking eels requires great quick-
ness and dexterity, and a sharp eye. It is pursued with much
spirit, as besides the value of the eel, the mode of fishing is very
exciting. In winter, eels bury themselves in the muddy parts of
rivers; /' t^eir haunts, which are generally well known, are
called " ee. :nds." The mud is thoroughly probed with a five-
pronged iron ^ .ar, affixed to a long handle, and used through a
hole in the ice. When the eels are all taken out of that part
within reach of the spear, a fresh hole is cut, and the fishing goes
on again, upon new ground.

If a market should be found fjr this description oi fish, they
could be furnished to an unlimited extent.

The common flounder is found in such abundance in the Gulf,
that it is used largely for manuring land. Tlie writer has seen
potatoes being planted in hills, when the only dressing consisted
of fresh flounders, which were used with a lavish hand. They are
seldom taken by the inhabitants of the Gulf Shore, who can readily
obtain so many other descriptions of fish of superior quality. The
flounder is long-lived otit of the water, and bears land carriage
better than most fish ; there is no reason, therefore, why flounders
should not become a valuable commodity.

That the varied, extensive, and most abundant fisheries of ihs
Gulf of Saint Lawrence, would be greatly influenced by the con-
struction of a Railway along the Eastern Coast of New Brunswick,
there cannot be a reasonable doubt ; but in all probability, the
proposed Railway from Shediac to the Harbour of Saint JoLn,
would affect those fisheries in an equal, if not a greater degree.

The hardy and enterprising fishermen of the Bay of Fundy,
dread the long and dangerous voyage around the whole Peninsula
of Nova Scotift to the fishing grounds of the Gulf, a voyage which
frequently lasts three weeks, and is deemed by underwriters equally
hazardous with a voyage to Europe ; but it is not alone the dangers
of the voyage which deters them from the prosecution of these
fisheries ; it is the great loss of time they occasion, and the expense

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Of the Gulf of Saint Latorence.

25

they create, as these render the adventure, too often, far from
profitable.

A Railway from Shediac to the Port of Saint John, which is
open at all seasons of the year, would enable the various products
of the fisheries to reach a port of shipment in four hours, and the
necessity for the long voyage around Nova Scotia would be wholly
obviated. The fishing vessels could winter at any of the ports on
the Gulf Shore which they found most convenient ; their stores
and outfit could be sent up by Railway ; and they would, in such
case, enjoy the advantage of being on the fishing grounds at the
earliest moment in the spring, and the fisherman could protract
bis labours until winter had again fairly set in.

The fresh salmon, packed in ice, which were sent last season
from Saint John to Boston by the Steamers, owing to the facilities
of transport in the United States, in three days after they left
Saint John, appeared at table, in prime condition, at Albany, Buf-
falo, Niagara Falls, New York, and Philadelphia. If the salmon
of ths northern rivers could be transported by railway to Saint
John, they would find a ready market in the numerous towns
and villages of the United States, and the salmon fishery alone,
would prove a perfect mine of wealth to the northern part of the
Province.

The immense products which might be obtained by a vigorous
prosecution of the fisheries for herring, cod, and mackerel, would
not only furnish a fruitful souoe of profit to a railway, but they
would afford such an amount of remunerative employment to all
the productive classes, as almost to defy calculation. They would
enable the Province to open up, and prosecute, a successful trade
with several foreign countries, with which, at present, the merchants
of New Brunswick have no connection whatever. The farmer
also, would be greatly benefited by the extension of the fisheries
in connection with the railway, because he would not only find a
more ready market for his surplus produce, but he would be fur-
nished with wholesome and nutritious food, at all seasons of the
year, on the most reasonable terms.

Aided by railways, the fisheries of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence,
now of so little importance, and such limited value, would take
rank us one of the highest privileges of New Brunswick — its
unfailing source of wealth forever hereafter. And while the efForts
of the people (vere successfully directed towards securing these
bounties of Providence, lavished with such unsparing hand, they
would rejoice in the goodness of an all-wise Creator, and offer up
humble but earnest thanks to Almighty God, for his exceeding
goodness and mercy towards his erring and sinful creatures.

M. H. PERLEY,

H. M. Emigration Officer^
Government Emigration Office,

Saint John, March o, 1849.

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REPORT

ON

THE SEA AP RIVER FISHERIES OF NEW BRUNSWICK

WITHIN THE GULF OF SAINT LAWRENCE AND BAY OF CHALEUR.

Laid before the House of Assembly by Command of His Excellency the Lieutenant
Governor, and ordered to be Printed 18th February 1850.

In entering upon a description of the Fisheries of New Brunswick
within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, it is necessary to state, that
they fall naturally into two districts, separated distinctly by the
Miramiclii River. To the northward of the Miramichi, tb'^ Sea
Fisheries are prosecuted in a regular and systematic manner, from
permanent Fishing Establishments, technically termed " Rooms,"
while to ihe south of the Miramichi, there are no such Establi.;h-
nients, and the Fisheries, which might be prosecuted extensively
in that quarter, are only followed in a desultory manner.

This Report will therefore fall under three heads : —

1st. The Sea Fisheries on the coast north of the Miramichi,
around the Island of Miscou, and within the Bay of Chaleur, to
the Canadian Boundary.

2nd. The Sea Fisheries from the entrance of the Miramichi
River southwardly, to the Nova Scotia Boundary.

3rd. The Fisheries in all the Rivers within these two Districts.

The various Fishing Establishments north of the Miramichi,
will be first described in the order in which they were visited, with
such information as to the Fisheries of the Coast as was obtained
on the spot.

THE DISTRICT NORTH OF THE MIRAMICHI.
Portage Island.

On the northern side of Miramichi Bay, at the entrance of the
Miramichi River, is Portage Island, which on some of the older
maps is called Waltham Island. It is about four miles and a half
in length, and nearly a mile in width at its southwestern end,
tapering gradually to its northeastern extremity, where it termi-
nates in a long narrow sand-bar.

This Island is yet ungranted. It is low and sandy, much cut np
with marshes, swamps and small lakes ; a portion of it only is
wo led, with dwarf white birch, and scrubby pine and spruce trees.

Near the northeastern end of Portage Island, some buildings
were erected about five years ago, with the necessary conveniences
for putting up salmon and lobsters, in tin cases hermetically sealed.
This station was occupied during the season of 1849, by Mr.

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Report on Sea and Jliver Fisheries

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William J. Fraser, of Chatham, who then for the first time set
lip " fish flalips," and undertook to dry and cure cod, and other
fish, caught near this locality.*

When this establishment was visited in August last, it was in
charge of George Letson, who furnished the following information
in relation to it.

The season for putting up salmon and lobsters was over. There
had been twenty two thousand pounds of salmon, and four thousand
pounds of lobsters, put up in tin cases, of one pound and tw«»
pounds each. The quantity of lobsters put up was much less than
usual, owing to the prevalence of cholera in the United States, and
the consequent want of a market tfiere.

The salmon put up here were all taken around the Island, and
were purchased of tLe fishermen, by this establishment, at 3d, per
pound, fresh caught, with a discount of ten per cent, for cleaning,
whicJi was said to be equal to £3 5s. per barrel. The lobsters
were ciiefly caught by the French inhabitants of *he neighbouring
Neguac Villages, from whom they were purchased at 2s. 6d. cur-
rency, per hundred. They were very plentiful the past season,
especially at Black Lands and Tabusintac Gully ; and as proof of
the ease with which they were taken, it was mentioned that one
Frenchmaki (Victor Savoy) had, unassisted, caught 1200 lobsters
in part of one day. There were from twenty to twenty five men
employed at the preserving establishment during the season.

Up to the 18th August, there had been seven hundred quintals of
cod, ling, and haddock, caught and cured at this " room," to which
a considerable addition was anticipated before the close of the
season. There were then thirty three boats engaged in fishing at
this station, averaging three men to each boat ; these were chiefly
settlers from the neighbouring shores, who employed the period
between seed time and harvest, in following the fisheries. One boat
was owned and manned by three Micmac Indians, from Burnt
Church Point, and it was stated, that although their boat was an
old one, worse rigged and provided than most of the others, yet
these Indians would remain on the fishing ground in more severe
weather than any other of the fishers, and never returned without
a full load of fish.

In the early part of the season, the fishing boats here obtained
their fares at no great distance from Portage Island ; but as the
season advanced, they had to go out, from ten to fifteen miles from
the land- In August, they were fishing near Point Escuniinac,
about twelve miles from Portage Island. These fishermen split
and salted their fish in the boats, which usually came into the
" room" about twice a week ; they were using mackerel and clams
as bait, but previously had used herrings. No capelin had come in
on this part of the coast.

It was stated, that early in July there were from twenty to thirty
sail of American vessels fishing in Miramichi Bay, at the distance
of five to ten miles from Portage Island ; and that they all obtainerl
full fares of No. 3 mackerel. One of these schooners entered the

* From ltt43 to IG47, Jean Jacques Enaud, a native of the Basque Provinces of France,
had an establishment on this Island for taking the morse or valrus> and for prosecuting ths
iur trade and fisheriei>

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Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

29

Miramichi River, and went np as far as Oak Point trading with
the settlers for salmon. The master of this vessel exchanged two
barrels of superfine flour for each barrel of salmon, but he neither
entered, nor paid duties on what he landed. He took the dimen-
sions of the various nets in use, and told the fishermen he would
furnish them next year with similar nets, at half the prices they had
been accustomed to pay. These American fishing vessels have,
during the last three years, traded at Fox Island, on the south side
of Miramichi Bay.

On the bar, at the southwest point of Portage Island, was found
a hovel occupied by a man and boy ; they had been there a fort-
night, with nets and lines, but had only caught a barrel and a half
of mackerel. These were all the mackerel which had been caught
at this station during the season, by the New Brunswick fishermen,
except such as had been used for bait. This man and boy had
taken some fine fall herring, and a small quantity of gaspereaux,
exceedingly fat — so fat that they were boiling the offal in a kettle
to extract the oil, which appeared abundant. It was stated here
that numerous shoals of large basse were then roving about Fox
Island and along the coast, 8. id that they could be, and were, readily
taken, even in the day t'.ae, by a proper basse spear.

A quantity of coaue bent grass grows on the marshes and beaches
of Portage Island ; and certain French residents of the Neguac
villages, imder an old Minute of Council, claim a permissive right
to cut and carry away this grass, paying the sum of £5 annually
to the Crown.

Presuming upon the permission to cut grass, these parties have,
of late years, Stt up a claim to the fisheries of the Island, and during
the past season they actually leased the salmon fishing on its shores
to various parties, at rents from £2 10s. upwards. Six of the per-
sons to whom they leased, are persons residing at or near Burnt
Church, named Peter Morrison, George Logie, John Davidson,
George Davidson, John Anderson, and Alexander Logie. These
parties, during the past season, furnished the salmon for Mr. Fra-
ser's preserving establishment. But the most extraordinary part
of this affair is the fact, that the Act regulating the fisheries in the
County of Northumberland, (29th Geo. 3, c. 5,) positively prohibits
any net whatever being set off Waltham or Portage Island ; and
this salmon fishery has been carried on here in open defiance of
the law, and as is alleged, much to the detriment of the salmon
fishery of the Miramichi River generally. This case will be found
more particularly referred to under the head of River Fisheries of
the Miramichi.

Tabusintac Gully*

This Gully, (from the French goulety) is a narrow entrance,
between two low sand-bars, into the lagoon of Tabusintac, and
through that lagoon to the large river of the same name. The
depth of water in this gully is six and a half feet at low water, and
eleven feet at high water, an average tide being four and a half
feet. The ^ides of the gully are steep, enabling fishing boats and
small vessels to come directly up to the shore.

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On the west side of this gully, a fishing " room" was estab*
lished during the past season by Roderick McLeod, Esquire, of
Tubusintac. There were nineteen boats employed, with three
men each, fishing here, and Mr. McLeod himself had two small
schooners of fifteen tons each. At this '* room" there were taken
during the season, one hundred barrels of spring herring, five hun-
dred quintals of dry fish, and three hundred barrels of pickled fish,
chiefly ling and haddock. Late in the season, Mr. McLeod's
vessels Avere sent to Caraquet, and they there caught eighty six
barrels of the fall herring. This new establishment may therefore
be considered to have made a successful commencement. Only
five barrels of mackerel were taken d;' ing the season ; a mackerel
seine was provided, but the fish did not come sufficiently near the
shore to be taken with it.

It was stated here, that American fishing vessels were frequently
seen in the distance, but that they did not come near the shore,
owing to the light draught of water.

The fishing boats from this gully went out a long distance to*
wards Escuminac, and caught their fish in 25 fathoms water.
They used herrings and mackerel as bait, when they could be pro*
cured ; but in August, they were using clams. They frequently
took halibut of large size, a s'ligle fish being sometimes sufficient
to fill a barreh

Tracady Guliy.

The principal entrance to the Tracady Lagoon and Rivers is at
Little Tracady Gully, in which there is six feet at low water, and
nine feet at high water; at spring tides there is ten feet. At this
plice, Mr. James Youngs of Tracady, has a small fishing station,
which employed ten boats, with three men each, up to the 5th
August, when the season was closed. The cacch was 200 quintals
of dry fish.

The Jersey houses, formerly, had an extensive fishing " room"
near this gully, at which they caught and cured from 3000 to 4000
tjuintals of cod annually. The capelin then came in on this part
of the coast in great abundance, and they were largely used by
the settlers for manuring the land. Apparently this had the eflfect
of breaking up the run of these fish, as now they have almost
ceased to appear along this shore. With the disappearance of the
capelin, the cod fishery fell ofif gteatly, and about six years since,
the Jersey houses found it necessary to break up their establish-
ments here. A very fev\^ capelin were seen at this place in the
season of 1848, but none whatever in the season of 1849.

At Little Tracady Gully, a number of the large white sea
trout of the Gulf (salmo trutta marina,) were taken in nets,
during the early part of June last.

Shippagan Gully,,

This Gully is at the southern end of Shippagan Island, and
between it and the main land. It forms an entrance to Shippagan
Harbour, from the Gulf, and has nearly the same depth of water
as Little Tracady Gully*

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Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

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Just within this gully, on Shippagan Island, in a well slielterecl
and very convenient position, is the fishing •« room" of Messrs.
Wra. Fruing & Co., of Jersey, of which Capt. George Alexandre,
of Jersey, was found in charge.

At this place there were sixty boats engaged in fishing, averag-
ing two men and a boy to each boat, tt was stated, that each of
these boats would probably take 100 quintals of fish during the
season, but that the boats belonging to the f rm, manned by Jersey
men, would take more.

On the 21st August there were at this " room," 2,500 quintals
of dry fish, exceedingly well cured. On the day it Was visited
there were 600 quintals of cod spread out to dry ; they were exceed-
ingly white and hard, of the finest quality, and were about to be
shipped to Naples, for which market the very best fish are required.
They are shipped in bulk, and the manner in which they are
stowed in the holds of the vessels is very neat and compact. It
requires great skill and care to stow them without breaking, and
in such manner as to prevent their receiving damage on so long
a voyage ; but long practice and experience have conquered these
difficulties, and cargoes are rarely injured by bad stowage.

The ling cured at this establishment are sent to Cork for the
Irish market ; and the haddock to the Brazils. The first quality
cod cured here in 1848, instead of being sent to Naples were shipped
to the Mauritius ; it was not stated what success had attended
this adventure.

Nearly all the fishermen at this establishment were French
settlers, who had small farms, or patches of laud, somewhere in the
vicinity, which they cultivated. It was the opinion of Captain
Alexandre, that the fishermen here could not live unless they
possessed land, and obtained something from the soil ; if they did
not, they nearly starved. Those who are too poor to own boats
hire them of the firm for the season, that is, until the l5th August,
when the summer fishing ends. If the boats are used for the
autumn or " fall" fisliing, there is, of course, another hiring.

The fishing usually continues until the 15th October, and it was
expected that the whole catch of the season of 1849 would amount
to 3,500 quintals — if the weather proved favourable, probably 4,000
quintals.

The boats come in here directly to the •* stage head," upon which
the fish are thrown ; they are at once split and cleaned by the
fishermen, on tables provided for the purpose ; and SOOib offish,
fresh from the knife, are weighed off as sufficient to make a quintal
of dry fish, with the allowance of one-tenth for the curer. If the
fish are split and salted in the boats, and lay one night, then 2521b
are weighed as a quintal. The fishermen are allowed for a
quintal of cod thus weighed, ten shillings, and for ling and haddock,
five shillings, — the amount payable in goods at the state of the
firm, on Point Amacque, where a large quantity of foreign goods
is kept, of every variety. Here were found Jersey hose and stock-
ings— Irish butter — Cuba molasses — Naples biscuit, of half apound
each— Brazilian sugar — Sicilian lemons — Neapolitan brandy-
American tobacco — with English, Dutch, and German goods,—

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but nothing of Colonial produce or manufacture, except Canadian
pork and flour.

Some of the residents at Shippagan, who are in more indepen-
dent circumstances, nrospcute the fisheries in connection with their
farming, curing the nsh themselves, and disposing of them at the
close of the reason to the Jersey merchants, or to others, as they
see fit. Of this class is Monsieur Leon Robicheaux, who is men-
tioned in the Report of last year. He has a good farm on Ship-
pagan Island ; the past season he planted forty nine barrels of
potatoes, as also wheat, oats, and barley, the whole of wliich
promised to yield an abundant return. Besides these farming
operations. Monsieur Robicheaux and his family, caught and cured
during the season, two hundred and fifty quintals of dry fish — in
all twenty four thousand fish, the whole taken in twenty five to
forty fathoms of water. For these, well cured and of the best
quality, Mons. R. would receive from the Jersey merchants, in
cash, for cod, i2s., ling, 6s., and haddock, 5a. per quintal. They
also took thirty barrels of spring herrings, twelve large halibut,
and four barrels c<" mackerel ; this small quantity of the latter being
merely the surplus beyond what Mons. R. required for bait, for
wliich alone they were caught. Mons. Robicheaux stated, that a
large salmon had been taken, only a week previously, (22d August)
on a cod line, from one of his boats ; and he expressed an opinion,
that there were many salmon roving along the shores of Miscou,
during the season. Tills opinion was subsequently found to be
correct.

At this place a large clam, or rather mussel, was exhibited,
which had been taken from the stomach of a cod. The shell w
of a dark blue colour ; the flesh was light red, and it protni
much beyond the shell— it cut like meat, which it greatly res«....-
bled. These shell fish are said to exist only in very deep water ;
wherever they are found, there is always plenty of cod, which are
said to be exceedingly fond of them, and to prefer them as bait to
almost any other thing which can be used.

It was stated that the settlers on Shippagan Island, used five
hundred barrels of spring herrings, as manure, the past season.

Miscou Island.

This Island lies at the northeasternmost extremity of New
Brunswick, at the entrance into the Bay of Chaleur. It is about
nine miles in length, and four in width, at its broadest part. The
whole of it is very low, and its greater portion consists of carriboo
bogs, mossy swamps, small lakes, salt marshes, and sand plains ;
the two latter producing a scanty growth of wild grass. There
are however, some small tracts of land upon it fit for agricultural
pursuits, and these have been granted to Mr. Andrew Wilson,
and Mr. John Marks, who reside upon their lands. But wild,
barren, and almost desolate as is this Island of Miscou, yet it is
an admirable station for the fisheries ; its value in this respect was
well known more than two centuries ago to the French, m whose
history it has a conspicuous petition. About the year 1635, a
company was established in France for the purpose of carrying

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Within the Oulf of Saint Lawrence. 88

on the fur trade and fiaheriea in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, of
which, the King of France was at the head. It was called the
•• Royal Company of'Miscou," and it had extensive powers and
privileges. The principal station of the compnny was on the
Island of Miscoii, within the harbour of Little Shippagan, which
is formed between the Islands of Shippagan and Miscou, where
it is said some of the foundations of the company's buildings are
yet to be seen. 'I'he principal pursuit of the company of Miscou,
was the taking of the morse or walrus, whose favourite echouage,
or strand, was near Point Miscou, the northeastern extremity of
the Island. These huge animals were valuable for their skins and
the oil they furnished, as also for the ivory of their tusks. They
were frequently killed by three and four hundred at a time, and
their destruction was carried on so unremittingly, and with such
success; that they have become wholly extinct at Miscou.

On visiting the echonage, or place where the walrus were
formerly slain in such numbers, a little to the westward of Point
Miscou, it was found that the ancient beach is now nearly a
quarter of a mile from the sea ; a long strip of sand plain, covered
with coarse grass and a great abundance of cranberries, at this
time intervenes between the present sea-beach and the former
strand. This strip of recent formation is called the Grande Plaine;
and the ciuving shore in its front is called by the fishermen
UAnce & Cande Piaine. On examining the ancient shore, near
the outer edge of a belt of small spruce and fir trees, the bones of
the walrus which had formerly been slain there, were found im-
bedded in the sand in large quantities, and in good preservation,
some of the skeletons being quite co: iplete.

The harbour of Little Shippagan is an exceedingly good one,
and well sheltered; it is much resorted to by American fishing
vessels during heavy easterly storms, and as many as ninety sail
of these vessels have been observed in this harbour at one time. —
The entrance from the Gulf is by a small gully, in which there is
only eight feet at low water and twelve feet at high water, in
ordinary tides. This passage is only used by fishing boats and
small craft. The principal entrance is from the Bay of Chaleur ;
it is about half a mile in width, with eight fathoms at low water,
which depth is maintained well into the harbour, where the chan-
nel becomes narrow, with perpendicular ^ides, yet still very deep.
This excellent harbour is of great use and importance to the
numerous fishing vessels frequenting the Gulf, and the Bay of
Chaleur. .: •;■,!) ,J«<:>! \: . '.; ;,,;::!<; ■-■:.: ^•\''>\-.in <■ ' ''! "-

■■■'■ '' '" ' Mr. Andrew Wilson^ a Establishment.

The farm of Mr. Wilson is ci Miscou Island, a short distance
to the eastward of Little Shippagan Gully, into which his fishing
boats run for shelter ; within the gully, on the MiScou side, he
has for several years occupied a convenient place for curing fish.
The soil here, although light and sandy, yields good crops. There
were, on the 23rd August, several fine fields of oats, and some good
v^heat. The quantity of potatoes planted was 70 barrels, and
nothing could' be finer than the appearance of tltSs' drop, Which

3

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Hi

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34

Report on Sea and River Fisheries

promised an abundant yield. It ^as stated by Mr. Wilson, that
in former years his potatoes had been but slightly affected with the-
potato disease, and that his crop of this vegetable was generally
good. He keeps 70 sheep, ai»d the mutton is peculiarly fine,
owing to the character of the wild grasses on which his sheep are
pastured.

Mr. Wilson is an emigrant from Aberdeen^ in Scotland, who has
been settled on this Island upwards of sixteen years* He has a
family of eight sons and two daughters, all residing witli him ; from
their unceasing industry and economy, this large fami'y is now
living in much comfort, and apparently becoming quite independent.
Mr. Wilson himself is a person of intelligence and observation, and
he furnished much information as to the Island of Miscou, and it^
fisheries, which is here embodied.

The family has three boats, manned by six of the sons ; up tc
the 28rd of August last, they had c»nght and cured 200 quintals
of dry fish, besides i40 barrels of herrings. Last spring, the
herrings came in much earl'er, and in greater quantities than were
ever known before. Mr. Wilson said, that when he put out hia
nets on the 15th of May last, they became so completely filled
with herring, that he could not lift them out again> He cured as
many as he could with all the salt at that time to be had. T^he
fish were in such abundanc;^, and so close to the shore, that they
came rolling in with the breakers in masses, and were picked up
along the strand by the children.

It was stated by Mr. Wilson, as also by other persons along the
coast, that none of the Jersey houses would furnish salt, even lo
their best customers, to cure herring, mackerel, or tny pickled fish \
and that they discouraged the catching and curing of all fish, except
sue!) as were dried and fit for the foreign markets nlrea ly mentioned.
This was assigned as one reason nhy the valuable herring and
macker?! fisheries on this coast are not more extensively proseeuted.

During the time Mr. Wilson has resided at Miscou, be never
knew the herring fail in any spring, but they were more abundant
the last season than he ever knew them before. Many herring
fishers from the main land resort to tiiis Island every spring ; but
it is thought that not more than one-tenth of the fisl they take are
salted, the remaining nine- tenths being pnt on the fields as manure.

There has always been a good supply of capelin at Miscou until
the last two seasons, during which very fe.v have been seen ; but
this falling ofif is supposed to be only temporary or accidental. It
is spid that when capelin are plentiful at Miscou, they are scarce at
Labrador, and vice versa. The past season capelin were unusually
abundant at Labrador, and the fishing there, in consequence, was
better than usual. Some of the boats that were there, with two
mep only, caught 100 quintals each boat in twelve days. At
Labrador, one hundred cod of eighteen inches each in length, are
accounted a quintal.

The ice usually clears away from the shores of Miscou at the
latter part of March or early in April. During some winters th-^
open water is seen at pU times ; b"it it easterly winds prevail th^
ice is driven in, and closes the coast. The fishermen sometintes

■■;'?

Within the Guif t>f Saint Lawrence.

^

go out in April in small boats to take seals among the ice in the
Gulf, and it is said that they succeed well in proportion to their
outfit.

When the spring herring come to the shore, the cod, which
follow them in, are taken at a very short distance from the land.
As the season advances, the cod retire to the deeper water ; in
August the best fishing was at fifteen railes from the shore, er even
more.

Mr. Wilson's farm is bounded to tlie northeastward by a salt
water lake, called Grand Mai-Bay, which communicates with the
Oulf by a very narrow g'^lly through the sand reef, or sea wall,
which separates the lake from the gulf. Mr. Wilson stated, that
«ome years since a rnn of cod eni -od Mai-Bay through the gully,
and as a large portion of this lake is dry at low water, about ten
thousand codfish were then left dry. Of these Mn Wilson secured
About one thousand, which he cleaned and cured ; he was unable
to take any more from the want of assistance, and the rest of the
fish spoiled and were lost. On another occasion, he surrounded,
•and took at one haul of his net, the w'hole of a "schull " of basse,
•570 in number, weighing from 4!bs. toSlbs. each. In this Mai-
Bay, there is always during the season a great abundance and
variety of wild fowl ; in August, black ducks and large plover
were observed in very large flocks. In the latter part of every
season the sons of Mr. Wilson are accustomed to shoot, at this
place, from 300 to 400 wild geese, for which sport they have proper
decoys and large guns ; the feathers are va* uable, and the bodies
•of the geese, then in fine condition, are frozen down for winter use.

A small fat herring conies in on this coast at the end of June,
and remains all the season. They are caught at various distances,
from half a mile to 20 miles from the shore, in a net with a mesh
of one inch and a quarter, Tlvese £sh are quite distinct and alto-
gether different from the spring herring, or the " fall " herring.
The latter are usually caught in nets with a mesh of one inch and
three quarters, but the finest are taken in mackerel nets, with a
mesh of two inches and a half.

In corroboration of the testimony of Monsieur Leon Robicheaux,
that -salmon were roving about Miscou, Mr. Wilson mentioned,
that by way of experiiuent he put out a small salmon net last
June, and caught altogether twelve s&lmon; th« largest fish
•weighed eighteen pounds, and the weight of the whole was 141
pounds In the same net he also took seven mackerel of very
'nrge size, two sturgeon, two shad, and mere than a dozen of the
large white trout of the Gulf. During the last week in August
Inhere were many basse along the more, very fat and in fine con-
dition. Mr. Wilson said that vt len salted these fish are nearly as
^ood as salmon for winter use. Haljbut of large size are said to
be abundant at this locality.

From the point south bf LitUe S>hi))pagan Gully, which is named
*< Pidgeon Hill," to Point Miscou, the shore has a general curve
inward, forming a sort of bight in front of Mr. Wilson's farm,
^his bight is much frequented by American schooners fisliing
Cor mackexel. They entice the mackerel to the surface by bait

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Report on Sea and River Fisheries

cut up by the bait-mill, (as described in the Report of 1849), and
they are sometimes so abundant here that the "jig" even is not
used. One of Mr. Wilson's sons said he had seen the mackerel
almost in a solid mass alongside one of these American schooners,
the crew of which were lifting them in very rapidly with iron wires,
about three feet in lengthy having a hook at the extremity, which
were fastened to a wooden staff, or handle, of about the same length.
These schooners have been known to make full fares of mackerel
here in nine days. Since the Americans began taking these fish
in such quantities, they have become more scarce, or rather the
resident fishermen are unable to take them, owing to their imper-
fect tackle, and antiquated mode of fishing.

Mr. Wilson is clearly of opinion that it would be far better for
the resident fishermen if the American fishers were allowed to
land on these shores, for the purpose of cleaning and curing their
fish, than to compel them, as at present, to clean their fish on the
fishing grounds, where the bones <ind offal seriously injure the
fisheries -he sctys, they should either be excluded altogether from
the Gulf, or else allowed to land upon its shores. He conceives
that great goad would arise, both to the herring and mackerel
fisheries, and much improvement, if the Americans were allowed
to establish stations on the shores of New Brunswick, for prosecu-
ting those fisheries. The benefits of competition were also alluded
to by Mr, Wilson, who said — " the Jersey houses exact too large
profits, and keep the fishers in poverty ; they look only to one
branch of fishing, and discourage all others."

. ,' ' Point Miscou.

, ' . ' ' '

About four miles to the northeastward of Mr. Wilson's farm,
and near to Point Miscou, are two fishing ** rooms " belonging to
the Jersey houses of Fru'.ng & Co., and LeBoutillier Brothers.

The first of these '* rooms," belonging to Fruing & Co., is very
close to the sea-beach, with an open road-stead in front, and a
heavy sea rolling in with any wind from the eastward between
north and aouth. It was found in charge of Mr. DeCarteret,
acting under the orders of Messrs. Alexandre at Shippagan.

This establishment employ s twenty boats, having two men each ;
on the 24th of August, there was on hand 1 100 quintals of dry
fish, and it was e)ipeoted thfere W6uld be 300 quintals more caught
and curted before the season closed. There was no pickled fisi; .t
this "foona." ; . :

Mr. DeCarteret stated, that an American vessel fishing off
Point Miscou, a week previously, and having on board nearly a
full fare of cod, had found the mackerel in such extraordinary
abundance, that the crew had thrown Overboard one hundred and
fifty quintals of green fish, in order to mbike room for mackerel,
with which the vessel had been quickly filled up.

The " room "of Messieurs LeBoutillier is the nearest to Point
Miscou, and was fo\md in charge of Mr. LeBas. The buildings
here are well and substantially biiilt ; they were in excellent order
outside, and very cleanly within. The fish flakes are en a
piece of ground neatly levelled, and now in grass ; it is surrounded

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

37

with high pallisades, as well to keep oflf marauders, as to prevent
the loose sand from drifting in upon the fish while drying.

At this •' room " there were also twenty boats engaged, having
two men each; they had taken 1200 quintals of fish, and were
expected to take 300 quintals more before the season closed.

Mr. LeBas stated, that the A'^ericans had injured the cod
fishing by glutting the mackerel, so that a suflRcient quantity could
not be caught for bait ; and that this, added to the failure of the
capelin, had caused a great diminution in the cod fishing at Miscou.
Other baits being scarce in August, smelts were used, which were
taken by a seine. While the writer was at this " room," the seine
was hauled three times, and besides securing a supply of very fine
smelts, it brought on shore small cod and ling, flounders, one plaice,
many crabs, sculpins or crapaud de tner, and lobsters of all sizes
in abundance. At an earlier period in the season, Mr- LeBas said,
the seine brought on shore large quantities of shrimps, which were
turned out again as being of no use.

Although the beach in 'ront of Messieurs LeBoutillier's " room"
is a little sheltered by two gravelly sand spits, which run out a
short distance from the land, yet it is much exposed to easterly
gales, and a very heavy sea then comeu tumbling in. At such
times the fishing boats are moored outside the outermost roller,
with the masts struck and all made snug to ride out the gale ; or
^'Ise they are beached, and hatiled up above high water mark. —
Except when the wind is off shore, there is much difficulty in
landing supplies here, which are chiefly furnished from Messieurs
LeBoutillier's principal establishment at Paspebiac in Gasp,

The extreme point of Miscou was granted some years since to
Peter John Duval, of Jersey, after which it was occupied by his
agent Mr. Falle, as a fishing station. The grant includes a wide,
ekallow, salt water lake, similar to Mai-Bay, designated on the
plan " Munroe's Lake," but by the r sidenta it is called " Frye's
Lake." The gully through the sea wall, by whi(;h this lake com-
municated with the Gulf, was rinerly at its southern extremity,
but this is now filled up; and vhere Mr. F^alle's '"Stage head''
formerly stood in deep water, there- was, last st-ason, a field of barley
growing luxuriantly. The gully, or out ■ of tlie lake, is now at
its northern end, very neur the extreuiity of Point Miscou.

The grantee of this property and his agent are both dead, and
it is said to be owned at present by some person in Jersey, 't is
not occupied as a fishing station, and in its present p'sition, is in
the way of others who wish to carry on the fisheries This unfor-
tunate and improvident grant should serve as a caution to prevent
similar grants hej^'after, by which valuable and desirable fishing
stations may thus be shut up and rendered usele.ss.

The Settlers on Miscou.

The " fishing rooms " at Miscou are shut up in the winter
season, and left in charge of one of the residents, who is called the
*' room keeper. " The Jersey men emplo) ed here during the
summer, either return to Jersey for the winter, or go to the Medi-
terranean in the vessels which take the dried fish to the markets

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Report on Sea aitd River Fisheries

there, returning to their posts in the spring. They are cotnpletely
birds of passage, having no tie in this Province, or any interest in
its general prosperity. The actual residents on Miscou number
one hundred and twenty five souls, and are thus described —

On the Gulf Shore, Andrew Wilson and family,

Little Shippagan Flarbour, Robert Harper,

" " John Marks,

Point Mig"ou, at ^rrandePlaine, John. LeCoutre,

" " George Sevret,

At Frye's Lake,
East of Point Miscou^

kC

Teton Chasseau,
Louis Gautier,.
Josiah Ward,
Francis Bezeau>
William Ward,
Michael Ward,
Peter Bezeau,
George Brovrn,
Michael Plaw, "

John Vibert, "

James Ward, "

Pierre Dupufts, "

John Burns, (single)

(4

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((^
it
(-(
(-(
((■

f6
6
6
6
6
6

II
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10
5
6

10

6

.>

t

Total number of souls, 125

The settlers in Little Shippagan Harbour do not follow fishings
but attend to the cultivation of the land, some of which is there-
tolerably good.

The settlers at Point Miscou are all fisliemien, who are envployedi
every season at tl>e fishing stations, to which they are more or less
in debt. Their houses are built of logs and poles ; these are small,
and very ill fitted to resist the severity of the climate. They culti-
vate little patches of ground, ia a very imperfect manner ;. the
manure used is ge — ally cods heads* They are all squatters on
Crown Lands, aud app^^ar very anxious ta procure some title to-
occupy their several locations, either by licence of occupation or
otherwise. While the writer was at Miscou they prepared tlie
petition which is annexed to this Report, praying such licences of
occupation, with privilege of the beaches in front of their locations ;
and also some arrangements with respect to the wild grass on tho-
marshes and beaches of the Island.

The petitioners statod, as a great hardship, that the wild meadows
in the County of (illoucester are sold 'jvesy season at Bathurst,
where they are unable to attend, at a nominal sum ;* tliat those
on Miscou are purchased for a few shillings by one of the Jersey
merchants, who charges them ten shillings per ton for the marsh
hay, and five shillings per ton for the beach grass, which thfr
fishermen themselves cut and cure. To these terms they must
submit, or else they can make no provision for their cows, by which
they endeavour to eke out a miserable su' sislence during the winter.

* The whole of the wild meadows in the County of Oloucester were told in 1848 for oa*
pound only.— See Appendix to JournaU of the Aiaei .bly for 1849.

\^^i

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

39

To account for their abject poverty, they furnished the following
statement, of the rates at which they were paid for the fish they
caught : —

For 2521bs. ot cod, fresh from the knife, (supposed equal to a
4}uintal of dried fish,) 8s. ; for the like quantity of ling or haddock,
4s. These ratesare paid in supplies at the following prices: For
Canadian fine flour, 5 Is. per barrel ; for pork, (very poor,) lOd.
per !ti : molasses, 3s. 6d. per gallon ; tobacco, Is. 9d. per lb ; men's
coarse shoes, 14s. per pair ; coarse calicoes. Is. 3d. per yard ; tea,
(very inferior quality) 4s. per lb; other articles in proportion.
For any supplies advanced in the winter or spring, 15 per cent,
additional is charged.

The settler at Frye'a Lake, Louis Gautier, has a wife and nine
children, a very handsome and healthy family, (jautier himself
is a fine figure of a man, and an excellent specimen of the French
veteran soldier. He belonged in former days to the grand army
of France,, under Napoleon, and served in the 69th Regiment of
the line, which was in Marshall Ney's Division at Waterh)0, where
Gautier's military services ended. His house, which is very slight,
contains but a single room, in the centre of which is a Canadian
stove 4 there is a bedstead in one corner for Gautier and his wife —
the children " encamp" -around the stove, as they may. The
house, when visited, was a perfect pattern of cleanliness, and the
iew articles it contained were arranged with tine military precision.
There was part of an jicre of ground in cultivation ; but weeds and
thistles were more abundant than the crop. The situation of this
settler will give a general idea of the position of the whole, except
as to cleanliness-
All the settlers at Point Miscou complained bitterly of their
poverty, and s^ate of bondage. They said they were completely
in the hands of the Jersey merchants, to whom they were indebted,
and who dictated their own prices and terms of dealing. They
appeared to feel very much the want of a scliool ; and they stated
the surprising fact, that they had never been visited by priest or
clergyman of any denomination. The children are growing up
unbaptised, and in total ignorance ; this state of things ought not
longer to exist in a christian community which patronizes foreign
missions. Tnere excellent health requires no aid from the physi-
cian ; but they desire a resident magistrate to enforce the laws
and maintain good order at all times, but more especially during
the fishing season, when the Island is the rescrt of many lawless
fishers from abroad.

The general voice indicated Mr. Wilson as a fit and proper
person ; he is highly respected, and if he accepted the office, would
perform the duties of a magistrate fearlessly and faithfully.

The absolute state of serfdom of the fishermen of Point Miscou
has been particularly described, because there are like bodies of
fishermen at other localities in th^ northern part of the Province,
who ard held in nearly the same state of poverty and bondage.
The more favoured inhabitants of New Brunswick, who dwell at
a distance from its remote northern shores, will no donbt be sur-
prised to learn, that there are aiiy of their fellow subjects, dwelling

illljl

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40

Report On Sea and River Fisheries

in the same colony, who are even in a worse position than southern
slaves, and of whose moral, physical, and spiritual wants, less care
has been taken.

Shippagan Island.

This Island is about twelve miles in length, and from three to
seven miles in width. A small proportion of it only is granted,
but the shores, in every part where tlie land appears at all suscep-
tible of cultivation, are settled by persons who are presumed to
be squatters, as their locations appear by the official plan to be
nn;?ranted. The Island is all very low land, rising but little above
the sea, and like Miscou, a large portion of its surface consists of
bogs, barrens, swamps, and marshes, with many small shallow
lakes, much frequented by waterfowl, which breed in the interior
and unfrequented parts of the Island. Like Miscou also, it pro-
duces large quantities of cranberries, blueberries, and a variety of
other wild fruits, of large size and fine flavour.

Off the western part of this Island, within the Bay of Chaleur,
there is an extensive shallow flat, extending nearly two miles from
the land, called the Grand Batt are. On this flat there are nume-
rous large blocks or boulders of granite firmly imbedded, whicli
render it dangerous to cross, even with a fishing boat ; the wreck
of a fishing boat was noticed upon it when the writer crossed in
his canoe. These boulders are brought over from the wild and
mountainous shores of Gaspe, directly across the Bay, by the huge
masses of floating ice driven over by the northerly gales, which
ground upon t\xQ Grand Datture, and there melting, add the rocks
they bring to those already deposited. With reference to this
moving of rocks by ice, Mr. Wilson mentioned that there was
formerly a very large rock directly in front of his landing place at
Miscou, which was much in the way of his boats, and against
which, in stormy weather, they had often received damage. But
the severe winter of 1848-9, caused tiie ice to attain an unusual
strength and thickness near the shores of Miscou ; and when it
moved ofi" last spring, it carried off this large rock, to deposit it
where, he hoped, it would be less troublesome.

Great Shippagan Harbour.

This spaciour harbour is formed between Shippagan and Pock-
soudie Islands, and the main land. It comprises three large and
commodious harbours; first— the great inlet of Amacque, in Ship-
pagan Island, the depth of water into which is from five to six
fathoms; second — the extensive and well sheltered sheet of wa^er
called " Saint Simon's Inlet," the channel leading into which,
betweerv Pocksoudie Island and the main, is one mile in width,
with seven fathoms water from side to side ; and third— the middle
channel, between Shippagan Island and the main land, which runs
through from the Bay of Chaleur to the (Julf of Saint Lawrence.
The entrance into this channel, front the Gulf, is by Shippagan
Gully, already mentioned, which will not with safety admit ves-
sels drawing more than seven feet water, that being the depth on
the bar at low water ; but the principal entrance from the Bay of
Chaleur has not less than five fathoms on the bar, ineide which,

ri

Within the Gulf of Saint Laiorence,

41

ii:

within the harbour, there is six and seven fathoms up to the usual
loading place, in front of Messrs. Moore and [Harding's steam
saw-mill, at the village ; from thence to the gully there is about
three fathoms only. Vessels within the harbour of Sliippagan
have good anchorage, are quite safe witli every wind, and can load
in the strongest gale ; the rise and fall of tide is about seven feet.

This fine harbour offers peculiar facilities for prosecuting the
fisheries, as the fishing boats have the advantag'e of two entrances
by which they can enter or depart with any wind, and resort
either to the fishing grounds of tlie Gulf, or those of tiie Bay of
Chaleur, as best suits their interest or convenience. There is
every facility for fishing boats to come up to the shores to dis-
charge their fares, and fish flakes may be set up every where,
without inconvenience.

The noble haven called " Saint Simon's Inlet," the shores of
which are almost wholly unsettled and in a wilderness state, runs
several miles into the land, maintaining a good depth of water
almost to its western extremity. From tliis extremity, whero
navigable, it is little more than a mile to the navigable waters of
Pokemouche River. The two waters are separated by a deep
peat- bog, nearly destitute of tr^s ; and it has been proposed to
connect theni by a canal tiirough the bog, wliich it is supposed
might be cut at no very great expense. There is much good land
on the banks of the Pokemouche River, upon which there are as
yet but few settlers. It is difficult and somewhat dangerous, even
for small craft, to get intft this river from the sea. The gully is
very narrow and crooked, and there is but six feet water on the
bar — vessels cannot load outside, there being only an open road-
stead wholly exposed.

The logs and timber cut on the Pokemouche River are made
np into long rafts, and when there is a favourable opportunity with
the wind oflf the shore, they are towed along the beach by several
pairs of oxen to Shippagan Gully, from whence they fio up to the
steam-mill with the tide. If the wind or sea rises while the rafts
are being towed, they are occasionally broken up, when labour and
expense are incurred in putting them together again.

If Pokemouche River emptied into Shippagan Harbour, or if it
could now be connected with it by a sufficient channel, great
advantages would ari«e to the timber trade and fisheries, while the
agricultural improvement of a large tract of country would be
specially promoted. Shippagan Harbour wants a river— Poke-
mouche River wanlc a harbour— it is highly desirable that the two
should be brought into connection.

Caraquet Bay.

The Bay lies to the northward of Shippagan Harbour, the
entrance being between Pocksoudie Island and Mizzinette. In
this entrance is Garaquet Island, which is about three miles in
length, and one and a quarter in width at its widest part. There
is a deep but intricate channel on the southeastern side of this
Island, leading to the harbour, inside which there is good anchor-
age, well sheltered.

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42

Report on Sea and River Fisheriea

Along the south side of Caraquet Bay the land is all settled,
and under tolerably good cultivation ; from the sea, the settlement
looks like a long straggling village. The inhabitants, with very
few exceptions, are all Acadian French. The first settlers were
from France, who established themselves here in the year 1638,
very shortly after the formation of the " Royal Company of Mis-
cou." The soil in general is very fertile, aud produces good crops
of grain, especially wheat, the atmosphere being dry and pure —
fogs are almost unknown in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and Bay
of Chaleur.

Very many of the inhabitants of Caraquet follow fishing as well
as farming, but as they are more easy in their circumstances, they
are not so much under the control of ihe great fishing houses as
the poorer class of fishermen. They generally cure their own fish.

The following information was furnished at Caraquet by James
Blackball, Esq., J. P., and Mr. Mackintosh, a merchant there,
engaged in the fisheries.

From " Saiut Simon's Inlet " to " Point Mizzinette," which
includes the whole settlement, or Caraquet proper, there are two
hundred fishing boats, with two men each, and some boys. The
average catch of these boats is fifty quintals of fish during the
season. Tiiey take besides, large quantities of spring and fall
herrings ; the former are chiefly used as manure, the latter are
exceedingly fine, perhaps as fine as can be found any where of the
herring tribe. Gaspereaux are caught also ; late in the season
they arie an exceedingly fat fish, well flavoured ; the only objec-
tion to them is their oily richness.

The fall herrings are taken at night ; they are " gibbed " when
brought on shore the following day, and salted iu puncheons. At
the end of three days the pickle is changed, fresh pickle being then
put on. About a week after this, or at convenience, they are
packed off" in barrels for market. They are packed just as they
come to hand ; they are not sorted or selected in any way. Large
and small, broken and damaged fish are ail put up together.

The herring nets in use at Caraquet are from 30 to 40 fathoms
long -^nd 80 meshes in depth ; the mesh is 2 j or 2} inches. Each
boat has generally two nets, sehlora more. No more fall herrings
are caught than are needed for home consumption.

Mr. Mackintosh stated, that he has shipped fall herrings to
Quebec, and the pric 's at which they sold there was just equal to
the freiglit from Caraquet The reason -was obvious; the fish
were not properly cured, assorted, or packed.

Very few mackerel were taken in Caraquet Bay during the
past season by the fishers there. Early in August the American
schooners were fishing for mackerel off Point Mizzinette, where
they obtained full fares in a short time.

The practice of cleaning fish on the fishing grounds, and throw-
ing over the bones and ofial, was strongly reprobated by Mr.
Mackintosh, as highly injurious to the cod fishery.

The long established and wealthy Jersey firm of Charles Robin
& Co., whose principal establishment is at Paspebiac, in Gaspe,
have a station at Caraquet, of which Mr. Briard was in charge.

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Within the Guff of Saint Lawrence.

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The bnildings, and every thing else connected with tliis station*
were in that perfectly complete and excellent state which marks
all the establishments of Robin & Co.

They here take in fish from the inhabitants at the following
rates: — best cod at 16s. per quintal; haddock, 6s. per quintal.
They do not take ling at any rate, nor do they deal in pickled fish.
The prices mentioned are paid in goods, thus-:- Flour (not super-
fine) 4.58. per barrel; pork, 8d. per lb.; molasses, 2s. lOd. per
gallon ; tobacco, Is. 4d. per lb. ; men's shoes, lis. per pair. They
do not sell any tea, that being an article rarely used in Caraquet.

Very fair oysters are found in Caraquet Bay and Saint Simon's
Inlet, but those in Caraquet Bay are said to be the best. Of these
several thousand bushels are sent annually to Quebec in schooners;
a small quantity only was sent the past season, owing to the exist-
ence of the cholera there, and the consequent want of a market.

At day break on the 29th August, the writer crossed that part
of Caraquet Bay between Caraquet Island and Point Mizzinette,
which is the best ground for herring fishing. On this " herring-
bank," as it is termed, there were then 160 fishing boats, which
had just taken up their nets after the night's fishing, They had
not been very successful : the night had been clear and calm, and
a dark night, with a fresh breeze, is the best for herring fishing.
The largest quantity taken by any of these boats during the night
was six barrels ; the fish were in the very best condition, and their
excellence could scarcely be equalled, certainly not surpassed, by
herring«» any where. Tlip fishermen appeared to have no idea that
the herring swims at various depths below the surface, according
to the wind, the tide, and the situation of their food. They all
fished their nets fastened to a buoy-rope, supported by floats ou the
surface ; if the run of the fish happened to be below the depth of
the net, they were of course missed altogether ; and although there
may be abundance of fish, yet the fishers, from the want of know-
ledge or skill, must be frequently unsuccessful. The fresli herrings
are sold to purchasers from 2s. 6d. to 3s. per barrel ; three barrels
of round herrings will make two barrels when cleaned and salted.

On the 12th September, there were 280 fishing boats on this
bank, collected from all parts of the neighbouring coasts. At the
close of the season, the herring fishing was said not to have been
good, less than the usual quantity being taken. The fish made
their appearance on the 20th of August, previous to which not
even a single one had been taken ; there did not appear to be any
deficiency in the numbers, and the failure of the fishery may to a
certain extent be attributed to a want uf knowledge of the habits
of the fish, and also of the manner of using nets in deep water, so
successfully practised by the herring fishers of Loch Fyne.

The writer had an opportunity at Caraquet, of seeing the
manner in which herrings were treated after being caught. The
nights' fishing being over, the boats made their way to the shore,
each to its own landing. The fishers had, in the first place, to get
their breakfasts ; after which it was absolutely necessary they
should smoke their pipes. Having been out all night, a little sleep
was indispensable ; and, in too many cases, the fish lay in the boats

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Report on Sea and River Fisheries

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or on the shore, nearly all the day, sweltering under a broiling sun.
In the afternoon perhaps, they were '* gibbed " and salted, but by
this tim^ the process of decomposition had actually commenced,
and the fine flavour of tlie fish was utterly lost.

When it U recollected that the Dutch mode of curing, so suc-
cessfully adopted in Scotland, requires that the herrings, imme-
diately on being caught, should be bled, gutted, cleaned, salted,
and barrelled ; that by being bled, the herrings retain a sweetness
of flavour and delicacy of flesh which U"bled herrings cannot pos-
sibly possess ; and tliat the rapidity of the process of curing likewise
aids in preserving the native delicacy of the animal ; it cannot be
expected tliat Caraquet herrings, excellent as they are wlien first
taken from the water, should possess any flavour when salted, or.
have any commercial value.

The manner in which these herrings are treated, is almost an
absolute waste of the bounties of Providence.

Grande Ance.

On leaving Caraquet Bay, and rounding Point Mizzinette, to
proceed up the Bay of Chalenr, the shores are found to consist of
grey sand-stone, rising abruptly Ironi the water, with but few and
narrow beaches. Thus the shores continue to Grand Ance, which
is a long narrow beach in a slight indentation of the coast. There
were there thirty boats engaged in fishing here last August, with
two men each. The fishing ground is directly in front of Grand
Ance, within three niiles of the shore ; and the average catch of
these boats is from 70 to 80 quintals each during the season.

There were several persons here taking in fish from the resident
fishermen. The principal of these was Mr. Alexandre, son of
Captain Joshna Alexandre, of Shippagan and Jersey.

The rates allowed the fishermen last seas^on were as follows : —
for green cod, fresh from the knife, ten shillings for 300 lbs. ; for
ling and haddock, five shillings for 300 lbs. These rates were
paid in goods and supplies, at fishermen's prices.

Six or seven American schooners had been cruising off Grande
Ance in the earlier part of the season, mackerel fishing ; they had
all taken full fares and left the coast. They frequently came in
close to the shore. While they were using their peculiar mode of
fishing, the cod fishers could not procure any mackerel for bait,
and their fishing suffered in consequence, there being no clams
here. The Americans having left, the fishers were fitting up
mackerel nets for use : these were 20 fathoms long and 3 fathoms
deep, with a mesh of 3 inches. It was said tiiat nets 5 fathoms
deep were better than those of 3 fathoms.

This cove is greatly exposed to almost every wind from the
northward, when a heavy sea comes in on the beach. At such
times tl»e boats are beached, and hauled up above high water mark
by men and horses, the shore being somewhat steep. A break-
water and landing pier at this place would be of essential service
to the fisherfnen, and greatly advance the fisheries.

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45

Teague's Brook.

From Grande Ance to Teague's Brook the coast consists of a
range of sand-stone cliflFs, rising nearly perpendicular from the
water to the height of eighty and one hundred feet, and even more.
There are two or three small ooves or indents in the cliffs at Poke-
shaw, where boats may land, but these landing places are not safe
with the wind on shore. At Teague's Brook, (between which and
Bathurst Harbour lies. Salmon Beach,) the shore is less elevated,
and slopes gradually back 'from the water. There is no harbour
or shelter even for boats along this line of coast, and a breakwater
and landing place at Teague's Brook would make a good fishing
station there, and be of great service to the farmers on the coast,
by giving facilities for shipping agricull'ural produce, which they
now greatly need.

Petit liocher.

This settlement is on the Bay of Chaleur, about 12 miles beyond
Bathurst Harbour, and on the whole of the long line of coast from
Grande Ance to this Point there is not a single fishing station.
This is chiefly owing to the mural cliffs which border a large portion
of the coast, and to the absence of landing places and boat harbours
which would afford shelter in stormy weather. Much good fishing
is here neglected and almost entirely lost, no measures having been
taken to create those facilities, and give that shelter from the
storm which nature has provided elsewhere for the hardy fisherman.
It is true that there is good shelter at Bathurst Harbour, but it has
not been found a convenient station for prosecuting the fisheries.
At Petit Rocher there is a neat fishing station belonging to Mr.
John Woolner, of Bathurst, who calls his place " Point Medisco,"
that being the name it bears on the ancient charts.

On this line of coasts (from Bathurst to Green Point,) there are
forty fishing boats, with two men each ; the average catch of these
boats is from 25 to 30 quintals of cod, haddock, and ling, during
the season.

The prices allowed the fishermen here were the same as at
Grande Ance, that is, lOs. for 300 lbs. of green cod, and 5s. for
the same quantity of haddock and ling. Tiie fish are much smaller
herfr than' farther down the Bay, and are not so firm. Mr. Woolner
said he found that 300 lbs. of green fish here would not make a
t[uintal of dry fish, as could be done at (Grande Ance, owing to the
<3od and other fish being less firm.

Mr. Woolner has a small but very complete establishment for
putting up lobsters, in tin cases hermetically sealed. He had
during the season thus put up 2000 lbs. in tins, a much less quan-
tity than usual, owing to the cholera having cut off the market.

He purchases from the settlers the white part of the lobsters,
boiled and free from shiell, at two pence half penny per pound,
which is salted in plain pickle> apd packed in barrels fur sale at
Quebec. Of salted lobsters, Mri Woolner put up eleven thousand
pounds during the season.

Several American vessels had been Seen mackerel fishing off
Point Medisco during the season, but with what success had not
been Asc^tained. ■ >,

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For several years no capelin have been seen on this side of the
Bay of Chaleiir above Grande Ance. Formerly, they were exten-
sively used for manure, but they cannot now be had even for that
base purpose, the run of the capelin having been completely
broken up.

Herrings, which were formerly abundant, have fallen off greatly
in numbers on this coast. Mr. Woolner stated that, just outside
Bathurst Harbour, there was a beach where the herrings were
accustomed to deposit their spawa in immense quantities, and the
place was thence called *' Herring Spawn Beach." He has seen
tlie spawn thrown up on this beach by the surf in long thick rolls,
or masses, which were carted away by the neighbouring farmers,
and used as top-dressing for their fields! As a matter of course,
this shameful proceeding destroyed the herring fishing at that
place completely, and injured it all along the coast.

Green Point.

The wind being ahead and blowing fresh, the writer rested at
this point a few hours, and during his stay went out to the fishing
ground, about three miles distant, in a fishing boat, with three
Frenchmen, a father and two sons ; the boat was a good one, built
of cedar, about 23 feet long, with two sprit-sails. « The fishing was
in ten fathoms water, and there was considerable sea on. The
fishing lines were greatly worn, and the hooks were rusty, very
blunt, and ill shaped. There was not a spare hook in the boat ;
and when a hook was lost, the line to which it had been attached
was rendered useless there being none to replace it. The bait
used was clam somewhat stale. Yet under all these disadvan-
tages, sixty fine cod and haddock were taken in two honuj, by
which time the wind and sea had arisen so much, that further
fishing had to be given up. This case is mentioned, as an instance
which came accidently under the writer's own observation, of the
imperfect and careless manner in which the fishing boats are
equipped. There is reason to believe that many of the boats of
the Bay of Chaleur go out equally unprovided, and that insufficient
and unfit hooks, lines, and bait, tend greatly to depreciate and
render unprofitable the labours of the fishermen, who pay little
attention to what they generally consider trifles.

While fishing off Green Point a number of black porpoises were
rolling about, and sometimes came very near to the boat. One
large ling was caught — these fish are not commonly taken in the
day time, the fishing for them being generally during the night.
Where boats go off from the land and anchor, the boy (and some-
times a very small one,) is left to keep watch while the fishermen
sleep ; and he employs himself during the night in hauling up huge
ling, of which he has a certain share as his proportion of the catch.

Heron Island,

There -is excellent herring fishing around this Island, but the
best stations are between the Island and the main land, the distance
across being about two miles. A part of this Island only is granted,
but the lots already granted %re said to cover all the best beaches,

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Within the Ou(f of Saint Lawrence'

47

and leave no fislnng stations at the pablic disposal, which is much
to be regretted.

Mr. Harvey, who keeps an inn a short distance above Nash's
Creek, stated that fall herring were taken about Heron Island,
abundantly ; that no shad, basse, or gaspereaux, were taken in this-
part of the Bay ; that few capelin were seen ; but lobsters and sea
trout were abundant. Mr. Harvey was very anxious that the
Americans should be allowed to lane) on this coast, and prosecute
the fisheries, as they would teach the young men the latest and
most' approved modes of fishing, from ignorance of whicli they
could not at present follow fishing profitably — and he desired that
his wishes should be male known.

Dalhousie.

It was stated by Dugald Siewart, Esquire, the Deputy Treasurer
at this place, that the emigrants from the Isle of Arran, who are
settled along the coast of the Bay of Chalenr, in the Parishes of
Durham and Colborne, have tried the long line, or bultow fishing,
with great success. This mods of fishing is exceedingly well
adapted for those settlers, as they can thus procure a supply of fish,
and a surplus for sale, with but little interruption to the labour on
their farms.

When these emigrants first settled on this coast they were very
destitute, but they now own excellent farms which produce lar^ge
crops, especially of wheat and oats. They have not only attained
to independence and comfort, but many of them are becoming
quite wealthy.

YiV. Stewart mentioned the case of a school master on this coast,
named M'Allister, (a lame man,, who taught school during the
day, and employed his evening hours in knitting nets. He fished
for herrings in the spring and autumn, at which periods there
are school vacations for seed time and harvest. By pursuing this
industrious course, in four seasons he earned suflicient to purchase
a farm at the price of three hundred pounds, upon which he is now
settled, and is quite independent.

There was a good supply of capelin in Dalhousie Harbour the
past season, as tliere is generally every season. It was stated by
the Honorable Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Stewart, that they are
still used as manure, but not to the same extent as formerly.
Mackerel frequently enter the Restigouche River, and ascend some
distance ; occasionally they are caught at Esquiminac Bay, ebout
five miles above Dalhousie. Mr. Stewart stated, that no American
fishing vessel had ever come so far up the Bay as Daliiousie ; he
is of opinion, that allowing American nshermen to establish fishing
stations on the coast would be advantageous, especially in teaching
the residents how to fish.

There is no fishing station, or any cod fishing prosecuted at
Dalhousie.

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Report on Sea and River Fisheries

DISTRICT OF GASPE.

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Tracadegash.

Between Maguaciia Point, at the entrance of the Restigouche,
on its lorthern side-, and Tracadegash Point, on the Gaspe shore,
a distance of about fifteen miles, is Carleton Bay, which is well
sheltered, witli eight fathoms water, muddy bottom, and good
holding ground. Ordinary tides in this Bay rise and fall eight feet,
spring tides ten feet. At full and change of the moon, it is high
water at thiee o'clock.

Mr. Joseph Marr, the Postmaster at Tracadegash, stated that
the cod fishery was formerly prosecuted extenaiv.'ly in Carleton
Bay, from the beac'v hut it has fallen off very greatly. The
buildings tormorly occupied as "fishing rooms" yet standing, are
now deserted, while of others the foundations only are seen. Large
quantities of capelin were accuitoraed to strike in here, but tliey
were used extensively for manure, and but few are, now taken.
Immense quantities of herrings were also used on this coast for
manure, but this has been prevented during the last four years, by
an order of the Municipal Council of this division of the County of
Bonaventure.

There are not so many cod now in the upper part of the Bay of
Chaleur, (above Bonaventure,) as formerly, but more haddock.

Mackerel of the finest quality were taken oflf Tracadegash Point
fluring the past season, but only in small quantities, from want of
the requisite skill and outfit. Mr. Marr was of opinion that 20,000
barrels of macherel might have been taken during the season, in
Carleton Bay, by those who understood the fishery. . The herring
fi&hing commences hereon the 20th August and ends the 20th Sep-
tember ; the fish are taken almost at the doors of the inhabitants.
This herring fishery could be prosecuted much more extensively
than at present, if under proper regulations.

Large numbc " of white porpoise were seen in the Bay of Chaleur
the past season, which was an unusual occurrence, none having
been seen there for thirty years previously. There presence was
supposed to have had an injurious effect upon the salmon fisheries
of the Bay generally, as the white porpoise destroys great numbers
of salmon, chases them in all directions, and breaks up their
" schulls." These fish are quite common in the River Saint Law-
rence, where they are taken sometimes of the length of 18 feet, in
weirs set up for the purpose. They yield much oil of fin« quality ;
their skins are dressed for traces, and the Canadian mail bags are
made of them. Mr. Marr exlnbit^d some of these bags, which
were very white, thick, and soft; they stand much chafing, and
effectually resist the wet. ^ . ~

Mr. Marr stated, that the^ merican fishing vessels which fre-
quent this Bay are in the habit of trading at Port Daniel ; that
they injure the cod ^.ihjng by throwing over the bones and offal of
the fish they take ; and thb. it would be better to allow them to
land, for the purpose of cleaning and curing their fish, as they would
then do less injury to the fisheries. The Jersey houses on the
coast, he said, discouraged the herring fishery, and all other
fisheries, except that for cod. ,,

Within ihe Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

49

Mr. Marr had driven across the Bay of Chaleur, on the ice, from
"Chis place to Heron Island, a distance of 9 miles, and crossing that
Island, had again driven, on the ice, across tlie strait, 2 miles wide,
tvhich separates the Island from tl\e main, and landed at New Mills,
on the New Branswick slrare. Mr. Marr exhibited a specimen of
auriferoHs sand, from the bed of a brook on the New Brunswick
sid« of the Bay, in which the graias of gold were very minute, but
apparently very pwrfr.

Mf. Edward Mann, who resides at Tracadegash, wag prosecuting
the herring fishing while ihe writer was there, in SeptenibeN
Mr. Mann is a person of much intelligence «nd information, and
he cnrred his herrings in a proper manner. 'Immediately on being
caught the head of each £sh wa8<;at off, which allowed all the blood
to escape-; tliey were then gutted, cleaned, and salted at tmce.
These fish were very firm, admirably white and delicate, and
possessed a £ne flavour. All the fish which Mr. Mann would thus
put up during the season, were engaged at £1 7 6 per barrel, thus
affording the most convincing proof that attention to curing alone,
was quite sufHcient to ensure a maarket, and a high price, for tliese
herrings. They were when cairght precisely the same as the
Caraquet herrings, which, from ciurelessness and mismanagement,
are without value.

Mr. Mann's herring neft had a mesh of two and a quarter inches,
and his mackerel nets a mesh of three inches ; with thick tvrine
the mesh requires to be a little larger. These nets were one>hundred
meslies dee-p ; but the imported nets, which are one hundred and
sixty meshes in depth, are considered the best for fall herrings.

While Ute writer was at Tracadegash a fishing schooner arrived
from Labrador, having on board three hundred quintals of dry cod,
and one hundred barrels of herring. This schooner was intended
to return immediately to Labrador to bring back another cargo
which had been left there, the fishing having been unusually sue-
<:essful on that coast during the past season, many vessels, as i«
this case, haviug made double fares.

Sonaventare Harbont.

Dn the "beach at this place Messieurs George and Ferdinand
Boissonault, natives of Canada, have a neat store and fishing
establishment ; and the Jersey houses have buildings for receiving
and Coring dry fish.

The Messieurs BoissonaMVt stated that there were about one
hundred and twenty boats, with two men each, engaged in the cod
fishery, en the coast between Tracadegash and Bonaventure ; and
that the catch of these boats wouM average one hundred quintals
of dryand pickled fish, each, during the season. Not many capelin
are now seen at this place, owing to their having been formerly
used largely as manure. Several thousand barrels of herring are
yet used annually at this settlement for tlie like purpose, and in
consequen ie the cod fishing has gretitiy feUeti off at this place ;
fishermen who formerly caught three hundred quintals of fish
tdurtng the season, now only ge one hundred quintals.

Several American vessels were off this place during the seasoR)

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Heport on Sea and River Fisheries

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and obtained full fares of mackerel ; they injured the cod fishing
materially by depriving the fishers of their bait.

Messieurs Boissonault strongly advocate the appointment of a
Government Inspector, to inspect and brand all fish ; as well to
give character to the article as to prevent the gross frauds some-
times practised. They mentioned the fact of barrels of fish being
sold as containing mackerel, the ends of wliich only contained
that fish, the centre part of each barrel being filled with herring.

The entrance to Bonuventure Harbour is between two long
narrow bars of gravel, one extending from a high bank or the south
side, and the oilier from the flat on the north, upon which stands
the village of Bonaventure. Titere is sufficient depth of water in
the gully to admit vessels of two hundred tons at high water.
Inside the gully there is an extensive basin, and vessels lie directly
against the gravel bank, with three fathoms at low water. The
Bonaventure River is about sixty miles in length ; it is called by
the Indians the •' Wagamet" or "^ Clear Water," from the exceed-
ing purity and brilliancy of its waters. There are but few salmon
in this river, or fish of any description, whrdi is supposed to arise
from the very extraordinary clearness of its waters ; and this
absence of fish in the Bonaventure distinguishes it from every
other river in the Bay of Chaleur. It may be said to be, " the
exception which proves the rule."

Large quantities of sea trout enter the basin of Bonaventure
from the Bay of Chaleur with every flood tide, and go out again
with the ebb ; these fish have been designated " tide trout."
They are of large size, and are readily taken by fly fishers from
the sides of the gully, jnst as the flood tide begins to make. The
sportsman, standing on the bar, amid kelp and sea weed, may here
have excellent sport for about an hour each tide, until driven off
by the advancing waves. He may then follow the fish up to the
basin, taking them at every cast, and perhaps conclude the fishing
for that tide under the stern, or alongside, some large vessel loading
in the basin, Again, on the ebb tide there is good fishing for a
short time, but it is more difficult then to hit off the fish, as they
all appear to move out to sea in a body. The writer tried this
fishing snccessfully on the I8th September ; the fish were brilliantly
white, and in fine condition, very firm and well flavoured. It was
stat*^d by an «>ld fl]- fisher from England, who lives at Bonaventure
Beach, that, in the early part of the season, he took many of these
fine fish of the weight of three pounds and upwards. It is said
that salmon had been occasionally taken at this place with rod and
line, while fishing for tide trout>

Paspebiac.

This place is sixty miles from Dalhousie, and derives its name
from an Indian word signifying "The Great Landing." This
landing is a long, curved, gravel spit, which stretches out into the
Bay of Chaleur nearly three miles, forming on one side a tolerable
harbour, and nearly enclosing between it and the main land, a
barrachois or lagoon, very convenient as a shelter for fishing
boats and sliallops.

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

51

On the beach at Paspebiac, is situate the depot of the wealthy
and well known firm of Charles Robin and Co,, of Jersey, which
was first established here in 1768, by the late Charles Robin, the
founder of the firm, and has since gradually increased to its present
extent. This excellent establishment comprises a great number of
well finished buildings, stores, warehouses, forges, sail lofts, and
workshops for every variety of purpose connected with the business,
all kept in the neatest possible order. Each building of the estab-
lishment i§ numbered or lettered, and appropriated to a specific
purpose ; on no account is it permitted to be used for any other.
An extensive stock of valuable goods is kept here ; aud a neat
battery of six-pounders is always in good order, and ready for instant
use, to protect the establishment. There is a ship yard here, at
which the firm have always built one vessel annually, for more
than half a century, and from the care taken in selecting the tim-
ber, and in building, these vessels have become noted for their
extraordinary durability.

Every spring, a whole fleet of ships and brigantines belonging
to the firm, arrive at Paspebiac from Jersey, with double crews,
and all the necessary stores for the season. These vessels are
moored in front of the beach, their sails are unbent and stored,
their topmasts and yards are struck and housed. The whole of
the vessels are placed in charge of one master and crew, who take
care of them dnring the summer, and issue the salt, with which
they are ballasted, as it is required. The rest of the masters and
crews are dispatched in boats and shallops to various parts of the
Bay to fish, and collect fish from those who deal with the firm.
When the fishing season is over, these vessels depart with cargoes
for the West Indies and Brazil, but more frequently to the Medi-
terranean— to the Ports of Messina and Naples. Their disposing
of their cargoes, they thence take fruit or other freight to England ;
and fitting out again at St. Kellers, in Jersey, where the heads of
the firm reside, they return to Paspebiac in the spring, to resume
the business of the season.

The admirable plan of systematic arrangement at this establish-
ment, the great characteristics of which are, ceaseless industry,
frugality, and caution — and especially the strict enforcement of the
rule, that no person shall be retained about the businsss who cannot
be profitably employed — have long secured it the most solid pros-
perity, and enabled the intelligent and enterprising founder of the
firm, to bequeath to his family a great amount of wealth.

On the same beach, adjoining the establishment of Robin & Co.,
is that of LeBoutillier Brothers, of Jersey, which, though not so
extensive as the other, is well and neatly arranged, and kept in
excellent order. The three brothers LeBoutillier were trained by
the house of Robin & Co., and conduct the fishing business in the
same systematic manner as that house, trading to the same ports,
and with equal success and profit, but on a less extensive scale.
Their whole export of dried fish for the year 1 849, was expected
to fall little short of 20,000 quintals.

Mr. LaPerelle, the chief agent of the establishment of Robin
and Co., stated that their house would export from 40,000 to 45,000

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Report on Sea and River Fisheries

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quintals of dried cod, in the season of 1849, to the Brazils, and
Mediterranean ports. I'he fish for the Brazils are packed in large
flat tubs, called " drums," into which they are pressed by a powerful
screw. Each drum contains exactly 1281b of dry fish, that being
the Portuguese quintal ; and the drums are shaped to suit the con-
venience of the Brazilians, who transport them into the interior of
■South America, slung in pairs upon mules. For the Mediterranean
markets, the fish are stowed in the holds of the vessels, in bulk,
and seldom receive damage, such is the excellent manner in which
they are cured and stowed. The best and whitest of the cod are
required for the Neapolitan market, for even the lazzaroni of
Naples are very particular as to the quality of their fish.

Mr. LaPerelle said, that capelin struck in abundantly at Pas-
pebiac the past season, and were used largely as manure. Herring
do not come in here, in sufficient numbers to be used for that pur-
pose. At one time during the past summer, there were five
American schooners at anchor, about a mile from Messrs. Robins'
establishment. They fished at the distance of three miles from the
point of the beach, for mackerel, and obtained full fares ; some of
the vessels had nine hundred barrels; while they were fishing they
destroyed the shore fishery for cod, as the fishers could not catch a
sufficiency of mackerel for bait.

Among the standing orders of the house of Robin & Co. for the
regulation of their fishermen, is one, that they shall not split or
clean their fish on the fishing grounds, but always bring them to
the shore before performing these operations. The people in their
own employ are obliged to comply with this order strictly, and
they endeavour to induce all others to be guided by it. They con-
ceive it very injurious to the fisheries to throw bones and oflfal
among the fish, and the opinion of the firm on this point, from
their long experience and knowledge of the subject, must be
deemed quite conclusive.

General Summary and Observations.

The number of boats and men engaged in the sea fisheries, and
the quantities of dried fish caught and cured in 1849, in the dis-
trict north of the Miramichi, may be thus summed up : —

Locality.

Number

of
Boats.

Number

of

Men.

Number

of

Boys.

Estimated

catch
in quintals.

Portage Island

Tabusintao Gaily, .. ..

Tracady

Shippagan, .. .. ..

Point Miscoo,

Caraqnet

Grande Ance,

Petit Rocher

33

J9
10
60
40
200
30
40

80

57
30

120
80

400
60
80

20

• •

• •

60
150

• •

23

900

500

200

6,000

3,000

10,000

2.250

1,200

Totals

432

907

250

24,050

All the men engaged in this fishery are also part farmers ; they
cultivate some portion of land wherever they reside on the coast.

r

^m

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

53

Of the quantity of dried fish above stated, it is estimated that
15,000 quintals were cod, and the rest haddock and ling.

Tiie ling is a fish known in the Bay of Fundy by the name of
*' hake." In tlie Gulf this fish is taken of very large size, espe-
cially by fishing during the night. In appearance it corresponds
precisely with the drawing in Mr. Yarrel's admirable work on
British Fishes, (vol. 2, page 289,) and its description is the same
as there given of the forked hake ; or 'phycis furcatus of Cuvier.
Owing to the length, breadth, and thickness of the ling when split,
they are, at the best " rooms," dried on large flakes, raised about
eight feet from the ground, which have a greater circulation of air
underneath. The cod of larger size are also dried on these flakes.

Of the quantity of fall herring taken on this coast, it is quite
impossible to give any estimate which may be relied upon as accu-
rate. The principal fishing ground is at Caraquet, and the whole
quantity taken there in 1849, would probably amount to two thou-
sand barrels, or perhaps exceed that quantity. The catch at other
localities along the coast, would, perhaps, amount to one thousand
barrels more.

The quantity of mackerel caught and cured, is so small as
scarcely to be ttken into ascount, in giving an estimate of these
fisheries. It was said that mackerel had at times been imported
from Arichat for the use of the inhabitants on this coast, near
which thousands of barrels, of the same fish, are annually caught
by fishing vessels from Maine and Massachusetts.

The cod, haddock, and ling, are cured by the Jersey houses in
the most perfect manner; nothing can be finer than their best
quality of dried cod, when ready for shipment. By long practice,
and close attention to their business, the Jersey curers have become
exceedingly expert and skilful ; they are fully competent to give
instruction to others, and are admirable teachers. The suggestions
<)f Mr. Doran, of Shippagan, (in his letter annexed,) that some of
the young men of this Province should enter the Jersey establish-
ments, to learn practically this important part of the fishery
business, as also the mode of conducting it generally, is well
worthy of consideration.

Some of the gentlemen connected with the Jersey fishing estab-
lishments in the County of (Trloucester, complained bitterly of the
heavy Provincial Duties on many articles imported for the use of
the fisheries. It was said tliat these duties were very burth.;nsome
to the fishermen, who obtained no greater price for their fish than
heretofore ; but were, in 'consequence of the increased duties,
obliged to pay much higher prices for their supplies than formerly.

With a view to ascertain the amount of duties collected at the
Port of Shippagan, which includes Miscou and Shippagan Islands,
Tracady, Caraquet, Grand Ance, and all the fishing " rooms" in
that quarter, reference has been made to the Province Treasurer,
and the following appears as the return of all articles imported
into this district, which paid specific duties in the year 1849: —

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54

Report on Sea and River Fisheries

None.

Meats, (salted,)

20,400 lbs.

11

Soap,

1,814 lbs.

112 gals.

Lard,

40 lbs.

None.

Butter,

2^66 lbs.

ti

Cheese,

None.

i<

Candles,

362 lbs.

2,605 gals.

Leather,

380 lbs.

9| cwt.

Skins,

2 doz.

None.

Cattle,

1

it

Horses,

None.

422 lbs.

Clocks,

<(

332 lbs.

Coals,

45 tons.

4,803 lbs.

Apples,

60 bush.

None.

Wheat Flonr,

1,644 bar.

Brandy,

Wine,

Spirits,

' emon Syrup,

Malt Liquor,

Cider,

Alolasses,

Brown Sugar,

Loaf Sojfar,

Crushed Sug^ar,

Tea,

Coffee,

Tobacco,

Dried Fruits,

Fish,

The specific dnties on the foregoing articles, with the ad-valorem
duties on all other dutiable articles imported, amounted in the
whole to £5\Q 2s. 6d., which was the whole amount of Provincial
duties collected for the Port and District of Shippagan, during the
year 1849.

When it is taken into consideration, that articles for the use of
the lumbering and mill establishments, and for consumption by
the agricultural portion of the population in that district, pay a
considerable proportion of the dnties there collected, the residue
would not seem to be of such an amount as to fall heavily on
the fishers, unless the articles for then use paid duty in some other
part of the Province.

The Sub-Collector at Caraquet, gave it as his opinion, that
there was very little smuggling on this coast. The writer's opinion
is somewhat diflferent.

THE DISTRICT SOUTH OF THE MIRAMICHI.

In entering upon a desctiption of the fisheries of this part of the
Gulf Coast of New Brunswick, it is necessary to premise, that no
fishing " rooms" have yet been established south of the Miramichi ;
that the sea fisheries are carried on by the settlers upon the coast,
who fish to such an extent, and in such a manner, as suits their
means, or their convenience ; that the quantities they take are
frequently only sufficient for their own families ; and that but few
of tiiem cure fish for sale.

The Coast from Bay Du Vin to Richibucto Head.

On the whole line of this coast, spring herrings are abundant,
but they are only taken by the settlers for their own use; and
there is reason to believe that many are used for manure. There
is excellent cod fishing outside Fox Island, and off Point Escumi-
nac, as has already been mentioned. From Point Escuminac to
Point Sapin on the Gulf Shore, the land is a miserable sunken
tract, almost unitihabited, and there is no good harbour even for
boats. From Point Sapin a3ross the Straits of Northumberland,
to the west Cape of Prince Edward Island, there is good fishing
both for cod and mackerel, and this ground is a favourite resort for
American fishing vessels, many of whom obtain full fares here
every season. From Fox Island in Miramichi Bay to Richibucto,

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

55

s&lmonare caught all along the coast, there being nets at almost
every lot. TJiere were about 200 barrels of salmon taken from
Kouchibouguac beaches to Richibucto Head, during the season of
1849 ; these were all caught outside, by sea fishing, as it may be
termed. There is no regulation for this fishery ; the season is from
the 1st June to 15th August, after which the salmon are supposed
to enter tho .rivers, as no more are taken on the coast. These
salmon sell .at Richibucto for £2 lOs. per barrel, payable in cash.

On this line of coast, the fall herring are abundant, but only a
few are taken at the Kouchibouguac beaches by the salmon fishers ;
they caught about 200 barrels the past season. It was stated as
a reason why so small a quantity was takea, that this fishery occurs
at the season when tlie settlers are engaged in making their Marsh
i»ay, and that they have not time to attend to it,

Thomas Powell, Esquire, of Richibucto, stated, that he has been
fifty eight years settled at Richibucto, and that he was 13 years
t>f age -when he first came with his father from Grimross, on the
Saint John, to reside there. At t'uat time there was not a white
settler on the wjiole coast,* from Shediac to Bay du Vin.

Mr. Powell thinks there is no cod .fishing, properly so called, in
tlie Straits of Northumberland, south of Richibucto Head, but north
of a line drawn from that head to the west Cape of Prince Edward
Inland, iie thinks the fishing very good. The in-shore fishing for
ood is from the first June to 15th August; after that the fish move
off into deep wsiter on the banks. Mr. Powell says, that vessels
-of 35 tons, with crews of five men eacli, might prosecute the fish-
eries from Richibucto profitably, fishing either on the Bradelle
Bank, orat tlie Labrador; tliat if the vessels were larger than 35
^ns, they should be double that size, but these would not be so
profitable as the smaller class. Mr. Powell is clearly of opinion,
that the employment of twenty of these small vessels in the sea
iisheries, would confer more real benefit upon that part of the
Province, than .all the steam saw mills there.

As to mackerel, Mr. Powell said, they were, and always had
tteen abundant on this coast, but there were no preparations for
taking them.; he never knew a mackerel net to be used, but
Hiackercl weiQ occasionally ctiught in the gaspereaux nets.

Mr. Richard Long, pilot at Richibucto, stated that there are
three harbours between Richibucto Head and Point Sapin, for
vessels drawing 8 or 9 feet water, and several good boat harbours
also. He described a small bank, distant about ten miles, east by
north, from Richibucto Head, and in range of Point Sapin, where
cod were abundant, especially in the latter part of the season.
There is seven fathoms water on this bank, and a vessel of 15 or
20 tons might be filled in a week, using lobsters and clams as bait.
Cod only are taken on this bank, and they average from 40 to 50
to the quintal. Cod fishing begins on the 20th May, and lasts as
late as the weather will permit in the autumn. Until the end of
June, large cod may be caught near the shore, but small cod may
be taken close in during the whole season. Mr. Long said, that
during the summer of 1849, mackerel were unusually abundant;
<he waters were alive with them.

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56

Beport on Ska mid River Fisheries

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Mr. Sylvester C. Wathen, a M«rdiaivt of Richibucto, inf6nne<5
the writer, that cod averagirvg seventy to the quintal were abimdant^
throughout *'ie season, at the distance of four miles only from.
the Town of Richibucto ; that tlvere wa» also good cod tishing at
tlie red-buoy, half a mile beyond Richibucto Bar. Early in the
season the French settlers frequently went ont m fiats, or smalt
punts, and caught what cod they wanted, close to the beach.
Haddock and ling were abundant in- fche latter part of tke season —
halibut were scarce — no poWacR: had: ever been seen on this coast.
Mackerel were said to exii^tiu' great plenty ; someoftlie " schuUs'^
entered Richibi>cto Harboor in August last, and went up the river
as far as the bridge, bulnmie were taflert.

Mr. Wathen said, that outside Riclvibucto Harbour, the waters^
were perfectly alive with mackerel every season, from 1 5th July
to 15th September, yet tliere was no mackerel fr^hing. No vessels
were fitted out on this coast for any of the sea fisheries.

David Wark, Esquire, of Richibucto, stated, tJiat good iMung
"^ rooms*' or stations for the shore fishery might be established at
the entrance to the Kouchibouguac and Kwieliibongiiasis l^ivers,
the beaches being favourable, and in his opinion, the fislieries could
be carried on there more profitably than at Newfoundland, because
the fishermen could obtain otiier employment during the winter.

A fisherman from Prince Edward Island*, named Wollf, was met
at Richibucto ; he had been out fishing for five weeks in a smalt
schooner, having on board two men and a boy. Tliey had fished
in 8 to 30 fathoms water, and had caught thirty quintals of cod ;.
the fish averaged one hundred to tlie quintal. Mr. Creel man of
Richibucto, who had been out fishing withi Wolff, said that ou one^
occasion they had taken two hundred jsh in two hours, about 20
miles from Ridnbucto* During the first week in September last^
they boarded three American vessels off tl>e west Cape of Prince
Edward Island. One vessel had then 450 barrels of mackerel,
chiefly No. 2, and was on her second trip ; the other two vessels
had 300 barrels each ; one schooner was from Newburyport, having,
on board four men and fonr boys ; in one day they took 65 barrel*
of mackerel. The skipper of this vessel said, he had fished for
mackerel on the same ground in 1848, and his share of the profits^
that year, was five himdred dollars.

It is to be regretted that the depth of water at the entrance to
the fine harbour of Richibucto, has recently shoaled' to 13^3 feet,
owing to a new channel having broken out to the northward of the
old one, and divided the water. This is a matter which requires-
some inquiry and attention, a» the evil may yet be remedied.

From Riclnbucta Head to Shediac.

Between Richibucto and Buctonche Harbours, the coast is low
with sandy beaches. Chock pish is nearly midway between these
two harbours ; it is small, but is a good harbour ii>t boais^ and the
lesser description of fishing craft.

Buctouche, like all the other harbours on this coast, is a bar
harbour. Owing to some cause not explained, the water has.
gradually deepened on tlie bar, daring the last five years, to the-

■ 1

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrenee.

57

extent of 18 inches. Formerly there was only 12 feet water ; bnt
during the past season, vessels drawing )3i feet have gone over
the bar, not at the highest tides. The I ar is only 60 yards m
breadth ; outside it, there is instantly three fathoms water, gradually
deepening to sea-ward. Inside the bar, there are five, six, and
nine fathoms, up to the loading place at the bridge.

Mr. Peter M'Phelim, of Buctoiiche, stated, that in April, or so
soon as the ice breaks up, the spring herrings are abundant, bnt
that the settlers on the coast only take so many as are necessary
for the use of the settlement. Forn»erly, some of the settlers used
them as manure, but a majority of the inhabitants opposed it, and
succeeded in putting a stop to the practice. After the spring
herring, the gaspereaux come in, and these are fallowed by cod,
which remain in-sliore for about six weeks. During this period^
Mr. M'Phelim has seen the Frenchmen go out in their flats or
canoes, only fifty or sixty fathoms from shore, and fill them with
cod, fishing sometimes in two fathoms water only. Small cod, he
says, may always be taken along the coast from Buctouehe to
Cocagne ; but there is throughout every season good cod fishing
from Buctouehe across to Prince Edward Island.

Mr. M'Phelim says, he has seen every part of the Gulf of Saint
Lawrence, and much of the coast of Newfoundland, and he is quite
certain, that Buctouehe harbour would be found as good a station
for cod fishing as any where in Newfoundland. There are plenty
of clams at the bar ; and vessels frequently come there from the
Bay of Chaleur, to obtain them for bait. There is an extraordi-
nary abundance of lobsters along the whole of this coast.

Mackerel are very abundant off this harbour. Mr. M'Phelim
said, that in the strait between Buctouehe and Prince Edward
Island, the waters at times were perfectly " boiling " with them —
yet none were taken !

On the first day of October last, great quantities of mackerel
entered the harbour of Buctouehe, and went up Big Buctouehe
River ; shoals of them where seen playing about in the basin, above
the bridge — but they all went to sea again — not one was caught !
Cocagne is also a bar harbour ; in ordinary tides their is nine
feet water on the bar at low water, and 14 feet at high water — at
spring tides there is two feet more. Within, there is a fine harbour^
well sheltered, with good anchorage in five fathoms, water.

There are no boats or vessels fitted out at Cocagne for taking
cod, and tliat fishery on the Gulf Coast of New Brtmswick, may
be said to terminate here as its southern limit. It was ascertained
that between Point Sapin and Cocagne, the inhabitants on the
coast employ about forty five fishing boats, of 18 to 25 feet keel»
with two sails, and generally three or four n>en in each boat. The
whole catch of these boats will not probably exceed one thousand
quintals during the season.

The following information as to the fisheries at Cocagne, has been
kindly furnished by William Y. Theal, M.D., who resides there : —

" The flshories, if tbey can be 80 termed, are conducted here iu the w«>rst
possible manner. The herrings appear in and about the harbour immediateljr
on the breaking up of the ice, and could be t&kea is any quantity with suitable'

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58

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Report on Sea and River Fisheries

preparation. The inhahitants generally go out for them in parties of four to
«»jght persons, with « canoe and small net, say from fifty to one hundred feet
long, and four to six feet deep, supported generally by bark lines, with buoyo
to bear it up, end bags of sanci, or stones slang, to sink the lower edge. Yet
even with this rude outfit, they generally catch sufiicieut for their own con-
sumption, and a large quantity to sell fresh.

■" Many waggons from Sackville, Dorchester, Petitcodiac, and other places,
nre loaded here during the fishing season with herrings at two to six pence per
hundred, payable in tobacco at 2s. per pound, tea at 4s. per pound, and small
wares in proportion. In most cases, the herrings are of a poor quality, yet I
have seen them (ully equal to those caught on the Lubradcr coast. The gaspe*
reaux enter the harbour and river a few weeks after, bu^ the mesh of the nets
being made for her;ings only, few of these nre taken ; they are generally fat.
INiackerel are often seen in large shoals, but I cannot learn that there is a
mackerel net ou this part of the coast. They are suuietiuies caught in herring
nets, and are brought for sale fresh.

" Cod were caught a few years since in tolerably large quantities by a few
families, who then had a boat; but ihey disagreed amcrngst themselves, and left
the boat on the beach to j>eriRh. For the last three years no boat has beeti
fitted out here. Occasionally a canoe will put out cod fishing, and do very well.
The lines are very large, of domestic make, with huge pieces of iron to sink
them ; the hooks are enormously large, and also of domestic manufacture.

*' Oysters are here in variety, and more abundant than in any other harbour
on the coast. Those taken up the river are of inferior quality; but those from
the harbour, excel in flavour even those taken from the moNth of James' River
ia the Chesapeake, which are so highly esteemed in the United States. Lob-
sters are so plentiful iu the season, that they can be purchased at the door from
two pence to eight pence per dozen."

The fisheries at Cocagne appear to be in a very primitive state,
but little better tLau whea the Micnjacs were the sole residents
on this coast.

Shediac Harbov Bate Verte.

Of Shediac Harbour it is unnecessary to speak, the recent
Railway Surveys having rendered it well known.

Messrs. James and William Milne, the very intelligent and able
pilots who reside there, stated that there was no cod fishing south
of Cocagne ; that they had never found any cod south of a line
from Buctouche to the west Cape of Pri'nce Edward Island, and
from thence to the eastward of Cape Tormentine. Within these
limits the bottom is a soft blue mud, which is not favourable to cod.

The spring herrings are abundant on this coast, as elsewhere;
they do not enter the harbours, and have not done so within the
last twenty years. No fall herrings are taken, but the Messrs-
Milne are quite sure they are outside Shediac Harbour. They
have seen the herring gulls fishing for them ; and last autumn
they picked up one of the fall herrings, dropped by u gull wliich
tliey frightened.

In July and August Last, mackerel were seen in the harbour, as
far up as Scadouc bridge, but nobody was prepared to take thera,
and some few only were caught in heri'ing nets.

Aboushagan and Tedish are boat harbours, to the eastward of
Shediac, between the entrance to that harbour and Cape Bald.

At Aboushagan there is from four to five feet water on the bar,
with good sand beaches near the entrance. I'cdish bar is dry at
low water ; but there is a fine sand beach, on which boats are
easily drawn up.

:i I:

^1

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence'

59

The harbours of Big and Little Shemogue are between Cape
Bald and Cape Tormentine. Big Shemogue is a good harbour for
boats, and vessels of all sizes, up to 130 tons. There is ten feet
water on the bar at ordinary tides, with a channel about fifty
fathoms wide. The harbour inside is capable of containing one
hundred vessels, with anchorage in 21 fathoms, well shelteri'd.
This would be a very convenient harbour for building small vessels;
there are good situations for ship-yards, where the channel runs
close to the shore. There is capital timber for bhip building in
this vicinity, the woods never having yet been culled ; and it is
singular, that the advantages of this snug little harbour have been
hitherto overlooked. Little Shemogue is about three miles to the
eastward of its larger namesake, with nine feet of water on the
bar, and ten to twelve inside.*

Ofl' the harbours, from Shediac to Cape Tormentine, mackerel
are always in abundance every season ; the inhabitants manage
to take as many as answer their immediate purposes, but they
make no effort to prosecute this valuable fishery.

In Bale Verte, south of Capt^ Tormentine. the cod fishing again
begins ; and ling and haddock are also taken, but not in any
quantity. Spring herrings, and gaspereaux, are very abundant ;
the latter have been taken in large quantities during the month of
June, in the (jfaspereaux River, at the head of this bay, not fur
from the Nova Scotia Boundary.

With reference to the fishery for spring herring. Dr. Guimarin,
who has resided on this coast, states, that he has frequently been
present during the fishing season, and noticed the great want of
boats, of sufficient size, to take the fish from the nets, even when
there was only a moderate breeze. In these cases the fishermen
could not venture to launch their small skiffs or canoes, and the
abundance of fish had often to remain, until they were quite spoiled,
and unfit for use. In moderate weather, they would bring on shore
such abundance of fish, that not having snliicient salt, or vats, or
casks to put them in, they would pile them in stacks on the beach,
and those not sold fresh, would be used to manure the land. Dr.
Guimarin, says, the quantity of herrings thus lost and destroyed
every season, between Richibucto and Cape Bald, would amount
to a small tortune, if they were properly cured and packed in
barrels. He adds, that if the fishermen on this line of coast were
provided with suitable nets and boats — with barrels, which might
be profitably made during the winter, when they are quite idle —
and with sufficient supply of salt, the herring fishery might be
conducted here upon a large scale, and with much profit.

SEA FISH, FISHING, AND FISHING TACKLE.

Besides the fishes mentioned, jQounders are abundant every
where along the northern shores of l^^yv Brunswick, from the
smallest " dab " up to the large *' platessa plana " sometimes two
feet in length. A specimen of the plaice was seen at Miscou ;

* For a description of the Harbours from Shediac to Cape Tormentine, the writer ia
indebted to Phillip Chapman, Etquire, of Shemogue, and Medtrii. Milne, of Shediac.

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Report on Sea and Biver Fisheries

I

and they are supposed to exist more or less abundantly in tlie Bay
of Chaleur. Very little is known of the flat fish of the Gnlf,
the trawl-net not being in nse. This net is greatly used in the
fisheries of the British Channel, where it is called the ground-net,
drag-net, trawl, or trammel, for it is known by all these names.
It is a triangular net, with a mouth from twenty to thirty feet
M'ide, and one foot high ; this is so suspended from, and drawn after
the fishing smack, as to scrape along the ground, and capture
whatever swims within a few inches of the bottom, for the mesh
is so small that few fish escape. All fisli that are marketable are
taken out of the net ; the smaU fry are thrown again into the sea.
By the convention between England and France, relative to the
channel fisheries, it is stipulated that no trawl-net shall^be used of
which the meshes are less than an inch and three quarters from
knot to knot. When Lord Aylmer visited tlie Bay of Chaleur in
1832, in the " Kingfisher," that vessel was provided with a trawl-
net ; among the fish taken by it in the Bay, the plaice is mentioned.
It is said that neither turbot, brill, or sole, exist in the Gulf of
Saint Lawrence; but there can be no certainty of this, until the
trawl-net has been more extensively used.

One species of eel only was noticed on the Gulf coast ; these
nre exceedingly abundant, and frequently of large size. An eel
split, salted, and smoked, was exhibited at Pokemouche ; without
tlie head, it was thirty inches in length, and fifteen inches in breadth,
as split, nearly the size of an ordinary smoked salmon, and quite
as thick. It was taken in Pokemouche Gully with a basse spear.

The pollack, (inerlangus carbonorius of Cuvier,) which u
common in the Bay of Fundy, has not been seen on the Gnlf shore
of the Province ; none of the fishermen there had ever caught one.
The skate, which is abundant in the Bay of Fundy, {raia bntis
of Linnseus,) is net so common in the Gulf ; a single specimen
only, of small si/e, was seen at Miscou.

The only specimen of the shark family found in the Gulf is the
common dog-fish, (spinax acaiUhias of Cuvier,) which at times
is troublesome to the fishermen. This is a viviparous fish, one
which produces its young alive. A female dog-fish opened at
Point Miscou on the 25th of Augnst, contained a number of young
very nearly full formed ; it is therefore probable, that the young
fish are produced at the end of August, or early in September.

Three varieties of herring were observed on this coast—the
spring herring, which appear immediately on the departure of the
ice in the spring— the fall herring, which appear about the 20th
August— and the small fat herring mentioned by Mr. Wilson of
Miscou, which are also found along the shores of Gaspe. The
former belief that a great army of herrings issued annually from
the north, and made the circuit of the seas during the season, is
now completely at an end. It is stated in Cuvier's great work on
fishes, (Histoire Naturelle des Poissons, vol. 20, page 47,) that the
markets of Paris are supplied with herrings from Calais and
Dieppe, and that there is not the least difficulty in distinguishing
the locality from which the herrings are brought, when once known.
Mr. Yarrell, in his work on British fishes, (2d edition, vol. 2,

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page 185,) says " there can be no doubt that tlie herring inhabits
the deep water all around the coast, and only approaches the shores
for the purpose of depositing its spawn within the immediate influ-
ence of the principal agents in virification— increased temperature
and oxygen ; and as soon as that essential operation is efTected,
the shoals that haunt our coast disappear ; but individuals are to
be found, and many are caught throughout the year."

Neither shad or gaspereaux, (now ascertained to belong to the
same family,) are common in the Bay of Chaleur. It is suppoHed
that the water is too clear and cold for them, and the bottom
generally, too rocky ; these fish are known to delight in a soft
muddy bottom, and turbid water.

Among the shell fish not previously noticed, scallops may be
mentioned ; these were found of large size along the coast, between
Tracady and Shippagan. Many sponges beautifully branched like
coral, were also found in the same locality.

Among the products of the fisheries, oil from cods livers must
not be omitted. This important item in the cod fishery is valua-
ble ; the quantity produced from each quintal of cod, is supposed
to pay for the labour of splitting, and the salt used in curing. Of
late, it has been refined and rendered beautifully clear, and in this
state is used for medicinal purposes ; it is prescribed for consump-
tive patients, upon many of whom its eflfects are said to have been
highly beneficial.

At each fishing Etation visited, specimens of the fishing tackle
in use were procured, and it was observed, that the hooks varied
very much in size, shape, and quality. Some of the hooks for
cod, were of the rudest make, so short and ill-shaped, that, but
for the voracity of the fish, they would be of little use. The best
hooks were obtained at Messrs. Alexandre's station' at Shippagan ;
those for ling have a very long shank, and are exceedingly wyll
tempered and finished. The knives at this establishment are also
excellent ; they are manufactured by John Algor, ShefiTield, a>iu
are superior to any others seen on the coast. The mackerel hooks
generally, were much inferior to those made and used by the
Americans; the "jigs" which were attempted to be used by the
resident fishermen, were rude and clumsy afTairs, as compared
with the neat brilliant "jigs " made in Boston. The blue mackerel
line did not appear to be in general use ; white lines were most
common, and those, it is thought by the Americans, frighten the
fish. The snoods to which the mackerel hooks are attached,
should be black, a fathom at least in length, and of less size than
the line. The snood is attached to the end of the blue line, where
the lead is also placed ; and a small round piece of wood, about
nine inches in length, is there required, to prevent the snood from
becoming entangled with the lead.

The fishery with the long-line, or " biiltow," is not practised any
where on the coast visited, except between Bathurst and Dalhousie,
by the settlers from Arran.

The rudeness of the fishing-tackle used by the fishermen of
Cocagne, is described in Dr. Tbeal's letter from that place. The
hooks, nets, and tackle in use throughout the district south of the

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Report on Sea and River Fisheries

Mlraniichi, were found generally to be clumsy and inefficient ;
but for t:ie abundance of fish, and the ease with which they are
taken, there would be but few caught by such unfit and primitive
contrivances.

On the coast of Norway, cod are caught in nets, and it is stated
by Mr. Laing, in his journal of a residence in that country, that
these nets are becoming more in use every season. For this fishery,
every boat is provided with six or eight nets, each twenty fathoms
in length, and thirty meshes deep. The mesh of the cod net is
six inches from knot to knot, and is made of three-ply hemp
thread. The back ropes and ground ropes, of each net, are fas-
tened to the net, and the whole are set like Scotch herring nets,
only with longer buoy-ropes. The cod nets are set at night in
60 to 80 fathoms water, and are taken up in the morning. The
introduction of nets in the cod fisliery, is said to have improved,
very considerably, the condition of the inhabitants of the coast of
Norway, as by means of nets, the quantity of fish caught has been
nearly doubled.

It is not at all unlikely, that cod nets might be used with .advan-
tage on the Gulf coast of the Province, especially in the early part
of each season, when the cod come close to the shores in pursuit
of herring, capelin, and gaspereaux.

THE RIVER FISHERIES.

As the fisheries in the Miramichi River are of much importance,
and involve nearly all the questions connected with the River
Fisheries in this partof New Brunswick, they will be first described*
The rivers to the northward will then be taken up in their order
to the Restigouche ; after which the rivers to the southward of
the Miramich', the fisheries of whicii are of much less importance,
will be described.

The River Miramichi.

The principal fisheries in this river are those for gaspereaux,
basse, and salmon, all which have diniiniGhed* greatly of late years,
owing to the improper manner in which th«y have been conducted.

There are, besides, great quantitips of eels, which are chiefly
taken through ^'ie ice in winter by spearing ; trout, which are
most abundant, and may be taken at all seasons ; smelt, which
ascend this river and its tributaries, in almost miraculous quan-
tities, very early every year.

The gaspereaux enter the Miramichi during the first week in
May, and ascend to their spawning places, which are about the
head of the tide, both on the north west and south west branches
of this river. They spawn very soon after they get up to their
ground, and they go out to sea again in July.

In the North West Miramichi, these fish ascend no higher than
the deep pool at Red Bank, at which place it has been customary
to take them v,'ith a seine. Thin pool at tim< s has been swept so
thoroughly that not a fish has been left, and the gaspereaux fishing,
as such, may be said to have ended on the North West.

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

G3

A very small meshed seine was used for the gaspereaux, which
destroyed great quantities of small fish, especially the young
salmon, trout, and basse. The gaspereaux fishery on the
Mirnmichi was almost a total failure the past season.

The gaspereaux taken in the river are generally tlin and dry,
while those caught outside are very fat, as already mentioned.
John T. Williston, Esq., of Miramichi, who has much experience
in the fisheries, stated his opinion that they are not the same fish ;
he says the outside fish, which are called sunmier gaspereaux,
never enter tlie rivers. Besides their being fatter, they are
smaller and more yellow in colour than the spring fish. It is quite
possible that Mr. Williston is correct, and that the spring and
summer gaspereaux differ, as do the shad which enter the River
Saint John in the spring from those which are cauglit late in the
season in the Bay of Fundy. It may be remarked that Cuvier
in his great wcrk on the Natural History of Fishes, (Histoire
Natiirelle des Poisso?is, vol. 20, p. 416,) classes the gaspereaux
or alewife of North America as of the genus afose or shad, and
designate it falose tyran, after Dr. DeKay, of New York. Con-
sidered as a smaller spe^-cS of shad, the habits of the gasj reaux
may be much more readily understood, and the relative value of
the river and sea varieties better appreciated, by comparison with
those of the spring and fall shad.

Formerly great quantities of basse, some of very large size, were
taken in the Miramichi, but this fishery has also nearly ceased.
These fish in the winter gather in large shoals, and lie in a dull
and half torpid state under the ice ; they are then taken in the
following manner: — A bag net is put upon a bow, or hoop of wood,
six feet in diameter, and this hoop is attached to a pole, twenty
feet in length. A large hole is cut through the ice, at some place,
which the basse are known to frequent, and the net is put down.
The person who uses it, places the end of the pole across iiis chest,
and walks about six times around the hole, sweeping the net about.
It is then drawn up, and the fish removed ; the operation is repeated
until all the basse are taken at that spot. This is done at night
— the darker the night the better. The fish are very stupid, and
easily taken, as they will not stir. The mesh of these basse nets
was formerly four inches, but the size has been diminished as the
fish decreased in numbers, and now the very smallest are taken.
Last winter, great quantities of small basse were thus caught in
the Miramichi, by very fine nets ; an I it is supposed that they are
now nearly exterminated.

The salmon fishery of the Miramichi has long been known for
its extent and value. The first British settler was Mr. William
Davidson, from Scotland, who established himself on the banks of
the Miramichi, in 1764, and for many years after, he caught and
cured from 1400 to 1800 tierces of salmon annually. The fishery
is now so cut up and divided, that it is impossible to say what
quantity of salmon are caught, so many being consumed fresh, or
put up by the persons who take them, for family use ; but at a
rough estimate, the whole quantity does not probably e.\ceed one
thousand barrels.

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The Act 39 Geo. 3, cap. -5, for regulating the fisheries in the
County of Northumberland, prescribes the length of net to be used
in the Miramichi, from the Bay to the head of the tide on each
branch of the River, and provides that no salmon shall be taken
in any manner, between the 30th day of August and the 1st day
-of April following. The Justices in Session, are by the Act
empowered to appoint Overseers of the Fisheries to carry out its
provisions.

There is a wide difference of opinion as to the best mode of
regulating and protecting the salmon fishery of the Miramichi and
its tributaries, between those who catch salmon in the tide-way,
and those who^ take them in the fresh water above. The views
and opinions of the several parties will be given as nearly as they
could be ascertained, it being understood, that all agree as to the
decroase of the fisliery, and the urgent necessity for the adoption
of means to preserve and. protect it.

Donald M-Kay, Esquire, J, P,, of the North West Miramichi,
stated, that the white settlers fish the rivers in all parts unlawfully,
by netting, seining, dragging, spearing, and every other way pos*
sible, up to the very heads of the streams i and that this unlawful
fishing is continued until the close of the season, when the ice
makes. The Overseers do not perform their duty, because they
are not paid for it, and cannot afford to do it gratuitously, neither
do they prosecute for breaches of the laws, as they are bound to do,
because they have often lo pay the costs out of their own pockets
wlien they do. From Beaubair's* Point to the liead of the tide
on the North West, a distance of 14 miles, nets of forty fathoms
in length are allowed. Mr. M'Kay said, these nets overlapped each
other in many places, and in others completely closed the channel.
He is opposed to spearing in the upper parts of the rivers ; but he
thinks it might be permitted during tlie netting season, 'ip to the
liead of the tide ; but above that, all persons should be strictly
prohibited from spearing.

Mr. M'Kay stated as his opinion, that the outside fishing — that
is, the fishing in the Bay and lower part of the Miramichi — is pro-
secuted too largely, and destroys the run of the fish. In 1848 a
great storm damaged and destroyed the nets outside ; the week
following there was an excellent run of fish in the North West.
Instead ol one salmon they took ten in a tide ; but so soon as the
nets outside were repaired, the fishing cetised. Mr. M'Kay is
decidedly of opinion, that the size of the mesh of all salmon nets
should be regulated by law, as the mesh has been greatly diminished
of late years, in order to take grilse, which is very destructive ;
that nothing would protect the fisheries so effectually as the
appointment of proper persons as Overseers — say one in each
Parish, who should be paid.

John T. WilHston, Esquire, J. P., of Chatham, stated, that the
great destruction of salmon takes place from the head of the tide
Upward. The fish are followed to the very heads of the streams,
and there destroyed, among them, grilse of small size, which are

* In the Act this !« designated Beauhebert'i Point, which it probably the correct
orthography.

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Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

G5

taken in great numbers. On tlie 1st of October, Mr. Williston
stated to the writer, tliat during the preceding fortnight, several
canoe loads of "black" salmon salted, had been brought down the
river to a dealer in Chatham ; and that during the preceding week,
a constable reported to him, that one hundred canoes were then
employed in taking salmon in the upper waters of the Miramichi.
Mr. Williston stated his decided opinion, tliat some respectable
person should be appointed to oversee the fisheries of the Miramichi,
whose duty it should be to enforce the laM', and who should be paid.
With reference to the taking of black salmon, or salmon wholly
out of season, the writer can state, that on the 27th of September
last, he ascertained that salmon fishing was carried on, in defiunce
of the law, at Bartibog River, a tributary wliich enters the Mira-
michi, a few miles above Miramichi Bay. They were taken both
by nets and spears ; and the parties wlio used these different modes
quarrelled nightly, and endeavoured to drive each other off the
fishing ground. The fish were very thin and black, many of them
so spent as scarcely to be fit for human food. Large salmon in

this state were sold at 15d. each. In

commg up

the Miramichi

River in his canoe, during the niglit of the 29tli of September, the
writer, just before midnight, passed over two long salmon nets
which were regularly set, although the weather was tlien very cold,
and the night frosty. These nets were set from a high bank or
cliff, about a mile below tlie saw mills of Messieurs Gilmour,
Rankin and Co., in places where they wore not likely to be seen
from the sliore.

Mr. George Parker, of Chatham, stated that during the last
three years large quantities of salmon, out of season, have been
brought down the river to Chatham for sn'e ; that the salmon
fishing during <his period has fallen off vc , greatly, and will fail
altogether if not protected. The Indians a!;d settlers, he said, take
them out of seixson up to the very heads, of the streams, and in
every stream ; imd encouragement is givfn to this wholesale
slaughter of the fi?h by small traders, who purchase them because
they get them at a low price. They are packed with prime fish,
and sent abroad, and the character of the fish is thus destroved in
distant nmrkets.

The illegal salmon fishery of Portage Island, ricntloned in the
former part of this Report, appears to have existed for some time.

The Honorable Mr. Cunard stated that the catch of salmon at
this Island, during the season of 1849. was less than usual. He
also said '■(^t quantities of very small grilse had been taken in
tlie upper o. ■ of the Miramichi during the last season, some of
whicli he had seen. Mr. Siieriff Black stated that one person
at the head of the tide on th'^ South V/est, took twenty barrels of
small grilsfe during the past summer.

Alexander Davidson, Esqviire, J. C. P., (son of the first settler
on the Miramichi,) is well and thoroughly acquainted with the
salmon fishery. He stated nis firm opinion, that the outside fish-
ing is fair fishing: that the mischief is done up the rivers-; that
no salmon should bo taken after the 20tii August on any pretence ;
that the taking of salmon out of season should be punished crimi-

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nally ; and that the overseers of the fisheries should be paidi
officers. He mentioned, that one person on thp Miramichi had
sold grilse to the amount of £80 during the past season, and that
this taking of grilse would soon destroy the salmon fishery. He
thinks the size of the mesh stiould be regulated by law, and that
the mesh for basse should not be less than five mches.

A letter was received from James Lechmere Price, Esquire,
J. P., who resides in the Parish of Ludlow, on the South West
Miramichi, which is so valuable, and so accurate in tt» details, that
it is here given eutire : —

" Ludloiv, 8lh October, lSi9.
'•Sib, — My attention having been directed to your memorandum of the 10th
August last, respect'.i>g the 1 sheries in this part of the Province, I beg to furnish
you with the bi'bjoined obseivations, which relate to the salmon fishery on the
R''.ver Miramichi.

♦' The salmon enter the Bay of Miramichi early in the month of June, and
are generally found in all the considerable tributary streams before the last of that
mouth. In the Bay and other tide waters, they move rapidly in shoak. bat
after reaching the fresh water they separate into small groups, some of which
pass leisurely into each of the tributary streams^ as they present themselves at
short intervals, while other groups occupy, for indefinite periods, favourable
situatJ.in8 in the principle rivers. During the latter part of July, in the month
of Ai gust, a;.d in the early part of the month of September, while the water is
warmest near the surface, they are to be found, from the conflueuce of the tide
to th^ uppermost waters ol the river and its tributaries, occupying in quiet
group.! the deepest waters that the severiii streams aflford, and at all times show-
ing a preference to those places where the purest and coolest water is discharged
by springs into the principal streams. This propensity appears to arise from
the necessity which exists in cold blooded animals, for a low temperature, not
only in the evolution of the ovum after it is ca^t, but also in the previous stages
of gestation. For in the latter pavt of autumn, when the water gradually be-
comes coldest near the surface, they begin to separate in pairs, male and female,
and in the month of November, when the spawning takes place, they occupy
separately, in pairs, small cavities evidently formed by themselves, in the beds
of the streams, near the shores and sand banks, where the water is shallow,
and at the heads of the rapids with which the riv-rs abound. At all seasons,
heavy rain, by suddenly increasing the qnaniity and changing the condition and
circumstances of the water in the rivers — thereby affecting the usual haunts of
the salmon — has invariably the effect of setting them in motion ; and in truth,
it appears not improbable that the flood, occasioned by the melting of the snow,
and by the large quantity of rain which usually falls in the spring, by forcing
into the bay a greater proportion of fresh water, at a time when it is congenial
to the fish, attracts them at the first to enter the river; and that a recurrence
of nearly similar floods, at intervals during the summer and in the fall, produces
the same effect upon those that arriv-e on the coast at a later period. A pro-
gressive deterioration takes place in the salmon from the pviriod of its first
entrance into the fresh water, until it disappears in winter. The quality of the
fish is uot, however, much impaired until the middle of August, and it affords
wholesome and palatable food until the middle of September, — in which latter
month, and in the previous month of August, it is generally preferred for under-
going the preservative process of smoking At this season also, salmon are
commonly found in greater abundance than at any other time. When taken
late in the month of October, the spawn of the female, as well as the sperm of
the male, will escape from them by rough handling; but the female is never
found free from spawn at an earlier period. The ova are then of the size of the
largest pea, the skin of the fish is thick and tough, and the flesh gelatinous and
white ; rendering it altogether so unsightly and so unpalatable, that no neces-
sity, which has heretofore visited the people of this country, has compelled theiu
to use it, to any considerable extent, as an article of food.

" In the Bay, and below the confluence '■f the tide, salmon are tHk<>n partly
by satinets, which are not permitted by the laws to exteud befc^Md « certain

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iportion of the river and estuary; and partly by seiues, and drift or sweep-nets
<»9 they are technically termed, which, while suffered for the purposes of the
herring and ga^pereaux fisheries, cannot be restrained from taking salmon and
grisle at the same time. As regards the aet^nets, it is not unusual for the
owner to procure distinct portions of net, which (after being formed at one end
into a particular trt^ or pound, and l)eing fat«teaed to the part which, suspended
on buoys or pickets, occupies the legal breadth of the river,) are separately ex-
tended down the stream ; furnishing for ordinary occasions, convenient addi-
tional snares ; while another portion, retained in its position by buoys aloae, is
at all favourable hours extended, slightly under water, quite to the opposita
shore. In fact, the indifference with which these mal-practio':s have been
regarded by the legally constituted authorities, has emboldened many, during
the recent scarcity of food, toei^tend their -nets openly from shore tr, shore.

*' A competent law to compel the overseers of fisheries to be sworn into
office, might obviate in some little degree tliese unfair modes of fishing ; but it
would seem that no great reliance can be placed in the efficacy of a class of men,
■who, while pursuing their ordinary and urgent avocations, are not likely to have
much spare time to devote to the purpose of watchinjp, day and night, the ne^s
of their crafty and vigilant neighbours.

*' ITie truth is, that the fish, becomHig more wVly from experience, approach
with greater caution, as they advance op the river, every obstruction that appears
to threaten their safety — and as i« this they are aided bj the increasing clearness
and decreasing depths of the streams, the fisherman is induced to adopt, step by
step, different methods to ensnare them ; and finally, in the upper portion of the
rivers, to resort for the most part to the use of the torch and spear, which, from
tlie dexterity with which practice enables them to be employed, are effective
every where in the clear, rapid water. This latter mode is not however, exempt
from the consequences of floods. When they prevail, the turbid state of the
water renders it impracticable.

*' Tor twenty miles above tTie confluence of the tide, the south west branch,
which is tlie principal branch of the river, partakes largely of the character of
the estuary, in point of depth and opacity of the water, and the fishery, though
to a much more limited extent, is conducted chiefly by similar methods, without
being susceptii'jle however, of quite as many glaring abuses ; the necessity for
frequent intercourse by water communication, added to the limited width of the
stream, and the increased rapidity of the current, rendering some of the ordinary
expedients abortive. The spear is however used with great success in the rapids
on this part of the river.

" From this district to the upper waters of the river, ru^mprlsing a distance of
eighty miles of fishing ground, the shallowness and clearness of the water, the
great velocity of the current, the inequalities in the bed of the stream, and the
change that takes place in the habits of the fish, all render the use of^ set-nets
inexpedient, and owing to the same causes, nets for sweeping and drifting are of
little service, not repaying the expense incurred in preparing them. To illustrate
these positions, it is truly affirmed that a set-net, belonging to this part of the
river, has been left in tha stream, suspended on pickets in the usual way, during
a fortnight of the best periods of fishing, without yielding even one fish. This
incident may perhaps be in part accounted for, by the fact, that during some
seasons, in consequence of the scanty supply of water in the river, which gives
greater facilities to illegal modes of fishing, very few salmon, except grilse, make
their way to this portion of the stream, until after the autumnal rains. It is to be
remarked that the grilse are for the most part milters. The spawners of that age,
as it would seem, do not often enter the fresh water, while on the contrary, the
young mil ters appear to accompany the spawners of ad vanced age in great numbers.

*• In the year 1845, an Act of the Legislature was passed, prohibiting
aUogether the spearing of salmon, except by the Indian tribes. This act was so
manifestly unjust towards the inhabitants of the upper part of the Miramichi
River, wncre fishing with nets is almost impracticable, that nc attempt ha^ been
made to enforce its provisions in that respect. Spearing might, however, with
great propriety, bo ■fricHy prohibited in the month of October ; for in the early
part of that mouth taUttuu SM oometimes speared in considerable numbers, par-
ticularly in that part of the Mir/i«»irhi River which flows through the County of
York, notwithstanding their quality is deeply impaired, and although the near
approach of the season of spawning and of impregnafion forbids their destruction.

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Report on Sea and River Fisheries

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" Abovfc Boicstown, flj'-fishing is prnctii^eJ to a consiilerable extent, by
occasional visitors ; but tliis metbod, from its uncertainty, and from tbe large
portion of time always consumed by it, cannot be jirofitably pursued by the
inhabitants generally.

" Thire are two points on the south west branch of the river, notorious for
the facilities which they afford for illegal fishinpr, and for the recklessness with
which the immediate inhabitants avail themselves of the advantages of their
position : one at Astle's, near the confluence of the tide, and the other at Arbo's^
a short distance above the rnouth of Cain's River, At both these places it is
the common practice to extend nets across the entire river, at every favourable
opportunity ; and in the latter place, to adopt besides, every other known method
of utifair fishing, some of which are indeed peculiar to the parties. To these
unfair practices, so prevalent in the tide waters, and in their vicinity, aided by
the superior natural advantages which the river there affords, is doubtless to be
attributed the fact that the annual catch of salmon is less by more than nine-
tenths, in the npper eighty railea of fishing ground, than it is in the corresponding'
distance below.

'* The erection of dams across the smaller streams, by diminishing the accuse
tcmed scope of the fish, would doubtless have the effect of gradually lessening"-
their numbers ; but tho fisheries on the Rlirnraiclii cannot be supposed to have'
sustained jnuch injury by that means, as the dams heretofore erected, are incon-
siderable, when compared with the vast number ol streams nhieh remain unob-
structed in that way. It is evident, however, that a provision by law to compel
tho construction of fish-ways wherever dams arc erected hereafter, is not unde-
sirable. At the same time it must be confessed, that mills for the manufacture
of lumber, have in one respect, promoted an equal distribution of the benefits
resulting from the fisheries, as the transportation of lumber by water to the
harbour, has contributed not a little towards preventing the use of nets extending;
across the channel.

" When the great increase of occasional fishers upon all the rivers, is taken
into account, it does not appear that tho annual catch of fish has diminished
much during the last twenty years ; certainly it is not decreased to the extent
which many persons suppose. In fact, the quantity taken on the River Mira-
michi and its tributaries, was greater in 1848, than the quantity taken in any
one of the preceding twenty years, while the present year has afforded air-
unusual supply to the fishermen in the bay, and in all the tide waters.

" It has been suggested that a law, confining the salmon fishery to three days
of the week, during the fishing season, would, if rigidly enforced, conduce to »
more equal distribution of the benefits to be derived from it, besides contribut-
ing greatly towards preventing the too rapid destruction of the species. Such
a measure would doubtless be acceptable to many of the inhabitants of th&
rivers, but to the professional fisherman it would be inconvenient, if not highly
injurious.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

.Iamks L. Phicb.
II. M. Perley, Esq,, Gov. Emigration Office, St. John, N. B."^

The following letter from Alexander Davidson, Esquire, of Oak
Point, (ten miles below Chatham,) also contains very valuable-
information and .suggestions ; it is likewise given in full : —

•' Oak Point, Miramichi, Wth October, 1849.

" Sir, — In accordance with the request contained in your circular, I give yoo
below, such information as I am possessed of, relative to tJie bay and river
salmon fishery at this place.

" The bay fishery has been gradually falling off for a number of years, and
laUorly, has become rninou , to many of those engaged in it. Tbe river fish-
ing has fallen off in nearly the same digree, but the expense of river fishings
being loss than in the bay, the consequences of the failure have not been so
Hevtrrt'ly felt. Still, it is felt, in common with the other, both individually, and
uc a source of trade.

" rill' great cause of the failure of the fishery thronghont this river, I attri-
bute to the taking offish at an improper period of the year ; and from the best
informati<m that I can collect, thi" is practised in all the rivers that the salmoo.

[^

WUMn the Gulf of Saint Latcrence.

69

frequent, but more particularly on the sonth west branch of this river, and to
prevent which, appears to be the greatest difficulty to overcome in restoring
the fishery.

" The law at present prescribes the time at which salmon should be taken,
and imposes a fine for any fish caught after that time, — and a fine on persona
purchasing such fish ; — still, they are openly sold and purchased, salted and
exported, as spring- caught salmon, though very inferiin" to such. Those caught
late in the season ar« hardly fit forhumiin food,

" The next thing that I would draw your attention to, is the fishery along
the outiiide of Portage and Fox Islands, at the entrance of this harbour. Your
personal observation would shew you the position of these Islands ; and at the
iiahing season (although contrary to law) the whole of the outside of them is
■studded with nets to the entrance of the harbour, leaving little more than the
ship channel clear. If this abus« is allowed to continue, (evctj should other
matters connected with the up'river abuses be corrected, and the fish partially
■return to the river), the bay fishing will not be worth foilohing, as imme-
-diately on the nets being set at these Islands, the bay and river fishery ceased
to remunerate those engaged in it, and fell off, in proportion to the increase of
the fishery outside ; for the obvious reason, that the fish were prevented from
entering the harbour. These unlawful fisheries outside, have amply remune-
rated the few monopolists ens;aged in them, at the exjwnse of every person who
invested property for the lawful prosecution of the fishery inside.

'♦ To answer the great question — how to remedy these things — is more diffi-
-cult than to point them out. There are local overseers of fisheries appointed
hj the Sessions in each t'arish ; these are useful to confine the nets to the
length prescribed by law, and to regulate other matters among the legal fisher-
men ; "but among the illegal, they are inactive ; and op the branches of the
river, are said lo participate in the catch of fish out of season. The outside
iishermen threaten vengeance if they are meddled with, and continue their ille-
gal course, even on Sundays.

" The laws regulating the fisheries in this County appear to have been framed
with much care, and are well adapted to the bay and river; therefore, it is only
in consequence of the breach ol those laws that the salmon fisliery has beeu
destroyed.

" I have given the subject a good deal of consideration, and the only nay I
think of, to remedy the evil, would be, to have two active persons appointed by
the (loverument, \\\ addition to the overseers appointed by the Si-'ssions, one
for the upper part of the river, and the other for the lower part, including the
bay, and outside, as far as the law regulating the fisheries exten<ls, whose duty
it should be to inform themselves of all in'riiigements of the law, and to prosecute
the offender^!. They might be paid either by the Province, or by a {-aX on the
-ealmon exported.

" I would suppose that £50 each would be ample remuneration. I may add,
that an active man might attend both dirtricts, as the trespassers in the upper
district do not commence their operation^ "ill the bay and outside fishing are
over. ] am, Sir, respeetfnlly,

» Your very obedient servant,

Ax.KXANDF.R DaVII>50N.

Tvl. H. Perley, Esquire, fce &c. Saint John."

From tlie foregoing information as to the fisheries of the Mira-
niichi, the following conclusions may be drawn : —

1st. That although an Act of Assembly was passed in 1835 to
regulate the shad fisiieiy of Northumberland, yet there is now no
such fishery in the Miramichi, nothing being heard of shad.

2d. Timt the gaspereaux fishery, formerly very productive, has
almost ceased, and is now without va' .;e or importance.

3d. That the basse fishery is nearly, if not quite, destroyed.

4th. That the salmon fishery has greatly decreased, and is in a
iair way of being destroyed also.

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Report on Sea and River Fisheries

To preserve what yet remains of these fisheries, and to restore
them if possible, the appointment of paid overseers or inspectors-
would seem to be absolutely necessary. The regulation by law, of
the size of the mesh of the various nets in use, appears also indis-
pensable, to prevent the destruction of small fish and fry.

The questions witlv reference to the regulation of the salmon
fishery are of much importance, and similar questions have been
the subject of much discussion in Ireland. They appear, however,
to have been settled by the fourth Report of the Commissioners of
the Fisheries in Ireland, which was presented to Parliament in 1 845,
an extract from which> ii> relation to tlxe salmon fisheries^ is here
given : —

" With the sanction of Government vre ezteuJ^J oar inquiry to the wRoFe of
Irdand, free of all expense to the parties interested, instead of limiting it to
those cases in which we received applicatious, (ias the terius of the original Act
might be coustrned to require,) because we early fonnd, that such a course wa»
essential for arriving at the whole troth, in order that we miglit be eitabled to
frame such regulations, an should appear most conducive to the public interest.

" We are persnaded that the adjustment of the question, \c order to be useful
and perfect, must be fouuided on uniform principles, be applicable to the whole
country, and be supported by [legislative enactment, rather than by bye laws>

" From a consideration of the weight of evidence given before Parliamentary
Committees for many years : from the Report of Commissioners of Inquiry into
the Irish Salmon Fisheries in 1836: and finally from the evidence collected and
the Report furnished by Messrs. Mulvany and Barry, we are led to indulge a-
hope, that the time is not far distant, when one nuifarm close seasoQ for salmon,
will be applicable by law, both to Great Britain and Ireland, tlvere being no
reason to doubt, but that the habits of the fish are substantially the same iu
both countries.

"To the proposition of a uniform close season for sea and tide-ways, we-
apprehend no well founded objection can be advanced.

" But a slight departure from uniformity in the upper or fresh water portions
of rivers, however apparently calculated to give rise to jealousies, will, we con-
ceive, bo fiEHind, upon investigation, judicious, and, in iact, to be the most
expedient compromise (for such only it mu^t be considered) thai can. be adopted.

" We are strongly impressed with the importance,.uot only to the public, bub
also to the parties locally interested, or possessed of extensive rights, of havings
the rivers fully stocked with a supply of early breeding fish, and of the consequent*
necessity of ceasing from all kiiuls of fishing for salmon, at an early period iu
the autumn.

" Further, we believe, that to opon any part of the mouth of J-annary would-,
on the whole, be attended with more evil than good : and that the few person»
who have heretofore derived advantage therefrom, either under the provisions oi"
the old laws, or by acting contrary to law, will participate largely in the bei)efit»
certain to arise from an improved system, eflfectually carried out, and will be-
amply rewarded for any temporary loss they may sustain in being preventeJ
from fishing in that month. We therefore propose —

" 1st. That in the upper or fresk- water portions of river* throughout Irdand,
there shall be a uniform close season, as regards every mode of fishing for
salmon, from the I5th September to the last day of February inclusrve.

" 2nd. That in the seat and tide- ways there sliall be a «lo«e season from the
1st September to the 31st of January inclusive^

** 3rd. That all net-fi»hing for salmon and trout shall eease in the npper
portions of rivers on the Slst August, and that angling only for fish shall be
permitted until the i5th September.

" Some doubt has been expressed whether angling might not be permitted to
a later period than the 15th September, but, after doe consideration, we are
opposed to any such extension, which would be exceeding, by so much, of the
open period fixed for the greater part of Scotland, by the Act 9 Geo..3r.d^

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

71

*' If in conjanction with a due observance of the limitation above proposed,
suitable migration passes be left, even in what are considered the latest rivers
in Ireland, and if due protection be afforded during the close season, vre confi-
dently predict, that in the course of a very few years, the parties really most
Interested will find, in tlie improvement of the fisheries, that their advantage
has been consulted, in the refiisal to accede to the full extent of thetr demands.

" W« wish further to report, and to impress upon the attention of all parties!
that the rivers are the natural nurseries, not merely for the fisheries within their
banks and at their mouths, but also for the public fiaheries on (he coast ; and
that the limes to be allowed for the fisheries therein, must be regulated by a
consideration of what is best, on the whole, for the public interests."

These opinions, formed after untiring researcli, and witli n.uch
care, are worthy of great consideration in New Brunswick.

It is stated, that in Scotland, no grilse—that is, a salmon of
less than 5H) weight — is allowed to be exposed for sale, and that
the taking of such is prohibited nnd^.r heavy penalties. If all the
calves in New Brunswick were killed at an early age, it is not
likely that, afterwards, there would be many cattle ; and if all the
grilse are taken, it is quite certain that salmon will soon cease to
exist. The capture of grilse under a certain weight, either by
net or spear, should be strictly prohibited.

As to spearing generally, the writer is of opinion that it tends,
more than almost any other mode of fishing, to the destruction of
salmon, as it is most frequently practised while the fish are actually
upon, or very near the spawning beds, in the upper or shallow
parts of the streams, where they ought, on no account, to be dis-
turbed. The Act of 1845 mentioned by Mr. Price, (8 Vic. cap.
71,) should be extended to prevent spearing, by all persons whom-
soever, at any time, or in any place ; and the provisions of the same
Act, with reference to the taking of grilse, require to be rendered
more precise, in order to prevent the utter destruction of the
salmon fishery of the Miramichi.

Of the necessity of legal enactments for the preservation of the
river fisheries, there can be little doub*". Those fish which make
the sea their only element, can scarcely be reduced in numbers, or
extinguished, by any human effort. But it is widely different with
the fish which live in fresh water, or which visit tlie rivers occa-
sionally ; these are confined within narrow limits, and placed
within reach of the avaricious and destructive contrivances of men,
who capture them without even the toils, or the dangers, of tlie
open sea. Hence the necessity ot prohibitory statutes, and above
all, an enforcement of their provisions in an indent manner.

The Tabusintac River.

1 his is a large river, up which the tide flows about fifteen miles.
Formerly many basse and gaspereaux were taken In It, but owing
to the same destructive modesof fishing as in tlie Miramichi, those
fisheries are nearly at an end, very few of either fisli being now
caught.

Salmon also frequented this river formerly, in considerable
numbers, and the upper part of it seems particularly well adapted
for this fish; but it was stated by Roderick M'Leod, Esquire,
who resides near the mouth of the river, that the salmon fishery of
the Tabusintac is not now of much account.

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•Report on Sea and River Fisheries

On the banks of this fine river, there is much land of the best
quality, especially from tlie sea to the bridge on the great road
to Bathurst ; yet the settlements only extend about six miles up,
along the tide-wav. Owing to the upper portion of the river
being in an unsettled and wilderness state, peculiar facilities have
Existed for the wholesale destruction of the salmon, and these have
not been neglected. The writer ascended the Tabusintac from the
sea, in 184', during the month of September, at which season the
salmon fishery ought by law to have ceased. Yet at the head of
the tide, just where the fresh and brackish water mingled, two nets
were found stretched from bank to bank, the one a little above the
other. The smaller fish which escaped the first net, were entangled
in the second ; not a single salmon could pass up. It is not, there-
fore, surprising, that at present, the salmon fishery of the Tabus-
intac should be of little account.

The Traccubf and rokemotiche Rivers.

There are still some gaspereaux and basse in these rivers,
although they diminish annually. It was stated by Mr. James
Young, of Tracady, that he caught 222 barrels of gaspereaux in
these rivers last spring. The whole quantity taken on the Tmcady
River by the French settlers, could not be ascertained ; at Poke-
mouche, the catch of the season was estimated at GOO barrels, half
of which were salted for sale. The gaspereaux enter these rivers
about the first of June.

Mr. Young stated, that the salmon fishery on the Tracady
Kiver was now of no value ; he has tried it without success- On
the Pokemouche River, a few salmon are yet caught, but not of
such large size as formerly. In 1841, the writer was witli a
spearing party on the Pokemouche, when several fine salmon were
taken ; the largest weighed 22 pounds— it was not taken with an
Indian spea.-, but with a Scotch leister. With some attention to
the enforcement of the law, the salmon fishery of the Pokemouche
might yet be rendered valuable. Spearing should be wholly pro-
hibited ; in this case, the writer speaks of the evil effects from his
own knowledge.

In the Tabusintac River, the two Tracady Rivers, a 1 the
Pokemouche River, large trout are most abundant. They ajcend
these rivers, from the Gulf, in the month of June, and they are to
be found about the head of the tide in each, throughout the season,
from 1 pound to 5 pounds in weight. They are sometimes taken
in nets, in large quantities, and salted down in barrels. During
the past season, " tide-trout " were taken in the Pokemouche
Gully by the settlers, with the rod and line ; the fishing was only
at young flood, on each tide, as at Bonaventure, in Gaspe.

The Nepisiguit River.

This river is eighty miles in length, and takes its rise from a
small lake, only three miles distant from the Nictau Lake, at the
head of the Tobique. It discharges into Bathurst Harbour ; and
every season, great numbers of salmon ascend the principal stream,
as far as the grand falls, which are about twenty miles above the

Within the Guff of Saint Lawrence.

73

hend of the tide. The salmon cannot get above these fulls ; they
are high, and the waters are fcrctd, witli great violence, down and
through a deep narrow gorge, offering no facilities for tiie ascent.

From the head of the tide, about two miles above the town of
Pathurst, there is a constant succession of " rough waters," cas-
cades, rapids, and falls, with occasional pools, up to the grand
falls; and in this space, the Nepisiguit has, at many points, much
picturesque beauty.

Owing to the peculiar character of this rivef, it is well adapted
to the sport of lly-fishing, and within a few years, it has become
the resort of fly-fishers from all parts, anxious to enjoy the noble
sport of taken salmon with rod and line. Tlie favourite stations
are, at the Pabineau falls, seven miles from Bathurst, — and, below
the grand falls, fifteen miles farther up ; between these two
points, however, there are several places where the sport may be
lollovved witii success.

It was found, in ascending the Nepisiguit, on the 3rd and 4th
September last, that the river had been fished illegally, from the
liead of the tide to the grand falls, in every possible way, and
that netting and spearing were then going on, although the fish
were becoming " black" and thin.

In the great pool, there were, on the first of September, several
hundred salmon, and many spawning beds were observed, in readi-
ness for receiving spawn. 'The fish in tlie pool could not ascend
the falls, and, owing the low state of the water, they could not
* descend the river ; they were like sheep in a fold. Many of them
had been wounded by thv- spear, and were swimming about in a
crippled condition ; some with part of their tails cut olT, and others
with portions of their ejitrails protruding from wounds in the side.

It was said, that a party consisting of persons settled on the
upper part of the North West Miramichi, wliich is but a few miles
distant, had been engaged in taking salmon at thi:? pool. Two
persons were found there, one named Walsh ; the name of the
other was not ascertained, but he was said to be employed by
Walsh. A n^t was found drying on the shore ; and twenty .salmon,
newly caught ere discovered in a place of concealment, at a
little distant'

The rules ,. orders of the Sessions of Gloucester, for regulating
thn salmon fisln-i / in that Cou.ity, (a copy of which is annexed,)
have been framed with much care, and knowledge of the subject,
and they would probably e P'dficient, if properly enforced ; but, as
at Miramii hi and elsewhere, there Is the same want of paid officers
to enforce th ■ law.

As the destruction of the salmfMi, at the grand falls of the
Nepisiguit, fell » ithin the writer's own observation, he felt it his
duty to address a note to William End, Esquire, the Clerk of the
Peace, stating what had been see* , and calling his attention to the
subject. What ti .»k place thereupon, is stated in the following
letter from Mr. I iid: —

" Clerk's Office, Bnthiirst, Sept. 20. 1849.

'♦ S «, — On receipt of your note, from the fall.s, I thought it my duty to lay
the ver, important iuforuiatiou if contained, before a Special Session o* iia
Miigisf ites.

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Report on Sea and River Fiaherieb

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•' The authorities here, have always been alive to the necessity of preserving^
the salmon fisheries in the Nepisiguit ; bat from want of funds, aod perhaps from
defects in the law, their rules and regulations are either openly violated, or
secretly evaded.

" The lawlecs characte' of the poachers, and the unprincipled conduct of the
inferior store keepers, who readily furnish the supplies and become purchasers
of the fish, are obstacles not easily surmounted, in a country without a police.

«' The Sessions entered, at once, into the spirit of your suggestions, and an
overseer of the fisheries, aided by a small posse, was immediately dispatched.
They proceeded to the places mentioned in your note, and although it waa
evident that vast quantities hnci been carried off, they succeeded in capturing
(I understand) 144 &ahnou in Walsh's cnmp, besides small lots in other places.
So much fur the result of your one visit to the fulls; but I hope that those
suggestions, which your personal observation will enable you to make to the
Government, will be the means of introducing a system, by which this wholesale
destruction of spawning fish, (at a season when they are of little or no value,)
may in future be severely punished or prevented, and this item in the very limit-
ed inventory of our domentic sources of wealth and industry, may be saved
from that destruction by which it now appears to be threatened.
I have the honor to be. Sir,

Your obe lient servant,

William End,
Clerk of the Peace, County Gloucetter.
M. H. Perley, Esquire, &c. &c. &c."

T is vigorous proceeding of the Sessions of Gloucester, shows
clearly what may be done, when eflicient measures are adopted for
preventing illegal fishing.

The trout fishing on the Nepisiguit is exceedingly good, the
trout being of large size, and most abundant ; but this fishing is
generally overlooked, in the anxiety for the more noble sport of
taking salmon with rod and line.

There is no land granted on the Nepisiguit River, farther up
than the Pabineau Stream, six miles from Bathurst, and the salmon
fishery is, therefore, Crown property. It has been suggested, that
this fishery might be leased to some responsible person, who should
be allowed to fish the river, during the proper season only, and
bound to protect it at other times, which would then, in all proba-
bility, be dono effectively. In this way, the fishing could be pre-
served, from the destruction which now threatens it, and rendered
valuable and useful to the public. At present, salmon of all sizes
are destroyed, whenever it is possible to do so, by the Indians, the
French, and the English settlers ; all appear combined to extermi-
nate them if they can, merely from a destructive propensity — for
the fish are either lost for want of salt, or else, so imperfectly cured,
as to sell for a mere trifle. Mr. Herbert, (better known as Frank
Forrester,) in his recent work on " Fish and Fishing in the United
States and the British Provinces of North America," at page 140,
says, — " the wanton and stupid destruction of all kinds of game,
whether feathered, finned, or furred, really appears to be a distinct
characteristic of all the white inhabitants of America, wheresoever
they are to be found ; and it cannot be doubted, that ere long, they
will most bitterly regret the consequences of their rapacity and
wasteful folly."

The leasing of the fisheries, in all the rivers iu the northern part
of the Province, where they yet appertr^in to the Crown, is a
subject worthy of consideration, in every point of view.

!

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
The Rivers between Bathurst and Dalhousie.

15

Between the Nepisiguit and the Restigouche, a number of small
streams empty into the Bay of Chaleur, several of which are
resorted to by salmon, and nearly all, by large trout from the sea.
The principal of these is the Jacquet River, said to take its rise in
a small lake, and to be forty five miles in length. The npper
par,t flows impetuously through a mountainous district ; tlie lower
portion glides swiftly over a gravelly bed — its waters are clear and
brilliant.' Thi» river formerly aboundi^d with salmon ; there are
but few caught in it at present ; and as there are no dams on the
stream, or any obstructio* to ihe free passage of the fish, they have
probably been destroyed, as in the other rivers mentioned. Large
white sea trout, fresh run, were taken in the mixed water, at the
entrance into the Jacquet River, on the 10th of September last.
As tlie lands upon its banks are all ungranted, the fisheries of this
river still belong to the Crown.

At the entrance of the Benjamin River, a dam is built across, to
raise a supply of water for a saw mill ; and there is attached to the
dam, a sluice-way built of planks, sixty feet in length, which has
an inclination of forty five degrees. A number of small salmon
had collected, last summer, in the pool at the foot of this sluice^
way, at a time when, owing to the drought, no water ran over it.
With the first rise of the stream from rain the water passed over
the sluice-way, but less than a foot in depth. The Honorable Mr.
Montgomery stated, that he saw many of these small salmon pass
from the pool, up the sluice-way, making three leaps only, when
they reached the pond above the dam ; he counted a hundred salmon
in one day, which made their way up in this manner, the largest
was not supposed to weigh more than eight pounds.

The Restigouche.

This 7*8 one of the noblest rivers in this part of America. At
its entrance into the Bay of Chaleur, it is three miles wide, and
from thence to Athol House, above Campbelton, a distance of
twenty miles, it maintains a great breadth, and may be considered
for the whole distance, one magnificent haven, fitted for ships of
the largest class.

The Restigouche is about 220 miles in length, and it has four
large tributaries, each more than 60 miles long ; with its numerous
affluents, it is supposed to, drain more than 6000 square miles of
territory. At present, this river is the dividing line between New
Brunswick and Canada, and the fisheries in its waters are, therefore,
under the control o( each Colony, to the centre of the channel.

When the F'rencii possessed this country, there was a town called
Petit Rochelle, which contained mwe than two hundred houses, on
the north b&nk of the Restigouche, at the head of the tide. This
town was destroyed by a British fleet, under Captain Byron, in
July 1760, a large fleet of French men of war and store ships being,
at the same time, burnt and sunk in front of the town. Some
years elapsed before British settlers established themselves on the
banks of this river ; and it is probable, that for a long period after,
no river in North America, (except perhaps tfie Columbia) yielded

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76

Report on Sea and River Fisheries

so large a supply of salmon as the Restigouche. But its character,
in this lespect, is fast passing away; the numbers have fearfully
diminished of late years ; and, if the present state of things con-
tinues, very likely a brief period only will elapse, ere the salmon
fishery of the Restigouche will be numbered among the tilings that
liave been.

Robert Ferguson, Esquire, of Athol House, who has dwelt on
the bauks of the Restigouche more than fifty years, stated to the
writer, tliat in the early part of this century, he himself, for many
years, caught and exported 1400 barrels of salmon annually. He
thought, that the whole catch on this river, the pa"jt year, would
not exceed 500 barrels; but the season was an unfavourable one;
the unusual drought, and the white porpoises in the bay, were both
adverse 'to a good fishery. Mr. Ferguson attributes the great
decrease of salmon to the destruction of fish on the spawning beds,
in tlie upper parts of the river, far beyond the settlements, where
they are speare, and netted, and poached, in every mode that can
be devised, ^

Mr. John Duncan, a very intelligent and respectable farmer near
Campbelton, stated, that he has followed salmon fishing on the
Restigouche for forty years ; the fishing has greatly fallen off
within the last ten years. Twenty years since, according to Mr.
Duncan, 3000 barrels of salmon were shipped annually from the
Restigouche ; in his opinion, not more than 300 barrels wer« taken
the past season. The largest salnun taken, witiiin Mr. Duncan's
cwn ki ovrledge, weighed sixty pounds ; in former years, he has
known eleven salmon, on the average, to make a barrel of 2001b ;
more recently, they averaged fifteen to the barrel ; in 1848, the fish
averaged seventeen to the barrel ; but the past season, they were
quite small, and very different from those of former years.

In the Restigouclie, sulmon are taken one hundred miles above
tide-water ; they are also taken fifteen miles up the Quota-wam-
kedgwick, one of its upper tributaries. Salmon ascend the Mata-
pediac River, very nearly to the lake, about 60 miles ; the fish in
this tributary, are known by being larger and much blacker on the
back. The salmon on the Restigouche are next in size to those
of the Matapediac ; the fish which ascend the Upsalquitch are the
smallest.

Mr. Duncan stated, that drifting for salmon was practised on
the Restigouclie, all along the river, for eighty miles above the
tide-way ; a net, stretched between two canoes, is dragged down
stream, and this is called " drifting." Nets are set, at night, quite
across the river, where the channel is narrow ; at the same time,
parties are engaged with torch and spear, in taking salmon, or
driving them into the nets, [t was mentioned by Mr. Duncan,
that two men went eighty miles up the Restigouche, on the 1st of
September last, and in a few days, brought down seventy salmon,
taken in this way ; two Indians, who went up at the same time,
also brought down twenty salmon, taken with the spear.
, At the close of the season, just before the ice makes in the Res-
Itigouche, large qua^jtities of supplies, for the lumberers, are sent
very far up the river, in large tow-boats or scows, each drawn by

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

77

a number of horses. The upper part of the river is much impeded
by broad, sandy shallows, and sand bars ; where the water is not
fiuflficiently deep for heavily laden scows, they are dragged across
these shallows and bars, by the strength of three, and sometimes
nine horses, aided by men. It unfortunately happens, that these
places are the favourite spawning grounds of the salmon, and great-
quantities of the spawn, already deposited nnd covered, are thus
trampled up, destroyed, or washed away. Mr, Ferguson and Mr.
Duncan, were both of opinion, that some damage had oeen done to
the salmon fishery, by the "scowing," lat^- in the fall, when the
river happened to be in a low stage ; on such occasions the spawn-
ing beds are sure to suffer. Mr. Duncan however, thinks that the
greatest injury to the salmon fishery, arises from the salmon being
speared on these spawning beds, up to the very latest moment in
the season before the river closes, w^hen the fish are qnite worth-
less ; and that the great means of improving the fishery, would be,.
to preserve the upper part of the river.

Mr. Robert H. Montgomery, of Campbelton, who is well ac-
quainted with the upper part of the Restigouche, described, very
graphically, the various modes resorted to, both by Indians and white
men, to entrap and destroy the salmon on the river, without refer-
ence to time or place, the great object appearing to be, to take the
fish, no matter whether they were worth any thing, or not— the
spirit of desti r Jtiveness seems to have infected every body. The
largest salmon which Mr. R. II. Montgomery has seen taken,
weighed 47 lbs.

Dngald Stewart, Esquire, of Dalhousie, stated, that no gaspe-
reaux or shad were taken in the Restigouche. He took 26 barrels
of salmon last season, at a fishing station owned by himself, at the
entrance of the Restigouche, near the " Bon Ami Rocks." Many
ling, and large quantities of lobsters, were also taken m his salmon
nets, which happened to be deeper than necessary.

The Honorable John Montgomery stated, that salmon are des-
troyed on the Resti^^Giiche, by nets of great length, which are set,
as well from the New Brunswick as the Canadian side of the river,
and overlap each other, by which the channel is closed, and tlie
passage of the fish obstructed. These nets are kept constantly set
during the season, on Sundays as well as other days. Drift nets,
extending entirely across the river, are likewise used ; spearing
on the spawning beds, and drifting over these beds, ere also prac-
tised. Mr. Montgomery said that spearing goes on at all times,
when possible, without regard to season.

Mr. Mann, of Tracadegash, described the salmon fishing of
former days, in the Restigouche, as something quite wonderful. At
one period, there was a paid overseer on the Canadian side, when
the nets' were better regulated, and the fishery conducted in a much
more proper manner than at present; but, a like paid overseer not
being appointed on the New Brunswick side, it was found in)pos-
sible to regulate the fishery from one side only, and the Canadian
overseer was discontinued, since which the fishery has suffered
greatly. The largest fish taken in the Restigouche by Mr. Mann,
weighed .54 lbs. He thinks the mesh of salmon nets, in this river,
should not be less than Gj inches.

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78

Report on Sea and River Fisheries

) I
ill

Mr. Mann mentioned, as a fact within his own knowledge, that
Hie first salmon which enter the rivers every season, are almost
invariably females, and fish of large size. In a hundred fish of the
first run, not a single male will be found ; the nudes ascend the
river later than the females.

Mr. Joseph Marr, of Tracadegash, said tiiat before the salmon
entered the rivers, they went roving along the shores of the Bay
of Chaleur, and many were taken on the coast. The fishermen
professed to tlistinguish which rivers were frequented by the salmon
caught on the coast, from their shape, size and colour ; as a gene-
ral rule, the fish Tyhich entered the Cascapediac, in Gaspe, >/ere
larger than any other. During the past season, many salmon
were taken in nets at Tracadegash beach, by Nelson Verge, Esq.,
which weighed forty pounds each ; one taken by iilr. Marr weighed
forty seven pounds. An official copy of the orders of the Municipal
Council of the second division of the County of Bonaventure, rela-
tive to the salmon fishery of the Restigouche, wos furnished by
Mr. Marr, and is annexed to this Report.

The Act of Assembly in New Brunsw'ck, (8 Victoria, cap. 65,)
for regulating the salmon fisheries in the County of Restigouche,
contains some very stringent and salutary provisions, but then,
they are not enforced. In practice, the Act seems almost a dead
letter, as regards the Restigouche River. As stated with respect
to the Miramichi, paid overseers seem absolutely necessary to*
enforce the law ; and an arrangement could very rendily be made
with the Mm Icipal Council, on the Canadian side of the river, for
the like officers on that side. Such officers, by a faithful perfor-
mance of their duties, might so regulate the fisheries, and restrain
illegal fishing, as to prevent the entire destruction of the valuable
and important salmon fishery of the Restigouche, now in a fair
way of being annihilated.

i

! i

11-

\

THE RIVERS SOUTH OF THE MIRAMICHI.

The whole line of coast, from Point Escuminac to Bale Verte,
is low and sandy, with long narrow islets, or rather sand bars, in
front, thrown up by easterly gales. Between these bars and the
shore, there is almost a continued series of well sheltered lagoons,
perfectly secure, and admirably adapted for boat navigation at all
times. Through these sand bars the rivers force their way, by
narrow passages called " g:^llies," from the Frenoh term goulet;
these frequently fill up, and sLIfi their position, from violent gales
and heavy seas. Sometimes, the lagoons are closed entirely by
severe storms, and so remain, nntil the accumulated waters within
sweep out the old gully, or force a new one. In speaking of the
Gulf Coast of New Brunswick generally, this will be designated
the Southern District.

All the rivers, in this Southern District, are broad and shallow,
and the tide flows a considerable distance up each river, in pro-
portiou to its magnitude. In the largest rivers, the tide flows the
greatest distance from the sea.

• f
-U.

!|

Wilhin the Gn'f of Saint Lawrence. 79

The Kouchibouguac Rivers.

These are the first rivers, of any magnitude, to the southward
of Escuminac, and both discharge into the Kouchibouguac lagoon.
The Konchibouguasis is about six miles south of the other, and is
the broades*" river ; the tide flows up it about twelve miles from
the lagoon ; up the Kouchibouguac the tide flows about six miles.
At the head of the tide, on each river, there are dams, with saw
mills, above which the fish cannot ascend. There was, formerly,
good gaspereaux and salmon fishing in the Kouchibouguac ; but
the fish being prevented from ascending to their spawning ground,
collected every year below the dam, until they were exterminated.
Very nearly the same may be said of the Kouchibougnasis, in
which a few gaspereaux are yet taken early in the season. The
salmon fishery outside the Kouchibouguac lagoon, on the beaches,
has been already mentioned ; the salmon there are caught roving
along the coast, seeking some other rivers which they may ascend.

The Eichibttcto.

This is a large river, up which the tide flows about twenty five
miles from the Gulf; it has five large tributaries, three of which
enter on the north side, and two on the south side of the main
river> There are dams and saw mills at the head of the tide on
the Richibucto, and also in a like position on its tributaries.

Mr. Powell, of Richibucto, stated that he was connected with
the firm of Pagan & Powell at that place, in 1798 ; they continued
in business until 1807. They exported during that time, 2000
barrels of gaspereaux an ually ; one season they exported 3500
barrels. When the firm closed their business in 1807, the fish
had become very scarce, but the river not being so extensively
fished for some years, the quantity began to increase. The river
was again '* fished out" some years after ; but owing to the fishery
not having been go closely followed for the last few years, Mr.
Powell thinks tjie gaspereaux are at prt-sent on the increase, as
their reproductive powers are very great, if any opportunity what-
ever is afforded them.

The basse were formerly most abundant in the Richibucto, it
being exceedingly well adapted for these fish. They were taken
formerly through the ice in the winter season, of large size, in
immense quantities, in the manner already described in speaking
of the basse fishing of the Miramichi. The fish, when thus taken,
were sent ofif by sled loads, to Fredericton and Saint John, and
they were sold all through the intervening country. When a
favourable opportunity for this fishing occurred, they were taken
in such quantities, that as Mr. Powell described it they were
•• corded up" on the ice, like fire-wood ; if a thaw occurred before
a suflRcient number of sleds arrived to take them away, they were
wholly lost. In this way, great quantities were destroyed, and
there are no large basse in the Richibucto at present ; they are
now seldom seen over twelve inches in length.

Mt. Powell stated that very few salmon are now caught in the
Ri fhibucto, although they were formerly very plenty. On one
occasion, many years ago, Mr. Powell himself caught seven hun-

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80

Report on Sea and River Fisheries

J1

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drpd salmon, in twenty four liours ; he attributes the great falling
(tffin tills fishery, to the erection of dams on all the streams, which
prevent the ascent of the salmon to their former spawning place.

In August, 1837, the writer descended from the upper part of
the Richibucto, .where navigable for a canoe, down to the Gulf.
The (lam at the head of the tide, had not then been long built ; it
effectually prevented the progress of all fish upwards, and below it,
there were great quantities of large trout, and some salmon, con-
gregated, endeavouring in vain to get up. When salmon cannot
attain their proper spavining places, they drop their ova anywhere
in»the rivers, without the usual preparation, and appear perfectly
indifferent as to what becomes of it. Such has no doubt been the
case on the Richibucto ; and it is not therefore surprising, that
salmon have nearly disappeared in that river.

Mr. Wathen, of Richibucto, stated that the gaspereaux fishing
begins near the end of May, and lasts but a short time. The
settlers on the Richibucto, and on the Aldoine, its largest tributary,
take them for their own use only, none being now exported. He
estimates the whole catch at present, at one thousand barrels
annually ; but under proper regulations, he thinks many more
might be taken without injury to the fishery. The basse fishing,
Mr. Wathen said, was now nearly done. In 1819, while using a
seine on the beach, at the entrance of Richibucto Harbour, he
took two or three barrels of small basse, at each sweep of the
seine, which were salted. When the writer was at Richibucto in
October last, the Indians were engaged every night in spearing
basse, and between the seine and the spear, even the small basse
will shortly be exterminated. It will soon become matter of
history that large basse were once taken in great quantities in the
Richibucto ; and that salmon were also abundant in that river in
former times.

The Act of Geo. 4, <;ap. 2.'), empowered the Justices in Kent to
make regulations respecting the fislieries of the different harbours,
rivers, and creeks, of the County ; but in this as in other Counties,
the regulations were not enforced, and hence the decay and almost
total destruction of the river fisheries in this County.

The Buctouche Rivers. -:- k- '

The Big and Little Buctouche Rivers both fall into the Harbour
of that name. The tide flows up the Big Buctouche about thirteen
miles, and up the Little Buctouche about ten miles. Both rivers
are in character very similar to the Richibucto, and the same
statements with reference to the gaspereaux, basse, and salmcn
fisheries of that river, will very nearly apply to those fisheries in
the Buctouche Rivers. The settlers catch a sufficiency of gaspe->
redux for their own use. The large basse have been destroyed,
but the small basse are yet taken through the ice, and with the
spear ; it was apparent, that here also every^effort was being made
to exterminate these fish. A few salmon yet enter these rivers
very late in the season, when just ready for spawning, and being
unable to ascend, are destroyed in every possible way, at a time
when they are lank, slimy, and quite unfit for use. .>m ,r;:iH:' -o

Within the Gvlf of Saint Lawrence.

81

A few shad are taken in these rivers, but thev are said to be
thin and poor. There is great abundance of smelts every spring.
Parties of French settlers go up the brooks in log canoes, and each
party frequently gets fifty to sixty barrels of smelts, which a. used
to manure the land. There is an abundance of large eels of fine
qutility ; in the season of 1848 about three hundred barrels of eels
taken with the spear in these rivers, were salted for winter use.

The Cocagne River.

The tide flows about seven miles up this river ; at the head of
the tide, there is, as usua), a mill-dam, which prevents all fis|i
fr6m ascending the river.

Some gaspereaux are yet taken here, but nothing was heard of
basse. While the river was unobstructed, many salmon were
taken in it ; they are now scarcely seen. The dam was placed
aoross this river about 1830; and for several years after, the
salmon came up and endeavoured to get over it, but without suc-
cess. While thus endeavouring to make their way up, they were
slaughtered in great quantities, and to such an extent t.iat it is
believed none were left to preserve the breed. It was stated at
Cocagne, that while the fish were thus collected one season, a
Frenchman, in one night, speared a sufficient number of salmon
tafill eight barrels ; two other Frenchmen, during the same night,
each filled two canoes ; while several Indians, on the same famous
occasion, lent their best abilities to complete the work of destruc-
tion! And it was completed.

The Shediac and ScadoUc Rivers.

Both these rivers empty into the Harbour of Shediac. The
tide flows seven miles up the Shediac River, where a mill-dam
prevents its further flow, and the ascent of all fish whatsoever to
the fresh water above. Up the Scadouc River, the tide flows*
three miles, a very short distance above which, a mill-dam also
prevents the passage of fish.

As a matter of course, the fisheries of these rivers are nearly
extinguished. Very few gaspereaux are now taken ; the attempt
is 'made only by those who have failed in taking a sufficient supply
of spring herrings. *Some small basse are still caught in nets ;
but salmon are neatly, if not quite, extinct.

While the writer was at Shediac, in November, 1846, a run of
salmon, appareivtly the last of theit* race, entered the Shediac and
Scadouc Rivers, and ascended nearly to the dam on each. It was
reported, that on a Sabbath day, many persons were engaged in
destroying these fish, (which were' black, lean, and slimy,) with
spears, scythes, pitchforks, and such other offensive weapons as
came to hand ; apparently, the destruction was complete, as little
has since been heard of salmon in these rivers.

Lobsters, eels, and smelts, are abundant in Shediac Harbour,
and its oysters have long been celebrated for their excellence and
fine flavour; it must be remembered, however, that those taken
near the moUths of the rivers, are greatly inferior to those taken
in the deep salt water. For the information of sporting fishermen,
it may be Mentioned, that there is good fishing for " white trout/'

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82

Report on Sea and River Fisherteg

I *

on the Cocagne, the Shediac, and the Scadonc Rivers ; and that
smelts and small basse rise readily at the fly, and are frequently
taken while fishing for trout.

T/te Rivers from Shediac to the Nova Scotia Boundary.

The rivers which empty into the Gulf, on this long line of coasts
are all flat, sluggish streams, of small size, and no very great length.
They furnish gaspereanx and tide trout, but are not large enough
for salmon.

Bale Verte is a broad, shallow bay, whicl), at low water, is dry
nearly two miles from the shore, except in the channel, which is
then four feet deep, and rather crooked. There is only four feet
water on the bar, at low water ; the rise and fall of the tide is
seven and a lialf feet. There is a good gaspereaux fishery in the
Gaspereaux River, at the head of the Bay, on the New Brunswick
side of which, there is no other fresh water fishery of importance.

•I !! ;

FRESH WATER FISHES.

In addition to the fresh water fishes already mentioned inci-
dentally, there is the common yellow perch, (perca Jluviatilis
of Cuvier and Valenciennes,) which is found in many of the rivers
flowing into the Gulf. The "small American bMse," (perca
labrax mucron^^us of Cuvier,) better known as the " white perch'*
on the Saint John, in many of the tributaries of which it abounds,
has not been found in any of these northern rivers.

A great variety of small fish exist in each of the rivers of the
north, which it is not necessary to enumerate, as they merely serve
as food for larger fish. Fortunately, no pike or pickerel have yet
been found in any of the rivers of New Brunswick, and the great
abundance of trout, and other river fish, may in some degree be
attributed to the absence of those ** fresh water sharks," who are
most destructive to all other fishes.

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COMMERCIAL VALUE OF THE GULF nSHERIES IN 1849. .

The following Tables, compiled by the writer from the Custom
Hou&e Returns, exhibit the trifling value of the produce of the Sea
and River Fisheries, exported from the Gulf Ports of New Bruns-
wick in 1849. The quantity of each article, at each Port, is here
exhibited ; and it will be observed, that the whole quantity of
pickled fish exported, was 3,380 barrels only, and that 2, 1 10 barrels
were imported. It will be seen that macicerel were imported, at
Miramichi, from another Colony ; and tliat at Richibucto, near
which fish are so abundant, 575 barrels of pickled fish were
imported from abroad, and 1 10 barrels only, were exported. The
whole value of fish exported during tlie past year is £15,1 IT
sterling, against which there is the value of the fish imported,
amounting to .£2)269, leaving a balance of £12,848 sterling only,
in favour of the exports of the Gulf Fisheries of New Brunswick.

It must not be forgotten, that the season of 1849, was one of
unexampled abundance in the sea fisheries ; and the following

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrenct.

83

tables therefore fnrnish a severe, but it may be hoped, a most
useful commentary- upon the state of the Provincial Fisheries within
tire Gulf of Saint Lawrence :—■

Exports of tbe prodace of the Fisherfei, from the several Ports of New Bruns-
wick, within the GulforSamt Lawrence, during the year 1841).

Mnuked and

Dried Fiih.

Pickled Fiib.

preserved

Fith Oil.

Oyitert.

PORTS.

Fiiiu

quintal*.

barreli.

bozei.

gallons.

busheU.

Miramichi,

• •

2,306

531

455

• •

Daihousie, . . . .

• 130

344

• ■

• •

• •

Bathurst, .. ..

720

42

• •

• •

• •

Caraqnet, .. ..
Kirhibucto,

16,056

578

• »

7.672

2,304

• •

110

• •

• •

240

8hediac, . . . .

• •

• •

• •

• •

• •

Total

16,906

3,380

531

8,027

2.544

Imports or the produce of the Fisheries, at the several Ports of New Brunswick,
within theOalf nf Saint Lawrence, during the year 1849.

a

Dried

Fish.

Pickled Fish.

Smoked and
Preserved Fish.

Fish Oil.

Oyaten.

POftTS.

quintals.

barrels.

boxes.

gallons.

bushels.

Herrings "^

Miramichi, . • . .

382

1,130 f

Mackerel C

35 3

« •

• •

• •

Dalbonsie, . . . .

1,163

370

21

772

• •

Bathurst

• •

• •

« •

• •

• •

Caraqnet, . . . .
Rlrhibuoto

• •

• •

• •

• •

• •

138

575

• •

260

• •

Sbediac, . . . .

• •

• •

• •

• •

• •

Total

1,673

2,110

21

1,032

• •

Comparative Statement of the total 'quantities of articles, the produce of the
Fisheries, exported and imported at the sevfral Ports of N|ew Brunswick,
within the Gnir or Saint Lawrence, during the year 1849.

1849,

Dried Fish.

Pickled
Fish.

Smoked &

Preserved

Fish.

Fish Oil.

Ojrsters.

quintals.

barrels.

boxes.

gallons.

bushels.

Exports,
Imports,

16.906
1.673

3,380
2.110

531
21

8,027
1,032

2,544

• •

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Xepore on «%# and River FtsAeriev

Retarn of the eftfanated ralae, in pMiicIt ■terling, «( atl articleir the projmse of
the Fiiheriet, exported from the ■ereral Porto of New Brvnawick, within the
Oolf of ^ii>t Lawreofte, faring the year )849'|flistbgoishing tha eountriea to
which the aame were exported.

€uai

aHITIBII' «OLONIBa.

UnHed

Foreign

POUTS.

Nurtli

Went

filM-

Total

' Britain.

Anmira.

IndiM.

wherf).

Statet.

ihatet.

Starling.

Miramichi, ^,

132

2.820

*•■

1.822

• •

^4,774

Daihousie, . .

27

611

• •

w m

638

BathnrsM** ••

• m-

440

• ••

9W

440

Caraqaati » r
RichioDcto, ,,

1.148

3,291

1,190

3,362

8,991

•■»

274

• r

W9

274

8hed>ia9, v> rr

-•'•

m m^

mr

• • •

r»

» V

Total Eiporta,

»,^^}'7

7,438

w»

1,190

),822

3,362.

jC15,117

Total ralae of

fiab iiQportfld

at the same

Porto in 1849.

•■••

2.2«9

»•

wm-

It*

' ••

jC2,269'

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Retom of the qtiantitios of the Tarions prodaeta of the Finheriea, exported {ron»
the Diatriet of Oaape, dwriag the year ending 5th Janoary, 1850.

Weigh!

From tke

From the

Total from

Total

^EMairrioif.

o»

Ptort of Ifew

Port of

tha District

in

Mearare.

Carlisle.

Gaape.

hiie49.

1848.

Dry Cod, «» ..

; qnintalft,

28.230

52,109

8O339

89,931

Pickled Co^, ..

'• barrelfi,

•••

4,^m

4,920

3.977

D».

qaintatfl,

24

817

841

1.074

TongDc.^ & Sounds,

barrells,

}5

«

21

62

Salmon. w ••

do..

mw ■

290

290

276

Maekere), .^ ..

do.

V m

126

P26

16»

Herrings, ••• •*

do.

trw

219

219

277

Halibot, •> ,.

do.

m m

50

50'

• •

Cod Oil. . . -.

gallons^

573

50.220

50^793"

3i.03if

Whale Oil

do.

m 9

21,720

21,720

6,960

Seal Oil, ... . .

rto.

m •

130

120'

60O

The va^ie of all imports at the Port of Gaspe m 1849, wa»
£32,286 cwTrencj ', the value of exports the aame year, was £51 ,880
currency. At New CarlisTe, the ralne of imports from abroad, in
1849, was £12,51 1 steFling; the Talue of exports was £37,550.
The imports and exports to and from Quebec are not stated in the
return from New CarKsIe. The exports* include birch and pine
timber ; hacmatack knees, ^fp timbtnr* treenails^ and pegs ; hem"
lock tftthwood 'j spruce and pine deals, boards^ and slunglesv

Tn order that some comparison may be instituted between the
fisheries of New Brunswick, in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and
those of theiStatf of Massachusetts, which are so largely prosecuted
in the same Gulf^thr following official return of the quantities of
all descriptions of pickled fish, inspected in that State, during the
year 1849, is given ; —

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fm%iH lihe Otiff of Saint Lawrence. d5

** Fish /fupedion Office, Soiton, Jantuiry 7. 1 850.
"^'The foIIowKng is a vetnrn of tke ^uantitie* of aU 4ew:riptio«« of pickled fish
ia<p«et«d in tlii« State, doring the year 18t9:—

Mackerel. .. ., 331,856 bHtrela.

Salnoih ., .. ., l,82i "

«had, ^ 416 *'

Herrings, , „ %^2 "

Alewive^ 2,18? **

Cod, ,, ., ., «7 **

Menhaden, ... ., ., .^ ., ,, 78 **

Sword Fioh, ,, 474 **

Tongues and Sounds, .-. .« ... ,, 413 **

eiue-Fish. ,, 142 **

fIalibnt(Finfl, ., ... ^i ^

8a]iiioi« Treat, ... .. ., .. .. 7<» *'

Total, 438,496 harrele.
$<mv P, Oaim, Intp'r Gen. of Fish.^

The salmon «nd salmon trout meittioned in tke above return,
were doubtless taken in thetSulf of Saint Lav^rence, as there are
■no SKok fisheries in tke Unitei* States. The Araerican fishing
vessels obtain salmon on the west coast of Newfoundland, a«d in
■the rivers of Labrador, which abound with them. It is known,
that they take the large winte trout of the Gulf, at the Magdalen
Islands, where many of those fish an. caught every season in uets.

Tlie Inspector fifeneral of tPish at Boston, kas kindly lurnished
the following return of mackerel inspeoteA in the State of Mas-
sachusetts, during the last six years t —

la 1641, .. ... 86.180 barrelfl. la 1847, .. ^ 232,587 barrels.

1845, .. ... 202;3«2 •« 1€48 300,139 "

\m6 174,064 ** 1849, .... 2M, 856 «

OfiNETAAL SUMMAAY.

l* The foregoing Report is based upon personal inspection, and
the statements of many persons, of undoubted credit, dwelling near
the coasts, rivers and harbonro visited. 9t shows clearly, the great
neglect of the sea fisheries, and the rapid decay «if those in the
rivers, which are threatened with total extinction.

2. Tke cod, and other deep sea fisheries, '^^ the Gulf coast, are
-almost wholly in the hands of the Jersey nierdiants, who oonduot
their business very Admirably, but solely with a view to their own
|>rofit, withoitt regard t« the«interests of New Brunsimck. Tliey
expend their earnings in Jersey, or elsewhere; they make no
investments in this ProVinoe — and ^hey 4o not aid in its advanee-
oient.

3. The people of New Brunswic/k must be incited, «nd enooar-
«ged, to eivter into the deep sea «nd eoa^t fisheries ; witl^moderate
-capital, and some knowledge of the business, tkey oonld, undoubt-
'ediy, prosecHte those ^shedes, with profit to themselves, and mack
^benefit to the oonntry.

4. .AH the fishing stations on the coasts, beaches and islands
4^^ertainiqg.to New Branswick, within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence,

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Report on Sea and River Fisheries

which are yet ungranted, should be surveyed, and laid out, for
" fishing rooms; ' and these should be leased, at a fair rental, to
persons engaged in the fisheries ; the lease to terminate so soon es
each "roont" ceased to be used for fishery purposes. No fishing
"room" should be allowed to engross the whole of any fevourite
location, where there was sufficient space for more than one ; and
great care slvould hereafter be taken, to avoid such improvident
grants as that at Point Miscou, which has effectually shut up a
good fishing station there.

5. The mackerel fishery is most excellent in the Gulf, near the
shores of this Province ; but the inhabitants do not avail themselves
of its abundance, while citizens of the United States pursue it
largely, near these same shores, with much profit. The annexed
returns, obtained from Washington through an official channel,
show the extent and value of the sea fisheries of the United States ;
and it must be borne in mind, that these fisheries are more exten-
sively prosecuted in British waters than elsewhere.

6. By the Convention of 20th October 1818, between His Bri-
tannic Mejesty and the United States of America, it was stipulated,
that the citizens of the United States should not, thereafter, fish
within three raarine miles of any of the coasts, bays,, ereeks, or
harbours, of His Majesty in America. Tlve Crown Officers in
England, upon a case submitted to them by the Legislature of
Nova Scotia, have given it as their deliberate opinion, that the
prescribed distance of three miles, is to be measured from the head-
lands, or extreme points of land, and not from the interior of bays,
or indents in the coast. A copy of the first article of the Conven-
tion of 1818, anu also a copy of the opinion of the Queen's Advocate
and Attorney General of England, are appended to this Report.
The principle laid down in that opinion has not been denied, or
disputed, by the United States ; yet the fishing vessels of that
country are accustomed to frequent— and during the past season,
did frequent — the Straits of Northumberland, the Bay of Mirami-
chi, and the Bay of Chaleur ; in neither of which have they any
right to prosecute the fisheries. The citizens of the United States,
by their peculiar mode of fishing for mackerel, in places where
they have no right, greatly injure the cod fishers, t^ depriving
them of bait ; and they also damage the cod fishery, by throwing
overboard the bones and offal of the cod which tliey take. At
present, the Convention is openly violated ; aud American citizens
practically ei\|oy 6vevy privilege they desire, save that of landing
on our shores, to dry and cure their fish. While the Convention
exists, its provisions should be strictly enforced ; or else, we lose
the advantages of our position, without any equivalent.

7. The resident fishermen have been deterred from engaging in
the maolwrel fishery, by those interested in the cod fishery ; they
have been refused supplies of salt, and told they could not compete
with the Americans, who were said to possess some secret in rela-
tion to it. This adverse influence must be counteracted, and the
erroneous impression removed. V^/y manv young men, on the
coast, appeared anxious to leam the American mode of catching

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

87

mackerel ; and it was proposed, in the Bay of Chaleur, to fit out
one or more schooners^ and engage Americans as sailing masters,
to teach the cww the •* art and mystery " of mackerel fishing.
There is no doubt, that judicious measures could readily be devised,
for establishing this valaable fishery, on a large scale, and induce
Its being prosecuted by the resident fishermen, to whom it is offered
•ait their own doors.

8. The herring fishery is most valuabb and abundant ; it can
liardly be surpassed elsewhere. From unskilfulness in fishing,
and ignorance of the best mode of curing, this fishery is scarcely
profitable, and the salted herrings have no commercial value. The
remedy would consist, — in the employment of competent persons,
to teach the manner of so arranging the nets, as to take the greatest
quantity of fish, at all times,— and of experienced curers, to give
instructions In the Dutch mode of curing ; the adoption of which
has so greatly increased the demand for Scottish herrings, and
rendered that fishery so valuable. The means successfully adopted
by the Commissioiiers of British Fisheries, with respect to the
4ierring fisheries of* Scotland, may safely be followed in New
Brunswick ; and perhaps the establishment of a Fishery Board,
with «omewhat similar powers and duties, miglit also be advanta-
geous, as well to the Gulf Fisheries, as to those of the Bay of Fundy.

Mr. John Mitchell, of Leith, who is engaged in the herring
fishery of Scotland, in a letter to the Irish Fishery Board, as to
the best mode of improving the fisheries of Ireland, says : — ** The
people ought to be taiight to fish, and particularly, to cure ; quality
ought to be made paramount to quantity. The curers of Scotland
were much benefited by some Dutch fishermen, brought over, who
cured herrings, under my own superintendence, some years since."

With reference to the advantages of a Fishery Board, Mr. Mitchell,
in a memorial to the Board of Trade, states, that the British
Fisliery Board is one of the best managed establishments n Europe,
Vnicfh, by Its judicious and well applied regulations, has raised the
character of British herrings to a most extraordinary degree,
within a few years ; and he conceives, that the prosperity of the
fisheries of Scotland, depends upon the existence of the Fishery
Board, «nd its oflTicers.*

9. As a most fitting station lor an inspector and teacher of the
herring fishery, and for the services of experienced curers, Cara-
quet Island is respectfully recommended. It is in the immediate
vicinity of the best herring fishing, and fortunately, it is stlil the
property of the Crown.

Other stations may be selected hereafter, as the herring fishery
is extended. It is quite probable, that there are various localities
in theGulfj to whicli the fall herrings resort, but which are not yet
known. It is only forty years since it was accidentally discovered

* Th« export of herrin;^ from Scotland, in 1837, waa S7,388 barrels ; by the Board'«
«!xertion«, thi« quantity wa* increased in 1^43, to 181,853 barrel*. It Bjppeara by a Report
on the fisheries of ScotlanJ, by Captain Washington, R.N., [printecl in Parliamentaiy
vmpsrsof 1849,] that in 1848, there were cured in Scotland, 999,345 barrels of herrings,
besidps 3641951 cwt. of cod and ling. Captain WcshinAton estimates the ralue of buati,
(tela, lines, &c., belonging to the Scottish fishermen, at jtl,250,078 sterling.

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Report on Sea and River Fisheriee

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that herrings resorted periodically to the Firth of Forth, by a iuon
dipping a bucket into the water.

10. The laws for the regulation of the inland fisheries, appear,
in general, to have been well devised ; bat, there has been a total
failure in enforcing their provisions, ewety where. Hence, the
decay of these once valuable and prolific fisheries, now hastening
rapidly to their termination. With some amendments and im*
provemepts, the present laws might answer the purpose of preserving
and increasing th 'se fisheries ; but a general enactment, with
adequate means for enforcing its provisions, would probably be
found most effective.

11. A "close time" should be established, during which salmon
should not be taken in any way. The taking of " grilse," or small
salmon, under a certain weight, should be restricted, and their sale
prohibited. Spearing should be disallowed, and the regulations
generally, for this fishing, should be as uniform as possible.

12. A moderate assessment upon all salmon nets in use, should be
levied, and applied to the payment of the overseers of the fisheries
for their services. At pressnt, the proprietors of the salmon fisheries
on the several rivers, enjoy them without expense, and expect the
public to pay for their protection and preservation. The assess-
ment principle has lately been established in Ireland. The Act
I II and 12 Victoria, cap. 92, provides for an assessment on certain
engines used in the capture of fish, for the purpose of raising fnnds
for the conservancy and police of the fisheries. Some objections
being made to this Act, a Select Committee of House of Commons
heard evidence respecting it, at the last Session of Parliament.
The Report of this Committee, published in September last, recom-
mends a continuance of the Act, but such a modification of the
scale of duties imposed, as would cause the burthen of the assess-
ment to fall, as much as possible, upon those who derived the chief
benefit arising from its expenditure.

1 3. The salmon fishery of the Restigouche, once so abundant
and so valuable, requires special attention. The Canadian Govern-
ment might be moved to take part in the preservationof this fishery ;
or the Municipal Council of the Second Division of the County of
Bonaventure, could be urged to join in the necessary measures.
Some of the gentlemen of this Council, who were met in Gaspe,
were most intelligent persons, fully alive to the existing evils, and
most anxious that they should be prevented by vigorous action.

14. A law to prevent the use of fish as manure, is greatly needed.
The practice is destructive to the fisheries, in every possible way ;
and it is injurious to the land, which, although stimulated for a
season, is for several years after, rendered almost unfit for agricul-
tural purposes. l*he effluvia from the decomposition of the fish
has been found unhealthy. In Dr. Storer's Report on the Fishes
of Massachusetts, (page 118) it is stated, that in the town of
Barnstable, large quantities of fish were used as manure, the stench
from which was most offensive, so as greatly to inconvenience
travellers on the road ; and autumnal fevers and dysentery, were
more prevalent in that district, than elsewhere in the vicin^y.

Within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

89

The practice has been most extensively followed In the Bay of
Chaleur, where the fisheries have suffered greatly in consequence.
The action of the Canadian authorities is also required, to give full
eflicacy to a prohibitory law within that bay.

\5. No pickled fish whatsoever, should be allowed to be exported,
unless the casks bore the brand of an official inspector ; and th3
sale of such fish within the Province, not inspected and branded,
should be punished by forfeiture of the fish, or a sufficient fine.
The rigid enforcement, in all cases, of an efficient inspection law,
can alone prevent frauds and mal-practices, and establish the
character of New Brunswick fish in distant markets.

16. The fisheries belonging to the Crown, in the rivers whose
banks are ungranted, should be leased, on condition that each lessee
should fish only at the proper season, and protect the river at all
other tiroes> By this arrangement, the fisheries of the rivers
flowing through ungranted wilderness lands, which are now being
destroyed in the most wasteful and reckless manner, might be
preserved, and rendered profitable. In Ireland, where rivers,
whose salmon fishery was nearly exhausted, have been preserved
for a time, the salmon have increased most wonderfully ; and the
salmon fishery, in some cases, has become of exceeding value, in
places where, previously, it had almost ceased to exist.

17. The rents arising from " fishing rooms,'' and river fisheries,
with the addition of any Legislative Grants, miglit be most usefully
and beneficially employed, in extending and improving the fisheries,
in a great variety of ways. At almost every fishing station, there
is a great want of those conveniences necessary to a successful
prosecution of the fisheries. Landing piers, breakwaters and
shelter harbours, boat slips and capstans, moorings, and small
harbour lights or lanthorns, are all greatly needed ; and probably,
few better modes could be devised, of assisting and encouraging
the industrious fishermen, than by furnishing these conveniences
at the public expense. Short roeds, or lines of communication,
between piers, fishing harbours, or stations, with the nearest high
roads, are also required, almost every where. If advisable, pre-
miums might be given for good boats and nets, for the most
scientific and successful modes of fishing, or for the discovery of
new fishing grounds.

18. It is a duty incumbent upon the people of New Brunswick,
to encourage, preserve, and protect, their admirable fisheries.
They should, with thankful hearts, use the gifts which Providence
has bountifully bestowed, and prevent their reckless and improvi-
dent waste ; so that they may hereafter be able to render a good
account of their stewardship of that which has been beneficently
vouchsafed to them.

M. H. PERLEY.

Oovernment Emigration Office,
Saint John, N. B. 22d January, 1850.

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REPORT

" !• ! UPON

THE FISHERIES OF THE BAY OF Wm.

Laid before the Houie of Ataembly by Command of Hi* Excellency the Lieuteniint
Governor, and ordered to be Printed 15ih March, 1891.

There is greater variety in the FtsheriesF of the Bay of Funcfy
than in those of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence ; and owing to their
peculiar character, and a variety of local circiimstances, they are
prosecuted, in several respects, m modes which give to them
unusual interest.

The character of the Bay itself is very peculiar. Its shores on
both sides are rocky and abrupt, while near its head (divided into
two separate basfos) the tide, pressed in and confined within dimi-
nished limits, rushes with much violence and •• hot haate "^ over
extensive and wide-spreading mud-flats, and rises perpendicularly
sixty feet or more.

It is asserted by geologists, that the Bay of Fnndy has been
scooped out by the powerful action of the Gulf Stream, which,
carrying off the softer and more friable rocks that anciently filled
its basin, has been checked in its ravages by the stem and unyield-
ing cliffs of primary rock which now constitute its iron bound shores,
and frown down upon its rushing water».

A modern writer, describing the supposed formation of the Bay,
says—

*' A vast and unintermpted body of wafer, impelled by the trade wind from
tbe coast of Africa to the Amerioaa Continent, strilces the N»vr Scotia there
between 44° and 45° north latitoJe, with a force almont adequate to its total
annihilation. A barrier of fifteen miles only in width, between the Atlantic
Ocean and GulfoT St. Lawrence, seems to have escaped such a catastrophe— while
a space of one hnndred miles in length, and upwards of forty in breadth, has
been swallowed up in the vortex, which rolling its tremendous tides, of sixty an«l
seventy feet in perpendicular height, up the beds of the adjoiniag rivers, has
converted them into inland seas."

Such being the character of this Bay and its extraordinary tides,
it may readily be supposed, that its varied fisheries are influenced
by local position arising from the greater sweep or indentation of
the coast in particular places, and tlie position of headlands, islands,
and the mouths of rivers, — all tending to increase or diminish the
rush of the tide, thus influencing the course of the great bodies of
fish which frequent the Bay during each season, while affording to
each some especial or favourite place of resort where food is found
in abundance, or in which its spawu may be deposited in sMsk
manner as will best tend to the propagation of the species.

. In order, therefore, to a comprehensive view of the fisheries of
the Bay of Fundy, it will be necessary, in the outset, to describe
the varioos fisheries, in their several localities. To do this with

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Report on the Fiskerwa of the Bay of Fundy.

precision, and in a manner readily understood, the northern, or
New Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy, commencing with
Grand Manan, will be first noticed ; after which, the southern, or
Nova Scotia side of the Bay, ahd its fisheries, will be described in
their order, from the eastern extremity, or head of the Bay, to
Brier Island.

THE NEW BRUNSWICK SHORE.

Orand Manan.

This Island is in shape an irregular oval, the extreme length
being nearly twenty miles, and greatest breadth about eight miles.
Its general trend is from southwest to northeast, like the neigh-
bouring coast of the mainland, from \. .ich it is separated by a

fassage about fourteen miles in width. The western shore of the
sland, throughout pearly its entire length, presents a succession of
lofty mural precipices, with few and limited beaches, and deep
water in immediate proximity — without shelter even for boats,
except at Dark Harbour, which is more particularly noticed here-
after. From the western shore, the land has a gradual slope
to the eastern side of the Island, which has many indentations,
althoug!) destitute of harbours that are secure against easterly or
southerly gales.

The principal fisheries of this Island, are those for cod, pollack,
hake, and herring ; and the mode of conducting these fisheries, and
curing the fish taken, will be described from information obtained
at tlie several localities which were visited.

Cameron's Cove. — This is a narrow cove at the northern extre-
mity of the Island, to the southward of a curiously projecting spur
of rocks, called the ** Swallow's Tail," which separates it from
Whale Cove. At this place, Mr. J. B. Pettes, an American
citizen, has a neat fishing establishment, and a store for retailing
merchandise and groceries. It is alleged, that he manages to
transact a profitable business, without himself entering into the
fishery, by purchasing green fish from the fishermen, and curing
them on his own premises. .

On the 28tii August last, the writer visited Cameron's Cove.
At that perio.1, the hake (Phycis Americanua) were in full season.
On a bank about two miles from Cameron's Cove, extending from
the Swallow's Tail to a small Island called '* Long Island," the
hake were taken in abundance in 28 fathoms water, by fishing
during the night, at which time this fish is on the feed, arid takes
bait greedily. At day-break, the fishing bouts return to the shore,
when the fish are thrown out upon the beach with a pitchfork.
Soon after sunrise, the newly caught hake were observed by the
writer lying on the gravel beach, sweltering under the h<3at Fhere
were no splitting tables, as in a well conducted establishment, bul
the fishermen set up pieces of board upon the open beach in a
temporary manner, on which the fish were split; they oonld not
be said to be cleaned, as no water was used in the operation, The
iteads and eatraik were separated from the bodies of (tie fisb»

Report on the Fiahervn of the Bay ofFtmdxf.

93

which, being split in a damsj manner, with uneomnionly bad
knives, were thrown down npon the gravel ; thence they were
carried o£f on handbarrows, upon which they were tossed in aheap,
three or four at a time, with pitchfbrics. From the barrows the
fish were pitchforked into the scale to be weighed ; from the scale
they were again pitchforked upon the 'uarrows ; and being carried
off to the pickling casks, were once more pitchfbiked into the

{>ickle ; by this time the fish were perflated in all directions, and
ooked little better than a mass of blood and dirt. The fish
which were <? ving on the flakes were covered with scales on the
inside, or split portion of the fish^ which had a most disagreeable
appearance.

The fishermen here, Stated, that during the previous night, a
Yankee schooner, called the " John Drake, of Lnbec," had an-
chored on the hake-ground, not more than a mile from the extremity
of the Swallow's Tail, and being provided with abundance of bait
and a numerous crew, had soon attracted all the fish about her.
The fishermen had gathered around the schooner in their boats,
and desired the skipper to move off ; on his refusal, they pulled
towards the shore to bring off an additional force with fire arms,
when the skipper lifted his anchor and made sail. The fishermen
then returned to their ground, and had good fishing during the
night. They complained that the large American schooners fre-
quently came in this manner npon their ground, and broke up
the fishing, if they were not strong enough to drive them away.

Doggett*s Cove. — This is an open beac^, west of Cameron's Cove,
where Mr. Nath tniel Doggett has a curing establishment. When
this place was visited, the fishermen were engaged in splitting hake,,
in the rude and dirty manner already described. Mr. Doggett stated*
that hake were never washed after being i^lit, hot were imme-
diately put in pickle, in all their blood and dirt. In this pickle
the fish remain 24 hours ; then being taken out and washed with
it, they were put in another pickle, in which they remained eight
days. At the end of that time, they were put on the flakes to
dry, and if the weather was good, they would cure in three days.
The fish are not put into pile to sweat, after being dried on the
flakes, but aie at once removed into store, and then considered fit
to be sent to the markets of the United States or the West Indies.

l^e pickle for hake is made of exceeding strength, a bushel of
salt being used for each quintal of fisli ; every effort appears to be
n^ed to make the fish weigh as heavily, and render them as salt as
possible ^the fish are not washed, lest the removal of the blood and
slime shmild detract from their weight

Mr. Doggett described the mode of curing cod at Grand Manan.
He said, that after being split, the cod are washed in sea- water,
apd. salted in hogsheads, in which ther lay four or five days in
pickle which they make themselves. They are then taken out,
and drained twenty four hourb .«i kinch^ or flat piles, after which
they are placed on the flakes. In gobd weather, they cure in six
or eight days ; in gc^neral th^y arc; p^^ sw^f^ted in pile, but ar^ at
once put in the store.

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Report on the Fisheries of the Bay of Fundy,

Pollack are cured in the same manner as cod. Haddock are
cured the same as hake, except that they are put in kinch, to
drain for two or three days, before being put on the flakes. In
salting cod and pollack, half*a* bushel of salt only, to the quintal,
is used.

Flagg's Cove. — In this cove, there is a wharf or breakwater,
which gives some shelter to small craft ; but the whole line of
Long Island Bay, in which these coves are situate, iw greatly
exposed in easterly gales, when a tremendous sea comes tumbling in.

Mr. Lorenxo Drake and Mr. John A. Hartt have each stations
here, at which they purchase green fish for curing. Cod, pollack,
and hake, fresh from the knife, are taken at 262tt>3. the quintal ;
when pickle-salted, they are taken at 224ibs. for the quintal.
When these establishments were visited, they were taking in cod
at ten shillings per quintal, and scale fish at five shillings per
quintal, payable in merchandise. The pollack were said to be of
smaller size than formerly, one hundred of them only making two
quintala of dry fish.

In tlie evening the writer observed, in this cove, eight boats with
torches, " driving " small herrings for bait. An American fishing
boat from a vessel in the offing, came to «iie shore, and having
procured material for torches, commenced ** driving " with the
otliers. Mr. Hartt stated, that on the 4th July lent, there were
about twenty American fishing schooners at anchor in Long Island
Bay, and while they were engaged in firing sahites in honor of the
day, H. M. Sloop *' Sappho," suddenly rounded the Northern Head,
when they all weighea anchor, in great haste, and stood out to sea.
The " Sappho " having passed along the coast to the southern end
of the island, these vessels returned to their anchorage in the
afternoon, and finished firing their salutes.

It was stated here, that five American vessels fished in this bay,
at about a mile from the land, during all the last winter. The
fishermen of Grand Manan complained of these vessels, whicli
were numerously manned, and occupied the best ground, to the
exclusion and injury of the fishermen residing on the shores.

Mr. Hartt said, there was no inspection of fish whatever at
Grand Manan, or any pretence of inspection. Every man cured
and packed his fish as he pleased ; and he mentioned as among
the evils flowing from this state of things, that he had purchased,
in a previous season, several barrels of herrings, put up near the
Southern Head, on examining which, he found that many of the
fish were not gibbed, others had become rotten before salting, and
the contents of the barrels were quite worthlefis. • ■ -^

Long Island. — This Island lies in front of the bay of the same
name. Mr. IngersoU is the only resident settler ; there is one ,
clearing of no great extent— the rest of the Island is in wood. *

On the Island there were forty fishermen encamped, haying among ''
them thirteen boats. These men were from Nova Scotia, and it
was said that they camn over every year from Brier leland, and its.
vicinity, and remained during' the fishing season. The fish they '
catch they sell in a green state to the Grand Manan dealers, who
furnish them with the requisite supplies.

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Report on the Fisheries of the Bay of Fundy.

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It was stated here, that during the preceding week, one boat,
with two men only, had taken ten quintals of hake for two nights
successively. It was said that the hake fishing was gradually fall-
ing off here ; but that the pollack fishing was better than it had been
for twenty years.

Bencraffa Point. — There are three large brush weirs near this
point, and a fourth in course of erection. They are intended to
take small herrings for smoking, but the past season very few were
taken. These weirs so fill up the channel, that it is somewhat
difficult to navigate among them.

High Duck Island. — The fishing establishment on this small
Island, belongs to Wilford Fisher, Esquire. There are weirs for
taking herring in connection with this establishment, which consists
of a warehouse for goods, two fish stores, and two large smoke
housos. These smoke houses, like all others which were observed
at Grand Manan, were far too low, and insufficiently ventilated.
The fires were made too near the fish, which thus became heated
and seriously injured.

When this Island was visited, there were a number of boats at*
the landing, from which hake were being delivered ; these were
pitchforked about in the same reckless and extraordinary manner
as at Cameron's Cove. There seemed to be the same desire to
make the fish weigh heavy, no matter by what mef^ns the extra
weight is gained.

At the close of the fishing season, Mr. Fisher (who resides at
Eastport) stated, that the catch of herrings at Duck Island weirs
only amounted to 175 boxes ; in 1849 it amounted to 5000 boxes.

Gull Gove. — This pretty little cove is in Whitehead Island,
which lies to the southward of Grand Manan, at no great distance
from it. There were a number of small fishing schooners in this
cove, at anchor, waiting for the tide. Among them was one
American vessel, the '* Glide," which appeared to fish with the
British vessels without observation or hinderance.

These vessels were engaged in fishing for pollack, on the "rips'*
or "ripplings" off Grand Manan. These ''rips" are formed by
strong currents and tlie conflliot of tides, in which the lively pollack
delight to play, as there they find abundance of small herrings for
food. For this description of fishing, the vessels are kept under
easy sail, the lines being attached to poles of about seven feet in
length, which project from the sides of the vessel. A round bright
lead is used, about seven inches in length, weighing from half a
pound to a pound and a half; the bait is a piece cut from the
under, or briglit part of the pollack, which is called a " last;" this
being kept in brisk motion by the sailing of the vessel, closely
resembles a living fish darting through the water, and is eagerly
chased by the pollack. The fishers often take twenty pollack
with a single " last," it being a very tough bait> i i

On Whitehead Island, immense numbers of the herring, or
silvery gull, (larus argentatus,) build their nests on trees, and
there rear their young. As the fishermen rob these nests of the
eggs as often aspossible, the birds continue to breed all the season.

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Report on the Fiaheries of the Bay of Fundy.

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and when this Island was visited at the end of August, there were
numbers of young birds on the nests unable to fly. The herring
gull is intimately connected with the herring fishing, its presence
generally denoting the course of the shoals of fish upon which it
preys ; it is therefore closely observed by the fishermen, who draw
from its motions tolerably correct conclusions as to the presence
of fish, and their numbers.

Whitehead Island was granted to the late Wm. Frankland, who
resided upon it, until his death a few years since. The celebrated
naturalist, J. J. Audubon, visited this Island in the American
Revenue Cutter " Swiftsure," and landed at Mr. Frankland's in
Gull Cove, on the 22d May, 1833. In his great work on the
Birds of America, vol. 7, page 163, Audubon thus speaks of his
visit, and of the herring gulls : —

" I wa* (greatly lurpiiavd to tee the ne«tt placed on the buihet, tome near the top, othera
about the middle, or on the lower part of the treet, while at the tame time, '.here were
many on the ground. It is true I had been informed of thii by our captain ; but I had
almoit believed that on arriving at the spot I should find the birds not to be gulls. My
doubts however were now dispelled, and I was delighted to see hnw strangely nature had
provided them with the means of securing their eggs and young from their arch-enemy, man.'
Jly delight was greatly increased, on being afterwards informed bv Mr. Frankland, that
the strange habit in question, had been acquired by these gulls within his recollection, for,
said he—' When I first came here, many reais ago, they all built there nests on the moss,
and in open ground ; but as my tons and the fishermen collected must of their eggs, and
sadly annoyed the poor things, the old ones gradually began to put their heats on the treet,
in the thickest parts of the woods. The youngest birds however, ttill have some on the
ground, and on the whole are becoming less wild, since I have forbidden strancert to rob
their nets, for, sentlemen, you are the only penons out of my family, that have fired a gun
at Whitehead Island for several years; and I dare say you will not commit any greater
havoc among them, than is necessary ; and to that you are welcome.'

'< I was much pleated with the humanity of our boat, and requested him to let me know
when all the gullr, or the greater part of them, thouid abandon the treat and resume their
former mode of building on the ground, which he promised to do. But I afterwards found
this was not likely to happen, because on some other iriandt not far disunt, to which the
fithermen and eggert have free access, these gulls breed altogether on the treet, even when
their eggs and young are regularly removed every year, so that their original habit* have
been entirely ^iven up. My opinion, that after being thus molested for some time longer,
they may resort to the inaccessible shelves of the rocKs of these islands, was itrengthened
by Mr. Frankland't informing me, that many pain had already taken refuge in tucb placet,
where they bred in perfect security.

" Some of the nestt which I saw w«re placed at a height of More than forty feet oa the
trees ; others seen in the thickest part of tna woods were eight or ten ieet from the ground,
and were placed close to the main item, so as to be with difficulty observed. It was truly
curious to see the broad-winged birdt make their way to and from them, in these secluded
retreats."

At Gull Cove the writer engaged Mr. Wm. Frankland, the son
of the grantee of the Island, whom Andubon mentions, and who
occupies his father's resiiknceiMio pilot the hooker among the reefs
and crooked channels which are numerous in this vicinity. In
sailing from Gull Cove to Grand Harbour, thousands of gulls were
observed returning at nightfall, to their nests on lofty spruce trees,
in a thick wood on Ross' Island. It was stated by Mr. Frank-
land, that since Andabon's visit, to which he allnded, the galls
had given up entirely tlieir natural habit of building nests upon
the ground, and had taken wholly to the trees, in consequence of
their constant disturbance by the fishermen, and the robbing of
their eggs.

The flight of the herring gull is as strong as that of the great
blacked-backed gull, but imore buoyant, as well as graceful. Their
food consists principally of herrings, of which "they destroy great
numbers, following the shnals, and indicating their course. They
al(K> feed on otlier fishes of email size, as well as shrimps and crabs.

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

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The shores of the Islands on which they breed, are covered with
multitudes of sea-urchins, having short greenish spines, which
give them the appearance of a ball of moss. At low water, the
herring gulls frequently devour these animals, thrusting their bill
into the shell, and sucking its contents.

Grand Harbour. — While piloting the hooker into this harbour,
Mr. Frankland pointed out places at its entrance, where it was
quite customary m former tinr.es for a boat, with two men, to take
seven or eight quintals of cod in a day. At present, there is no
line-fishing at this place, the fish not coming in, owing to the shoals
of small herring, on which they feed, being broken up and destroyed
by the brush weirs.

At this place, Cochran Craig, Esq., J. P., furnished the num-
bers of boats and men employed in the fishery between this har-
bour and the Southern Head, which will be found in the Table
hereafter; and a letter which Mr. Craig subsequently addressed
to the writer, in answer to the Fishery Circular, will be found in
the Appendix.

The upper part of Grand Harbour is well sheltered, but it is
almost entirely dry at low water. It abounds with lobsters, which
during the season, may be taken with a gaff, in almost any quan-
tity. The gafif is merely a cod-hook, without the barb, attached
to a light pole, six feet in length. As many as were required for
the hooker were quickly taken in this way, in two to four feet
water ; the places resorted to by lobsters were easily known, by
the holes made by them in the flats in digging for clams on which
they feed. There is great abundance of clams in these flats, and
it was stated, that at low spring tides they could be procured of
very large size.

A large brook, the largest in Grand Manan, falls into the bead
of this harbour ; during the winter great quantities of Tomcod
(morrhua pruinosa) are taken from it, but no smelts. It was
said that smelts are not found about this Island, and that trouts
are very scarce and small, rarely exceding a quarter of a pound in
weight.

The Southern Head. — Mr. Frankland having given the necessary
sailing directions»,left the hooker at Grand Harbour, from which she
was beat down to the Southern Head, against a strong south-wester.
Upon the spawning ground, within the Head, forty eight fishing
vessels were found at anchor, and in the midst of them, the Reve-
nue Cutter " Phantom," under the command of Captain Dudne.

Although the season was far advanced, (29th August,) yet the
herring-fishing had not fairly commenced, the fish not having
struck in. Subsequently, some were taken, but on the whole, the
fishery was a decided failure, not more than one-third of the usual
quantity having been taken.

At Wilcox Cove, about two miles to the eastward of the Head,
there is said to be a small sand-bank, upon which the herrings rush
to deposit their spawn. They often congregate in such numbers
as to overspread it completely, and thousands of fish are thus com-
pelled to drop their spawn on the very rough, rocky bottom out-

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side the bank, llie spawning season is from the 15th July io
the 15th September, after which period it is said, very good her-
rings are often taken, with a mesh of 2i inches.

The fishermen set their nets from Wilcox's Point, all around
the Head, to Bradford's Cove, on the western side of the Island,
a distance of nearly four miles. The nets are set close to the
shore, in about ten fathoms water ; each net is from 20 to 30 fa-
thoms in length, about 160 meshes deep— mesh from 2\ to 3 inches,
on the average about 2| inches.

The Southern Head rises almost perpendicularly from the water
200 feet or more ; the settler on its summit is named M' Donald,
who thus occupies the extreme southwestern tip of New Brunswick,
as Louis Gautier (mentioned in the Report of last year) possesses
its northeastern extremity at Point Miscou, on a low sand plain,
elevated only a few feet above the sea. The habitations of both
are almost equally miserable, although M'Donald has the advan-
tage of a greater quantity of land fit for cultivation, and enjoys a
milder climate, there being a difference of nearly 3i degrees of
atitude between the two locations.

Andrew Wilcox, who lives to the eastward of M'Donald, at
much less elevation, has a farm under some degree of cultivation ^
although the land is gravelly and poor, bis new potatoes, green
peas, and other vegetables, were excellent. Andrew Wilcox
stated, that he had lived at this place three year», but was- not a
fisherman ; he is on good terms with the fishermen who resort here
annually, and who are good customers for the produce of his farm.

The other settlers in the vicinity, not exceeding in all a dozen
families, are at open war with the non-residents who come herf?
to fish ; these, he said, had borne the annoyances of the Islanders
very patiently, and on the whole, had behaved exceedingly well.
It was stated subsequently by another party, that Andrew Wilcox
allowed the fishermen to land from their schooners and occupy
a grass plat in front of his house, for the purpose of mending their
nets, by which he had obtained the ill will of his neighboursy who
had subjected him to some vexations annoyances.

At night- fall, the fishermen set their nets by attaching them ta
the buoys, ropes, and pioorings, which are put down at the be^in--
ning of the season, and are not taken np until its close. At day-
light next morning, (30th August) when the nets were lifted, it
wag found that in all that immense number of nets, extending
more than three miles, one net only contained fish ; but, from that
net sixteen barrels of herrings were taken. Most of the nets were
set with their upper edge at the surface of the water, but some
few were set with five fathoms of strap from the cork line, conse-
queiiJtly the lower edge, or lead line, was very near, or actually
rested upon the bottom ; yet all were equally unsuccessful. Many
of the foets were thickly covered with herring-spawn, and in clean-
ing them., the decks of some of the vessels were covered ancle
deep. It was said to Ve no unusual circumstance fat the net-rope,
(9 thread latline) to be found in the morning as thick as a man's
arm with the spawn, while a vessel's cable would be increased to
the size of a five gallon keg.

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

99

It having been intimated that the writer was anxious to see the
settlers at this place, Daniel McLaughlin (Captain of Militia), with
Messieurs ilarvey, Worcester, Matthews, M* Donald, and Dyeir
Wilcox, came on board the hooker. They com{>Ibined of the
number of vessels which came upon the fishing g'-ound, considering
them as encroaching upon, and usurping a privilt^i which ought
to belong to the settlers in that vicinity, exclusively. They pointed
out among the fleet at anchrr, a large schooner called the " Moun-
taineer," belonging to Saint John, which they said had twelve men,
with four boats and thirty six nets, more than all the inhabitants
could muster for eight miles. Ihe fishery, they said, was con-
tinually falling off, and would eventually be destroyed, from the
reckless manner in which it was prosecuted, and the place being
over-fished. As the law formerly stood, each vessel was restricted
to 30 fathoms of net, and a boat to 15 fathoms ; herrings were then
abundant, and so were cod, close to the shore, where none are
taken now. As Uie herring come all at once upon the spawning
ground, almost in solid bodies, they are taken in such quantities
that the fishermen are unable to cure them as fast as caught ; many
are put up without being gibbed or washed, after putrefaction has
commenced, while quantities of rotten fish are thrown overboard,
to the great detriment of the fishery, and its permanent injury.

It was stated to these men, that the fishermen in the schooners
complained of their nets being frequently cut and destroyed, and
often carried off altogether. 1 hey denied most positively being in
any manner concerned in these outages, which they said were
committed by fishermen who came there in vessels, without any
outfit but '* a rope and a stone," but who departed with a full fare
offish, and a good complement of nets. As a remedy for this, they
suggested the appointment of ah Inspector, who should examine
each vessel as it oame upon the ground, and mark and register
its nets ; thus the vessels without an outfit would be known, and
prevented from plundering those well fitted. The Inspector also
should see that the nets were set at proper intervals, and not too
many of them in a given space ; and that he should have power to
prevent nets being set in the day time, as nothing tends more to
break up and destroy herring fishing. They pointed out several
gangs of nets, which, at the moment, were set for the day, the
cork line about two fathoms below the surface ; as the sun was
very bright, and the water clear, these nets were plainly to be seen.
The nets set on Saturday night were often allowed to remain in
the water until Monday morning, which they said was highly in-
jurious, as it undonbtedly is, to the herring fishery.

In September, the number of fishing vessels at the Southern
Head, amounted to one hundred or more; in 1849, the total num-
ber was 120. The presence of the Revenue Cutter alone prevented
a scene of disorder and confusion, as well as great destruction of
nets and other valuable property. After the nets were set for the
night, all the fishing boats were ordered to return to the vessels to
which they beIong>3d ; while the boats of the Cutter rowed guard
during the night, to prevent persons from injuring or stealing the
nets. Yet, notwithstanding these precautions, and the exercise of

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Beport on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

great vigilance, nets were continually destroyed or stolen, espe-
cially during dark and windy nights, when the depredators could
not be seen or heard<. It was said, that boats with old scythes
attached to their bottoms, had been rowed swiftly among the nets,
by which great damage had been done.

While the writer was at the Southern Head, the skipper of a
fishing schooner applied to Captain Dudne of the Cutter, for a
warrant to take some nets then on the ground, whieh had been
stolen from him there the previous year. Captain Dudne, not
being invested with Magisterial authority, could not grant a
warrant ; but he sent for the party who bad the stolen nets in
possession, and advised him to give them up, for fear of conse-
quences—but it was not done.

Tlie observations on this fishery will be found in the summing
up of this Report ; and a letter from Captain M'Laughlin, express-
ing the views »f himself and his neighbours in relation to it, is in
the Appendix.

Captaire M'Laughlin having stated, that he was thorouglily
acquainted with the mode of fishing for mackerel, so successfully
practised by the Americans in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and
Bay of Chaleur, he was requested to furnish his description of it,
which he very kindly has done, as follows : —

" The vessel starts for the fishing ground with the trail line out; if it catch a
mackerel, the vessel i« hove to, on the larboard side. The haiter stands amid-
ships, with the bait-box outside the rail ; with a tin pint nailed to a long handle
he begins throwing ovt bait, while every man stands to his berth. If they find
mackerel, the foresail is taken in^ and the mainsail hauled out with a boomt
tackle ; then the fishing begins. You haul tbt: line through the left hand with
the right, and not hand- over- hand, as you do for cod ; if yon do, you are sure to
lose your fish after it breaks wafer. VVhen yonr fish is nearco.ning in. yoQ
must take it, by leaning over the rail, to prevent its striking against the side of
the vessel, catching the line quick, closeto the fish, with tHe right hand, unhook-
ing it, with a sling, into the barrel — with the same motion, the jig goes out in a
line parallel with your own berth. You must be quick in case a mackerel takes
your other line, and entangles your comrades. You -fish with two lines, most
commonly seven fathoms long — that is, i» heavy weather: In calm weather, the
jigs are lighter than when it blows bard ; there is an eye spliced at the end of
the line, so that the jig may be shiited at pleasure. There are two other lines
used, called fiy»liue6, with smaller hooks ; when mackerel are shy in biting, they
will often take these. The fly- lines are only three fathoms long. Very oftea
the mackerel stop biting ; then the fifhermea take the gaffs, and work 'vitb these
until (he fish disappear. The gaffs must not be used while the lines are ont, as
they entangle them, and cause great trouble. No man must leavt the raii to
pick up fish which miss bis barrel and fall on the deck, aotil thu fishing is over.

" You must take care to dress your mackerel quickly, as they are a fish that
is easily tainted. Wtien you stop fishing, the captain or mate counts the fish,
and notes down in the fish-houk .vhat each man has caught. Then the crew
goes to dressing and splitting ; the splitter has a mitten on the left hand, to keep
the fish steady to the knife. Two men gib the fish with mittens on, to prevent
the bones scratching their hands. One man hands up fish to the splitter, while
the rest of the crew draw water, tc fill the barrels in which the fish are put to
soak. The fish are put in the soak-barrels back up ; in a short time the watt.T
is shifted, end ff>e fish washed ont for R.;Iting. The salter sprinkles a handful
of salt in the bottom of the barrel, then takes the fish in his right band, rolls
them in salt, and places them skin down in the barrel, until ii« comes to the top
layer, which he lays skin up, covering the top well with salt.

" Herring or small mackerel are th 3 best bait that can be used. These are
ground in a bait-mill, by the watch ai night ; if the vessel has no bait- mill, the

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101

fi{ih are chopped op with a hatchet, or scalded with boiling wator, in a barrel
or tub.

" When there is a fleet of mackerel vessels fishing, they often lee-bow each
other — that is, run ahead of one another, and so draw the fish toward the shore.
There they anchor, and put springs on their cables, wliich is done by taking a
strr^p outside the hause-hole, fastening it to the cable, then hooking it to a tackle,
and hauling it af), at the same time paying out tne cable. This brings the vessel
broadside to the wind, or current, and the fishing goes on. Boats may fish with
the same success as vessels, when moored in this manner.

" This is the whole system of mackerel fishing, British or American, and
requires nothing but activity and energy. These observations are the result of
ten years experience in British and American vessels."

Dark Harbour. — In rounding Southern Head, it was observed
that the water for nearly half a mile from the shore, was dotted
with buoys, casks, and floats, of every description, while below the
surface, there appeared a complete entanglement of ropes and lines,
so numerous were the moorings. Pollack of large size were here
taken in pairs, as fast as they con^A be hauled in ; but after passing
the isolated rock on the western si;ore, called '• Statue Rock," or
" The Old Maid," there was no more fishing. The cliffs rise
from the sea perpendicularly, to the height of several hundred feet;
the rock is trap in columnar form ; and these stern and lofty cliffs
extend about twelve miles along the shore, without the least shelter
for boats, and with scarcely a landing place, until Dark Harbour is
reached. This is so singular a place as to require especial notice.

Dark Harbour is a salt water lake, about one mile and a quarter
in length, and half a mile in width ; the water is from five to nine
fathoms in depth, the latter being the prevailing depth throughout,
except near the shores. It is separated from the Bay of Fundy by
a sea-wall of stones and gravel, about 400 feet wide, -vhich has an
easy slope seaward, but is quite steep on the inside, towards the
harbour. This curious and really beautiful sheet of water was
entirely cut oflf from communication with the sea, until 1846, wl en
a channel was cut, through the sea- wall, of sufficient width to admit
large vessels. In consequence of this admission of the tide, the
water within the harbour was raised permanently eight feet, and
very many trees, growing on the landward side, were killed by the
rise of the sea water upon their trunks.

On the western side of the channel into Dark Harbour, there is
a breakwater of timber and stone, to break the force of the sea
thrown in by the northwesterly gales, and prevent the channel
from filling up. When the rising tide attains a sufficient height,
it rushes through the channel into the harbour, with a steady roar,
until high water ; and on the ebb, rushes out with equal noise and
turbulence.

On thv^ landward side of the harbour, there are about fifty acres
of cleared land ; the soil is good, but somewhat stony. On the
top of the hill, which slopes rather steeplv to the water, there is
some good land, the soil a -leep loam. The settlers are John
Sinclair, who has resided here 25 years ; John Urquhart, 10
years and upwards ; and Duncan Anderson, a resident of 4 years.
There are also the son and son-in-law of Urquhart, who live on
the eastern side of the h'^rbour ; Urquhart hinjself lives upon the
glebe lot on the western side. Duncan Anderson is very intelli-

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gent, and furnished much interesting information. He stated that
the depth of water in the channel at high water, varies from 8 to
13 feet, according to neap or spring tides. There is considerable
outfall on the ebb, but fismng boats pass out safely, even when
there is 8 feet fall ; at low water there is only 2 feet in the channel.
During the season of 1849, the settlers caught 100 barrels of fine
herrings within the harbour ; but fishing vessels enter the harbour
at nightfall, shoot their nets, and leave again early in the morning
— it !8 not known what quantities they take.

Anderson stated, that a herring net, such as he Dsed, of 20
fathoms in length, 2| insh mesh, and 160 meshes deep, costs £3 —
made up thus— Twine, 203. ; netting, 20s. ; lead, 5s. ; rope, 10s. ;
floats, &c., 5s, — total, £3. He said there was great abundance of
beings along the west side of the Islend, but nets were not set for
them, on account of the numbers of dog-fish, which cut up the fish,
and destroyed the nets. The want of boat-shelter and landing-
places has, however, more to do with this neglect, than the ravages
of the dog-fish. Anderson said, that men without means should
not seUle here ; but men possessing some property would do well
enough. Inside the harbour, rock cod and small pollack are always
to be caught ; and sometimes these fish of large size art abundant.

The channel at low water was examined ; the botto.a appeared
to consist of large boulder atones, thickly covered with kelp. The
breakwater requires to be carried further out, in order to protect
the channel effectually. Anderson said the necess»ry extension
could be built for c£100, if notice was given the previous winter, so
that logs and timber could be hauled out, while the snow was on
the ground. He was employed in cutting the channel and building
the breakwater, and thought himself qualified to judge of the
expense.

It would be of great advantage to the valuable fisheries on the
west side of Grand Manan, if th-> channel into Dark Harbour waa
deepened, so as to admit vessels with the flowing tide ; and of still
greater importance to the coasting trade, as well as t*" loaded timber
ships, or other vessels with cargo, if the entrance was so improved,
tbat Dark Harbour might be a sure and certain harbour of refuge
at all times. Once within the sea-wall, vessels are as completely
land-locked, and may ride in as perfect safety as if in an inland
lake, however violently the tempest may rage without ; and upon
such a precipitous and iron bound shore as the western side of
Grand Manan, with nothing but certain 'destruction to the tempest^
tossed mariner who may be cast upon it, this sole place of safety
should by all means, and under every consideration of humanity,
be rendered easily accessible at all seasons, either by day or by
light, and readily found. A few hundred pounds might well be
spent in giving perfect access to this most singular and exceedingly
safe harbour, within whose lofty sea-wall, accumulated by the
mighty waves of many centuries, the largest ships may lay afloat
within a stone's cast of the shore, riding safely with the smallest
hawser, while a fearful surf thunders upon the beach without,
apparently with sufficient roar, and uncontrolled violence, ta shake
the Island to its lowermost foundation.

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay qf Fundi/. 103

The advantages of Dark Harbour, as a place of refuge, can
scarcely be appreciated by those not acquainted with its unusual
and extraordinary character and position. The preservation of a
single life is of infinitely greater account, than all it would cost
New Brunswick to render Dark Harbour easily accessible, not
merely by fishing vessels, but by ships of the largest class, to which,
when attained, it would affjrd the most perfect safety. The cause
of humanity urges the expenditure, independently of the strong
arguments which might be adduced with reference to the preser-
vation of valuable ships, and much costly merchandize.

Money Cove. — This cove is some two or three miles east of
Dark Harbour ; a brook flows down a very narrow ravine between
two massive cliffs, which rise on either side to the estimated height
of 800 feet or more. A slight indentation of the coast affords space
for a small gravel beach at the base of the cliffs ; and here Mr.
John A. Hartt, during the past season, erected a brush weir,
which cost £350. In this weir were taken several hundred barrels
of herrings of good size and in fine condition, differing materially,
both as to size and quality, from those taken near the Southern
Head, and evidently another variety of fish. These herrings were
only taken on the spring tides, at the full and ohang uf the moon,
as then the fish were swept sufficiently near to tiie shore to be
caught in the weir.

The bottom of this weir is composed of framed timber of large
size, sunk in about six feet water at low tide, and ballasted with
large stones of a ton or more in weight. Above the strong frame
work which forms the bottom of the weir, there is the usual Ijght
wicker-work of poles with twigs interlaced, quite sufficiciit to
retain the timid herrings, but altogether unfit to retain other small
fish of bolder character. The herrings will not go out of a weir
unless the opening is of large size, while all other fish will dash or
struggle through any opening sufficient for their passage, even
with much squeezing.

Money Cove gains its name from an ancient tradition, that the
noted rover, captain Kyd, buried two hogs*^- 's of treasure at this
unfrequented place ; and many credalous persofiS have expended
much time and labour in digging for the pir&te's gold, in the ravine,
near the roots of two old French willows, said to have been planted
there by Kyd himself as a guide to his buried wealth. The
ground appears to have been thoroughly turned up along the ravine
wherever soil was found ; but the much-coveted treasure has not
yet been discovered.

Long's Eddy. — Between Money Cove and Long's Eddy, is In-
dian Beach, so called from its being the usual camping place of the
Indians, who resort there during the season for porpoise shooting.
There were two canoes here, with four Indians, and the pelts of
several porpoises just taken off, were observed hanging up, pre-
viously to beting boiled for their oil.

Long's Eddy is formed by a long beach and spit of gravel, which
siketches to the westward of Northern Head. Within the eddy

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

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there was admirable fishing for small rock cod, with which the
water seemed perfectly alive.

There is a clearing at this place, and some land under cnltiva*
tion, apparently of fair quality. Mr. Cronk has been settled here
many years, and his two sons are settled near him. They have
three boats, and take 500 quintals of fish annually. They fish at
half a mile, to a mile only, from the shore, and follow fheir busi-
ness every day in the year that the weather permits, when bait
can be procured.

When the writer landed at this place, soon after sunrise, the
young Cronks had just taken up the herring nets, which had been
set during the night. There were only a few dozens of herrings
in the net?, several of which were damaged by the voracious dog-
fish, who had apparently carried off many fish entirely. Besides
herrings, the nets had caught six pollack, one rock cod, three
silver hake (merlucius albidus), and one mackerel; none of these
were injured by the dog-fish.

Several cod of the largest size were shown by Mr. Cronk, as
also many fine pollack recently taken. This situation is appa-
rently a very good one for prosecuting " line-fishing," which
might here be carried on to a much greater extent than at present,
fish of lar^ J size and fine quality being continually found at very
little distance from the beach.

Whale Cove, — Between Long's Eddy and this cove are the lofty
mural cliffs of the Northern Head, presenting a bold front to the
violent gales from northeast which rush with fury down, the Bay
of Fundy, and offering stern resistance to the mighty waves that
dash agair.jt. them, with sullen and almost ceaseless roar.

The land about Whale Cove is lower than at almost any other
part of Grand Manan, and appears to be merely a narrow neck
connecting the Swallow's Tail with the Northern Head. There
is but little shelter at Whale Cove, for when the wind is offshore,
it sweeps with great force across the low land ; the hooker was
forced twice out of the cove, by heavy gusts, before an anchorage
could be gained very close to the shore.

It was stated that the American vessels often ran into this cove
in fine evenings, and set their herring nets during the night, being
off again at an early hour in the morning.

Meeting of Fishermen.— In proceeding around Grand
Manan, the writer saw many intelligent fishermen, who were
anxious that some general meeting should take place to discuss
matters. It was agreed that, as the most convenient time for
such a meeting, it should take place on Saturday evening, (31st
August), at the Central School House, near Winchester's. There
the writer met about sixty fishermen, and explaiued to them
the imperfections in their cure of herrings, both pickled and
smoked ; and the improper treatment and bad cure of their dried
fish was also pointed out. They were told that they could not
expect to obtain remunerating prices, or find steady markets for
fish so badly cured as scarcely to be fit for exportation, and which
certainly would not be allowed to be exported if a proper system

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Ftmdy.

105

of inspection were established. The great and vronderful increase
in the herring fisliery of Scotland, in consequence of the excellent
regulations and rigid inspection there enforced, was made known ;
and the advance in prices which followed the adoption of improved
curing after the Dutch mode, was also shown — an aJvance so great
as to enable the Scotch herrings to beat the Dutch herrings out of the
continental markets, in spite of a heavy countervailing duty. The
fishermen were told, that besides foreign markets which might be
opened under a better system of cure and inspection, there was in
Canada an extensive demand for well cured fish, as also in the
Western States bordering on the great lakes. To this it was
replied by the fishermen, that unless the system was general, it
was useless for any one person to cure his fish better than his
neighbour, as he would obtain no better prices, all the fish from
each locality being classed together, and bearir . one price, while
that price was so low, as to afford no remuneraiion for additional
labour, or greater care in curing.

The writer having collected the numbers and description of the
boats and vessels engaged in the fisheries in his progress around
the Island, submitted the list so obtained to the assembled fisher-
men, who made some corrections and additions, when the following
return was declared to be as correct as could possibly be obtained :

Return of the numbers of Boats, Vessels and Men, belonpinp to Grand Manan,
engaged in the Fisheries. 31st August 1850.

Localities,

Mo.

of

Boats.

Mo. ot
Men in
Boats

Cameron's Cove,

Doggett's Cove, . .

Drake's Gove to Beucraft's Point,

Woodward's Cove,

Long Island

Duck Islands,

Nantucket Island, .. .. ..

Kent's Island,

Grand Harbour,

Thence to Southern Head, . . . .

Dark Harbour,

Money Cove,

Long'n Eddj, ..

Whale Cove

Total.

20
6

20
8
2

4
2

8
13
3
4
3
4

94

60
18
60
24

6
12

6

24
30

9
12

9
12

282

Mo.

of

Vessels

Ton- I No. of
nage of Men in
Vessels. Vessels.

2
I
4
4
1
2

2
4
5

24

22
11
20
104
12
16

16
40
50

291

8
4
12
24
4
7

8

20
25

112

RECAPITULATION.

Fishing Boatd, 94; Men in same, 282 : Fishing Vessels, 24 ; Men in same, 112.

The fishermen stated that the average length of the fishing boats
in use at Grand Manan was 1 7 fest, and the usual breadth of beam
6 feet ; five streaks on each side at? of birch, the rest of the planks
are of pine. They build few ceda/ boats, as they are not strong
enough for these rocky shores. Although short, these boats are
burthensome ; but they are not fitted ttf go out to those banks
where the best cod-fishing is found, and cannot with safety venture
any very great distance from the Island. On being asked why
they did not build boats of greater length and larger size, it was

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

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answered that such boats would not do, where the shores were so
rooky and greatly exposed, as the boats had to be hauled up alto-
gether above the tide in stormy weather, or they would quickly be
dashed to pieces by the ground-swell and heavy surf.

Some of the excellent Sheffie'd knives (made by John Algor)
which are in common use in the Bay of Chaleur, for splitting and
dressin}? fish, were shown to the meeting, and greatly approved ;
it was resolved that snch knives should be procured for another
season, as also a supply of the long-shacked hake-hooks used by
the Jersey fishermen, which are very superior, for that fishery.

It was stated, that certain places had been agreed upon by the
fisliermen as " gurry-grounds," or places where the oflfal of the fish
could be deposited conveniently by fishing vessels, without injury
to any description of fishery ; but the Americans were not included
in tins arrangement, and threw over their oflfal where they pleased.
Many of the Grand Manan fishers did the same ; it was said that
the " gurry-grounds" were less used last season than ever before,
and thereby the fisheries of every kind were greatly injured. Be-
sides the damage done to the line-fishing by throwing offal upon
the fishing ground, great injury is inflicted by its being drifted into
the herring-weirs, which are then said to be " gurried," and will
take no fish, for herrings will not approach weirs when in that
state. It was greatly desired by the fishermen, that some law
should be enacted, by which fishing vessels could be compelled to
throw their ofFal upon the "gurry-ground," under regulations and
penalties that could be readily enforced.

It appeared that there were then twenty seven herring- weirs at
Grand Manan, and several othera in course of erection. The
fishermen agreed very well, and were quite unanimous upon all
points concerning the fisheries, until the question of herring-weirs
came up for discussion ; then great diflferences of opinion were
expressed, and an unpleasant altercation took plape immediately.
Mr. Coddington stated, that one-third of all the fish taken in the
weirs were used for manure; this was promptly denied by Mr.
Guptill and Mr. Bencraft in the most positive manner. Mr.
Bencraft stated, that from the catch of his wiers during the season
of 1849, he put up 3000 boxes of smoked herringa, and 50 to 60
barrels piokled lierrings ; that as many barrels were used for bait ;
and during the whole season, less than 20 barrels were put upon
the land, consisting altogether of small and brokea fish. This
statement was corroborated by Mr. Dakin, a man of very respec-
table appearance, who attended Bencraft's weirs ; but it was alto-
gether denied by persons present. The assertions deliberately
made on one side, were denied in the most unqualified manner on
the other, and angry words were freely used In order to calm
the increasing excitement, it was suggested, that as so great a
difference of opinion existed, it would be better for both parties to
put their several statements in writing. This was agreed to ; the
storm was allayed ; and<before the meeting separated, one of the
persons present, whose name was not heard, expressed the satis-
faction which was felt by the fishermen there assembled, with the
conduct of the Government, in sending a person to inquire into

fsm

Report on the Fisheries in the Bat/ of Fundy.

107

tlieir state and condition, and listen to their representations, as
they were thereby convinced that they were not overlooked or
altogether forgotten by the Executive.

General Remarks. — Owing to the peculiar manner in which
the people of vJrrand Manan conduct their fishing business, it is
quite impossible to ascertain precisely what quantity of fish is
taken, or what is the total value of the fisheries of the Island. No
duties whatever are paid by the inhabitants of Grand Manan ; in
f>'ct, there is no person there authorized to receive duties. The
inhabitants take their badly cured fish to Eastport or Lubec, and
there sell them at low prices, taking in return such articles as
they need for home consumption. They pay no duty on landing
their fish in the United States, as there is a perfectly good under-
standing with the fishermen of Maine ; who, in consideration of
being permitted to fish within Treaty limits at Grand Manan, and
go on shore to procure bait, wink at the importation of British
fish from thence duty free.

Practically, the people of Grand Manan enjoy perfect free trade ;
they buy what they require in the cheapest markets, and they can
build and fit out fishing vessels at three-fourths the cost of American
vessels of the same class. Yet, with all these advantages, the
Island only owns twenty four vessels, the largest of which is 45
tons, the next 29 tons, and all the rest under 20 tons ; while the
fishing boats only amount to 94 in all, less than half the number
owned in the Parish of Caraquet.

Nothing so greatly surprised the writer at Grand Manan, as the
comparatively small number of fishing boats and vessels owned
tiiere, and the limited value of the fisheries conducted by the inha-
bitants. A dealer who has for some years been connected with
the busi ..ess of Grand Manan, estimated the value of the fisheries
in 1849, as follows : —

Produce of weirs, £5,000

Cod, Pollack, Hake, Oil, and Pickled Herrings, 7,000

The estimnte of the value of the produce of the weirs is believed
to be too large, but the second estimate may be near the mark.
The population of the Island is estimated at 2000 souls ; and
assuming the general value of the fisheries to be as above stated,
it is just £6 per annum for each soul on the Island— a very small
sum for a community so largely dependent upon the fisiieries for
subsistence.

The people of Grand Manan are active, industrious, and hard-
working, capable of enduring great hardship and fatigue. The
young men, from lack of employment at home, engage on board
American fishing vessels ; they get good wages, because they are
active, hardy sailors, excellent fishermen, and admirable pilots for
the Bay. The Americans say, " there is no better man on board a
fishing vessel than a native of Grand Manan, if you take him away
from his own Island." That the people of Grt^nd Manan conduct
the admirable fisheries in their vicinity very inefficiently, and with
but little profit, is undeniable ; and that something may be done for
their advancement, by Judicious regulations, and a good system of

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108 Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fandy,

inspection, is not to be dispnted. But even then, the greatest
difficulty will be untonched— and this is, the low state of education
in the Island. The Schools of Grand ^ia^an are very inefficient ;
and the people are not sufficiently taught, even in the first rudi-
ments of learning, to compete with their American neighbours,
who are more acute and intelligent, simply from being better
educated. The lack of learning is one of the greatest evils of
Grand Manan ; if the people there were better taught, and pos-
sessed greater knowledge of the world, they would readily perceive
the numerous advantages of their position, and quickly avail
themselves of the profits to be derived from it.

Campo Bello.

The inhabitants of this fine Island prosecute the fisheries with
great diligence, not only in their own immediate vicinity, but also
by sending their vessels to distant places to procure fares. The
fisheries close to Campo Bello, are those for cod, pollack, haddock,
and hake, by line-fishing, on the " sleeks" of the tide just before
high and low water, and at other times, in the coves, eddies and
passages where the tide does not set too strong. The common
herring (clupea ehngata) of small size for snioking, is taken in
standing weirs of brush. A larger description of fish are taken
chiefly in nets, called " Quoddy herrings," but which are believed
to be the species of shad, designated by DeKay, in his Report on the
Fishes of New York, as alma maltowaca. They differ altogether
from the common herrings in their habits, are taken almost exclu-
sively in " Quoddy River," (as the channel is called which separates
West Isles from Eastport and Campo Bello,) are generally without
spawn, and in the autunm are exceedingly fat and fine flavoured.

The writer is under great obligations to Mr. John Alexander,
of Welch Pool, for the very efficient assistance rendered by him
in collecting information in that locality. The following statement
of the fisheries of Campo Bello, compiled with great care, and
much labour, by Mr. Alexander and John Farmer, Esquire, a
Magistrate, residing at Welch Pool, is presented as furnishing
valuable information of much interest: —

Statement of the quantity and value of Fish, taken in one Beacion by the Fisher-
men of the Island of Campo Bello, in boats, decked vessels, and fish-weira,
owned by them ; the estimate being made np from the quantities taken in '849,
corrected bv the catch of 1850, so far as it has advanced.

Number

Number

and

of Men

Average

description

and Buys

Quantity and description of Fish.

price.

Amount.

of Boats.

employed

50 Boate,

100

50U0 qts. Pollack, per quintal, . .

58 6d.

.ei376 0 0

150 brls. Cod ^nd Haddock, p. bri.

lOs.

75 0 0

500 brls. Herrings, per barrel,

128 6d.

312 It 0

100 brls. Oil

65s.

325 0 0

lldeck'd

.52

1750 qts. Cod, per quintal, .. ..

lis 3d.

984 7 6

Vessels,

340 qts. >'ollack, per quintal, ..

58 6d.

93 10 0

400 tons

4600 brls. Herrings, per barrel, ..

128 6d.

2875 0 0

burthen.

480 brls. Mackerel, per barrel, ..

30s.

720 0 0

20 brls. Oil, per barrel, « . . .

658.

65 0 0

21 Weirs.

100

40,000 boxes smok'd Herrings, p. box

U6d.

3000 0 0

Total Je9,825 7 6

0
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0
6
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Report on the Fisheries in the Day of Fundy'

109

RKOAPITUI'ATION.

6,340 quintals Pollack, ;£ 1,468 10 0

1,750 do. Cod 984 7 6

6,100 barreUHerringB 3,187 10 0

480 do. Mackerel, 72U 0 0

150 do. Haddock and Cod 75 0 0

120 do. Oil, 390 0 0

40,000 boxes smoked Herriugs 3,000 0 0

Total value, .. ^£9,825 7 6

Campo Bello, Sept. 6, 1850. John Ai.kxandkr.

John Fahmkr, J. P.

This stateijient is compiled from actual inquiry among the
resident fishermen, and the totals are put down rather below, than
above the mark. With this document, Mr. Alexander also fur-
nished, in writing, the following interesting observations, by him-
self, upon the fisheries of Campo Bello: —

" Our herrings are taken in vreirs, and with nets ; and pollack, hadJock, and
hake, with the line. Several of our vessels run down to the Toskets, the Mag>
dalen Islands, and Newfoundland, in the spring; and to Saint George's Bay,
iu the winter, for herrings. In the summer, thej go to GVand Manan, and to
both shores of Nova Scotia, for herring, cod, and mackerel. Improvements may
certainly be made in our tackle and gear, but experience will be our best teacher.

" Our herring-season here, is from May until December. Pollack strike in
about the first of June, and the fishing for them continues until November.
Small cod and haddock are taken, to a limited extent, during the whole year ;
these are chiefly pickled, and exported in barrels. The herrings taken by our
vessels, in the winter and spring, at the Tuskets, the Magdalen Islands, and
the Bay of Saint George, as well as those caught, while spawning, at the Southern
Head of Grand Manan, are very poor, and any thing but iu season. They
generally find a ready sale in the markets of the United States; and from my
own experience, I should say, that the poor fish bring nearly as good a price as
the best. This arises from the difference of climate ; the poorer kinds keep
better in a warm climate, (as instance the alewives of Saint John), and answer
for the food of the slave population.

" I am led to believe, that there is much spawn destroyed at the spawning
ground, near the Southern Head of Grand Manan, every season. There are
but fsw spawning herrings taken here, as it is a small sized herring that answers
for smoking. There are but few herrings taken here by ' driving ' with torches ;
the fish do not ' play ' in shore now, as they did some years ago. There is great
diversity qf opinion as to the cause, and I feel diffident in giving an opinion.
The erratic habits of the herrings are well known — no doabt you have heatd
many opinions, and you are well able to draw your own cocclusions.

" With respect to weirs, and whether they are, or are not, injurious to the
herring fishery, I should say, as well from the opinion of others, as my own
observation, that they are not ; neither are they destructive to the fry of other
fish. Of the twenty one weirs upon Campo Bello, there are not more than two
that are dry at low-water; the others have from 6 to 12 feet water in them, at
low tide — and in manv of them, seines 16 fathoms long and 2 fathoms deep, are
used to take out the fish. It is impossible for fish to die in any of the deep
weirs; and the shoal ones aro too carefully attended, for such an accident to
happen. I am aware that there are conflicting interests on this question, and
very naturally so, as our people, connected with the weirs, are generally men in
good circumstances. Our American neighbours have the shores immediately
opposite to us, lined with weirs. They neither allow set-nets, or drift-nets, on
their shores, as they say nets break up the schulls of herring, and destroy them
by 'scaling,' (that is, by rubbing off their scales,) when they are in any large
body.

'* Our weir herrings are principally smoked ; as you have seen for yourself,
and taken notes of the mode of cure from those competent to give information,
I shaU not attempt a description. I would remark, that our best curers, in that
branch, do not put np herrings in any way inferior to the far-lamed ' Digby

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1 10 Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

chickens.' Our barrelled herrings are pnt np in the usual ptyle, that in, by
• striking,* and afterwards repacking in barrels, either with Liverpool or Turk'a
Island salt.

*' Small cod, and haddock, are put up in the snme manner ; the dried fish are
first pickled, and then cured on flukes in the sun. I believe many improvements
might be made in the curing and packing of our fish, for a dinereiit market ;
and no doubt it would be done, if other markets open to ns; but so long as we
are confined to the United States for a market, I doubt if it would pay. While
the Americans make so little distinction, there would be no object in curing our
fish in a better manner. I have seen and eaten the celebrated Lochfine herrings ;
but 1 think a well cured ' Quoddy herring ' vastly superior.

" There is another very cogent reason why it would not pay to put up herrings
in the manner pointed out by the directions of the Scottish Fishery Board,
reprinted in this Province — labour is very high, in consequence of our proximity
to the United Slates. At the same time, I am fully aware, that many of our
curers do not pay that attention to the fish which they ought to do. But so long
as the merchants will buy them, so long will the fish be put up in a careless
manner; in fact, the cure lies entirely with the merchant.

" There are but few herrings, and none of the fry of other fish, nsed as manure
on this Island. Drifting with nets is the only illegal mode of fishing practised
about here, of which I am aware, and that would be quickly stopped, if persisted
in to any extent.

" I have been at some pains to get you a correct estimate of the tonnage,
boats, and men, of this Island, employed in the different fisheries, as also their
catch, and its actual value, by approximating this with other years. I think you
will acknowledge, that if the other fishing districts in the bay ehpw as much as
we do in this small Parish, the fisheries are no contemptible part of the resources
of this fine Province,"

Several of the fishing establishments at Carapo Bello were visited
by the writer, accompanied by Mr. Alexander. These establish-
ments were found in excellent order, well and conveniently
arrnnged, and in good repair ; the proprietors appeared to be men
in very comfortable circumstances, who were prosperous in their
affairs.

Mr. Joseph Patch, a very intelligent fisherman, thns described
the mode of cleaning and curing smoked herrings at Campo Bello.
When the herrings are dipped from the weir, they are thrown into
a large boat which is closely ceiled. The fish are " scaled " by
men getting into the boat and working their legs backward and
forward among the fish, without lifting their feet from Hie ceiling
of the boat— sufficient water for the operation is dipped into the
boat with the fish. The men continue to work their legs until the
scales are off the fish ; if worked too much, the fish become
*' belly-broken " and spoiled. After being thus scaled, the fish are
washed in small quantities in the dip-nets, to take off the loose
scales and dirt ; they are then salted. If large and fat, the quan-
tity of salt used is a bushel and a half to a hogshead of fish ; if
the herrings are small or poor, a bushel answers. They lay in salt
from 1 8 to 36 hours, according to size — the average time is 24
hours ; while in salt, the fish must be kept cool ; when sufficiently
salted they are strung on sticks, 3 feet 4 inches in length; the
smallest fish are strung first, as the largest require more salt.
After they are on the sticks, the fish are rinsed quite clean in fresh
water ; they are then hung up in the bays of the smoke-house.
l*he usual size of smoke-houses, is 24 by 30 feet, the height to the
ridge of the roof, 25 feet. Mr. Patch's smoke-house is 30 feet
high, there are 8 bays in it, each of the usual width of 3 feet ; the

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy. 1 1 1

lowermost row of fish hang only five feet from the fire. It was
stated by Mr. Patch, thot he found by experience, the cooler the
Sfnoke, the better the fish ; he had openings made in the ridge of
his smoke-house, as well tp let ofif the dead smoke, as to make the
place cooler, and he admitted, that the fish which hung highest
were always the best. He uses any kind of wood he can get for
making smoke ; hard wood is the best, as soft wood fills the fish
with white ashes. The large fish require three months sm(»king ;
during that time they need great attention, and much good manage-
ment, especially in rainy or damp weather. When sufficiently
cured, the herrings are packed in boxes, of the legal size in Maine
—that is 1 7 inches long, 8^ inches wide, and 6 inches deep, mea-
sured on the inside of the box. The best quality of smoked
herrings are called " scaled herrings ;" these are the largest and
best fish. Those called No. 1, are herrings not scaled, and small
fish. A " scaled herring " must be seven inches long, fat and
good ; the *' No. 1 " must not be less than six inches in length ;
and large, but poor fish, are also branded of this quality. All
other descriptions of fish are considered refuse.

Mr. John Batson's smoke-houses were found the same as those
of Mr. Patch, but not so well ventilated. The mode of scaling
and curing was found to be the same as above described. At the
establishment of Mr. William Flagg, the herrings were observed
to be particularly well cured, and of fine colour; this " gilding " as
is termed, is given by the use of hard wood only, with which the
last smoking is done ; it imparts a rich golden colour to the fish,
and gives them the well known tinge of the celebrated " Digby
chickens." The difference between the modes of scaling, curing,
and smoking, in use at Grand Manan and Campo Bello, are
pointed out in another part of this Report, in describing the fish-
eries of Annapolis Basin ; and some of the • .asons are given, why
the smoked herrings of that locality are so greatly superior to all
others.

Mr. Flagg, who is a person of much observation and long
experience, stated as his opinion, that it takes herrings three
years to come to maturity. He has watched them carefully for
years ; and seeing them constantly in the weirs, from the size of
britt, up to the largest herring, he feels quite confident as to the
period. He has sometimes, though rarely, taken " sardines " on
the shores of Campo Bello ; only a few days previously he had
caught a single specimen of this rare fish in the Bay of Fundy.

This locality was re-visited in the latter part of October. Mr.
Patch then stated, that the herring-season was over ; it was con-
sidered a failure, as the quantity taken in the weirs, was only
about half the usual, or average, catch. The quality of the fish
taken was good ; not many small fish had been caught— he had
only thrown away three barrels, while his whole catch amounted
to 3000 boxes ; at that time, they were worth fifty cents, or two
shillings and six pence currency, per box, in consequence of there
being a short supply in 'the market.

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1 12 Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

West Isles.

This Parish includes Indian Island, Deer Island, and a great
number of stimll Islands and Islets, in Passamtiquoddy Bay, east
• of the Boundary l<ine of the United States. The inhabitants are
fishermen almost exclusively, somewliat peculiar in their manners
and liabits, but most industrious, hardy, and exceedingly hospita-
ble people. The best fishing grounds are on the British side of
the boundary, which is an imaginary line, passing down the mid-
dle of the channel called Quoddy River, and out to sea by the
western passage, between Lubec and the western end of Campo
Bello.

The fishing boats from Eastport, and other places within the
limits of the United States, fish equally, and mingle freely with
the British boats on their fishing grounds, near West Isles, where
the fish are most numerous ; especially near Black Rock, Casco
Island, and the big eddy near Indian Island. It is a very gay
scene on a fine day, to mingle with some two or three hundred
boats fishing in the big eddy, lying so closely together as to leave
little more than space between to pull up the fish. The writer joined
this animated throng more than once, in August and September,
when pollack were taken of large size, and in great abundance.
The fishing began either just before high water, or just before low
■water, on what are called '* the slacks" of the tide. The boats
then lay at anchor ; as few anchors as possible are dropt to avoid
fouling the fishing lines, the boats making fast to each other, stem
and stern. Thus they lie until the tide begins to run too strong,
when the anchors are lifted, and the boats then swing about, almost
in a body, with the different sets of current, through the passages
between the Islands, fishing " on the drift," as it is termed— the
fish below appearing to move about in the same manner as the
boats above. This continues until the tide begins to set too strong,
when the boats proceed to the coves and eddies near Campo Bello,
or some of the small Islands or rocky islets, where they drop
anchor and fish out the rest of the tide.

While the boats are congregated together fishing in close column,
they appear to attract the fish by the number of baits which are
let down at the same time. There are generally three men in
each boat ; all is life, bustle, and animation. The line is scarcely
down, when the fisherman commences drawing up a fish ; the
depth varies from 14 to 28 fathoms, and very often the hook is not
half way down, when it is seized by a fish. While fish are being
thus rapidly drawn into the boats, jokes and gibes are freely
bandied ; any lively story, or piece of stinging wit, passes quickly
from boat to boat, and laughter, cheers, and almost invariable good
temper, prevail among all, whether British or Americans. If one
boat falls short of bait, it is supplied from another which is better
provided ; and civilities sometimes extend to an interchange of
hooks, snoods, and fishing leads. When the British boats go over
to Eastport, as they generally do, to dispone of their fish, no ques-
tions are asked as to the character of the boat. If the American
boats enjoy the privilege of fishing on the best grounds within the
limits of New Brunswick, those of West Isles can sell their fish

Report on the Fiahcn'cr in the Bay of Fundi/.

113

at Eastport without payment of duty or charges. The good feel-
ing which springs from this state of things, causes the fishery
business to go on smoothly and quietly along the frontier, where,
under other circumstances, there would almost to a certainty, be
constant quarrels and collisions.

To an amateur, the pollack fishing in the Big Eddy, with the
crowd of boats to be found there in the season, is extremely
amusing and highly exciting ; but when the fish bite quickly, and
are taken of large size in pairs, as frequently happens, the work
soon becomes exceedingly severe. With the pollack, small cod
and haddock are also taken, with now and then a dog-fish, and
sometimes a sculpin or a skate of large size ; the variety of fish
tends to keep up the excitement, and lends animation to the
fishery.

In a Lecture on the Fisheries delivered a few years since by Mr.
Lorenzo Sabine, of Eastport, who had paid great attention to the
subject, the following description was given of the fishermen of
West Isles : —

'* Tn cloising my remarks on the fisheries, I feel bound to give you some idea
of a Bay of Fundy, or as we call him, a 'boat-fisherman.' In commencing his
picture, I cannot say that he is either so moral, so intelligent, or so industrious,
as ho might be; but jfet, I can say, that he is an improved, and an improving
man. Bred to the use of boats from his earliest youth, be displays rare skill in
their management, and great boldness in his adventures. He will cross from
island to island, and go from passage to passage, through frightful whirls of a
tide which ordinarily rises and fall twenty five feet, in alarming proximity to
rocks and bars, and in the stormiest weather. As a whole, he is a singular, and
withal an interesting being ; and none who have once learned his peculiarities,
will ever forget him. If he be naturally shrewd, (most of them are,) and past
the middle age, occasional intercourse with him will amuse, if not instruct, the
wisest and most polished.

" He is neither a landsman, nor a seaman, nor soldier, nor marine ; yet, ten
to one, if in the course of conversation with him, you do not find that he has
figured in them all. He is neither merchp.nt nor mechanic, bU no man better
understands buying and selling, or meni'iinn, altering, and making. He is no
doctor, but he will out-talk a medical graduate, and will shame him in a know-
ledge of ' livers,' 'back bones,' the means to cure ' rumatiz,' and the like. He
is no astronomer, and holds nautical instruments in high derision ; but he knows
all about the moon, and let him but hear the moaning of the sea — listen to the
scream of the gull — or the sound of the surf — and watch the cat's paw, or ' glim,'
in the sky — and he will reveal secrets, and disclose truths, which put him in high
conceit with his own wisdom, and shame the landsman.

" And then, seat yourself beside him, and hear him comment upon his dream
book. Listen as be tells you of the feats of the witch, that lives in his particular
harbour — or of the accidents that have happened from doing things on Friday —
or what have followed the signs and omens that he believes in. Then, there are
his tales of wonderful escapes — his 'fish stories,' and his sage conclusions in
politics — his notions of religion, or his profound speculations on the causes of
the high price of bread-stufis, or of the means employed to keep down the price
of fish.

" But of bis dress, and his professional gear — who shall do justice to them ?

"The oiled garments which cover his upper and nether man, he calls his
• ile-suite.' The queer shaped thing which he wears upon his crown, he names
a ' sou'-wester.' An article, neither mittens nor gloves, which protect his hands,
he calls ' nippers.' The matted and tangled mass which grows upon his bead,
and the long red hair, which under his chin answers the purpose of a neckcloth,
and in,(^Dnt of his ears, renders him impervious to a dun, he calls < bruslu' His
boots, he says, are * stampers;' and lest he should lose the moveables he carries
in his pockets, he has them fastened to his person by a string, which he calls a
' lanyard.' He nses one knife which he calls ' cut- throat,' and another that is

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Report on the Fishe. tea in the Bay of Fundy.

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a ' splitter ;' his apron is a 'barvel' — the box, or compartment into which he
throws his fish as he catches them, is a ' kid.' When he means to go for her-
ring, he sa3'she is 'agoing-a-driving'— the state of the moon favourable for this
purpose, are 'darks' — the bent-up iron hoops, which he uses to carry his burn-
ing torch, bears the name of ' dragon ' — the small net, with an iron bow and
wooden handle, which he uses to seci ;he fish that his torch attracts, is a ' dip-
net.' To another and a larger net, with leads on its bottom edge to sink it in
the water, and with corks fastened along its upper edge at regular iniervals, to
buoy it up, and preserve it in nearly a perpendicular direction, that the herrings
may strike it and become entangled in its meshes — to this be gives a name
indicative of its use — he calls it a ' set-net.'

" Nor ends his dialect heri-, Chebacco boats and small schooners are known
to him as 'pinkies,' ' pogies,' and 'jiggers.' All vessels he calls 'craft,' and
the only distinction he will condescend to make, is to append the adjective ; such
as larg^". small, nice, poor • craft.' He knows nothing about the hours of day or
night ; every thing with him goes by tides. Thus, if you ask him, about what
time he was married, he will ^.erhaps say — ' tother night, about half-flood !' — o»
what time he saw a certain mn:\, his reply will be, ' this morning about low water
slack,' — or, 'on young flood '—or, 'just as the ebb tide made.'

" If he has fish to sell, and you ask him their size, he well tell you they are
' two»quintal fish,' by wl :h he means, that fifty of them will weigh 1 12 lbs. His
boat anchor he call a ' killock,' and the rope attached to it he styles a ' rode.'
If he speaks of the length of line required on different fishing grounds, he will
say that on the Banks and in the Bay of Fundy, 'two shotts' are.used, and at
the Labrador but ' half a shott," and by a ' shott ' he means a line of thirty
fathoms. •

" Lest it should be thought I have made too much of this original, I beg to
remark, that !>culd any who doubt his existence ever shake me by the hand at
my own home, I promise to show them the very man ; and I Lave bestowed the
more attention upon him, because many of his qualities of chnracter and forms
of speech are comrjon to all fishermen, and because the k-.iives and other gear
a'-e in general use. Should any of you go with me to tha house of this singular
being, he will probably ask us to slay to dinner— let me then give you the form
of invitation, that yru may remember it.

"He will probably have provided something extra ; it will consist of bis
favourite dishes, to-wit — the three p's, — a pot- pie of sea-fowl, pudding, and pan-
cakes. The proper moment arrived, he will say—' come skippers, down with
your killocks and get some grab ; don't know as you'll like it, but our woman
has got us some fresh smothers, some duff, and joe-.floggies."

It may be remarked, that since Mr. Sabine gave this quaint
description of the " boat-fisbernian," which is copied from his own
notes, the labours of the Sons of Temperance have been very suc-
cessful, and have tended greatly to improve his condition in every
way.

Deer Island.

This Island is broken and rocky, the central portion especially,
and there is comparatively very little land fit for farming purposes ;
but such as is fit, is of good quuiity. Its harbours are good, and
there are numerous coves which afford excellent shelter for boats,
with deep water close to their shores. There is a very consider-
able number cf inhabitants on Deer Island, vho are all more or
less engaged in the fisheries, of which that for pollack, holds at
present the first place, in this 1 jcality ; the herring fishery is con-
sidered next in value, after which corae the fisheries tor tM)d, hake
and haddock, with mackerel fishing when ", is to be bad in the
neighbourhood.

The boats generally in use at Deer Island are from I2*to 18
feet in length ; the 12 feet boat has one man, the 18 feet boat
usually three men. These boats have sharp, or pink sterns, with

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

115

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one mast shipped very close to the stem, and a mainsail very
broad at the foot, stretched well out with a light boom, and run-
ning up to a point at the top. These boats sail uncommonly well,
and lay very close to the wind ; they are exceedingly safe in the
hands of the fishermen, who certainly manage them most admi-
rably. The sail is usually tanned with hemlock bark, which
imparts to it a reddish brown colour; a^5 the boats are generally
|)ainted white, they have a very smart and somewhat singular
appca:dtnce, as they dart through the narrow passages between
the numerous small islands and reefs, or sweep down in little fleets
of ten or twenty boats to tJie usual fishing grounds.

The first place visited at Deer Island was Chocolate Covc, at
which locality James M'Neal, Esq. J. P., and his son, both intel-
ligent persons, furnished the following information; — They said
that the most profitable fishing there, was for pollack and herring ;
the pollack average fifty to the quintal. The Deer Island fishers
have some difficulty in procuring bait ; Uiey are obliged to go over
to the American «ide, and buy it there from the weir owners, who
charge two pollack, green or dry, for a bucket full of small her-
rings. They said that herrings would mt "drive" as formerly ;
that the Indians by continually firing at the porpoises, have des-
troyed or driven th^m off, and the herrings not being chased by
porpoises into eddies near the shore, but keeping ouv in mid-chan-
nel, cannot now be "driven" with the torch as in the olden time.

The mode of curing pollack and herrings on this Island, was
stated to be as follows : — After pollack are split, tliey are washed,
and lightly salted in tubs and hogsiieads. During the summer,
they remain in salt three or four days ; in the autumn four or f ve
days. They are tlieu washed in their pickle, and piled in h'th ^i
to drain for 24 hours, after which they are put upon the flakes.
At night, they are piled on the flakes, in heaps called " faggots ;"
in fine weather, they cure in a week ; after this, they are spread
out again during a fine day, to dry the sweat. In the autumn,
the fish are not sweated.

H Trings, rfter being gibbed, are washed in a tub, and then
salted ; they lay in salt four days. If the pickle sours, the fish
are spoiled, as they taint at once. When taken out of pickle, they
are packe in barrels, on tlieir backs. Messrs. M'Neal said, that
herrings had too little pains bestowed upon them, and very many
were sent away to the country quite spoiled. From want of means
to buy a stock of salt, the fishermen used it too sparingly, and
hence, too often, the spoiling of the fish. The herrings here alluded
to, are those called " Quoddy River Herrings;" they are taken
from August until late in tbo autumn, by drifting at night, in the
same manner as for shad ; those taken latest in the season are best
and fattest, but it is then very cokl work sitting in an open boat
all night, and the fishermen suffer severely.

The smaller herrings, such as are generally cured by smoking,
were formerly very abundant on the shores of Deer Island. The
fiskermen of Campo Bello said, that the people of Deer Island had
broken up the .^ohulls, and driven the fish away, by the excessive
nse of small meshed nets. On the American side of Quoddy
River, the use of such nets is altogether prohibited.

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Frmdy.

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At Leonard's Cove, the fishing establishments of Mr. George
Leonard was visited. Mr. Leonard stated, that he had lived at
this place thirty years. He fishes principally for pollack ; but in
the autumn he takes small cod. He built a brush weir the past
spring, which cost £75 ; up to the 9th September, it had only
caught 75 boxes of herring ; but it had been exceedingly useful to
the line-fishers in his neighbourhood, by furnishing them with bait.
At Deer Island, there are oniy four weirs altogether ; in Leonard's
weir there is four feet water, at low tide. It being near low water,
the weir was vi«ted and examined ; in it were found a few vfery
fine " Quoddy River Herrings," about a bushel of small cod, one
lobster, eight mackerel, and som? small herrings, only fit for but.
Mr. Leonard qi ite agreed with Mr. F'lagg, of Campo Bello, that
herrings attain their foil growth in three years.

The fishing establishment of Mr. James Neill, near the northern
end of the Island, was also visited. Mr. Neill purchases many
fish from the fishermen, which he cures himself; his dealings in
fish are somewhat expeiisive. In his vicinity, hake are abundant,
and also haddock. At the time this establishment was visited,
(9th September), the oil made from the liver of. a hake, was more
valuable than the hake itself. The hake here were better cleaned
than at Grand Manan, but there was the same desire to oversa/t,
and make the fish weigh as heavy as possible.

Mr. Neill stated, .that the hake he cured went sometinr , i
Cuba, but generally to the Foreign West India Islands; the cod to
Boston and New York, for domestic consumption there ; the had-
dock were shipped to Cuba ; and the pollack were sold in Maine,
chiefly for consumption in the forest by the lumbermen. At this
establishment, 2621bs. of green fish were weighed as a quintal.

The practice of taking herrings on the spawning ground, at the
Southern Head of Grand Manan, was reprobated by Mr. Neill, as
highly detrimental to the herring fishery generally ; the quality of
the herring canght there, and thi? careless manner in which they
were cured from want of time, were also stated to be highly inju-
rious to the market, as depreciating the value of herrings which
are really good and well cured. An inspection of herrings, Mr.
Neill said, was greatly required, in order to raise their character
in distant markets— the herrings taken on the *• ripplings," about
six miles from Grand Manan, were said to be good fish, and needed
only proper care and inspection to be highly prized abroad.

A visit was paid at Indian Island to Mr. James Chaflfey, an
aged man, of much intelligence, who has long resided ther*^. Mr.
ChafiTey said, that herrings were not so abundant now, as twenty
years since ; of late years the quantity has fallen off greatly, and
they are now much smaller. He did not consider the weirs inju-
rious to the herring fishery, but thought the mischief was done at
Grand Manan.

When Mr. Chaffey first went to Indian Island, Britt were very
abundant ; they averaged about three inches in length. These little
fish were exceedingly valuable as food for larger fish, bnt from
some unaccountable cause, they have altogether disappeared, not
a single speutmen having been seen for the last ten years.

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fiindy-

IIT

With some trouble the number of fishing boats and vessels, at
the following localities in West Isles, was procured, viz: — Clam
Cove, Cummin's Cove, Mill Creek, Chocolate Cove, Leonard's
Cove, Lord's Cove, Bean's Island, Movvat's Harbour, Adam's
Island, Parker's Island, Minis*^er'3 Island, Hardwood Island, Fish
Island, North West Harbour, Northern Cove, and Indian Island.
The whole number of boats was ascertaiiied to be 99 ; and of decked
vessels, 27, of 577 tons i.glster.

The Coast from VEtite Passage to Point Lepreau.

The fishermen on this coast pay more attention to farming than
those of West Isles ; the character of the fish are the same, except
that the hake are in greater abundance near the shore, owing to
the bottom being soft.

Captain Jedediah Califlf has lived at "^^'Etang Island, entrance
of L'Etang Harboui, for thirty years. He stated, that hake is
the principal fishery near that place ; it begins in July, and con-
tinues until November. The fishing for cod is chiefly in the
spring and autumn ; Pollack fishing is had during the summer, as
the fish strike in— they run about 35 to the quintal. Herriniis are
taken during nearly the whole year, more or less being caught every
month ; they do not catch any of the large fish, known as "Quoddy
lliver Herrings," but they take the "blue-blacks," or "English
Herrings," as the fiahermen terra them — these are the fish desig-
nated by naturalists in America, clupea elongata, or, the common
herring. There are four brush weirs at L'Etang, intended to take
small herrings for smoking. The catch has greatly fallen off lat-
terly, and this, Captain Califf attributed to the enormous destruc-
tion of spawning herrings, and their spawn, at Grand Manan ;
he has been there during the fishing season, and seen their herring-
spawn, after being shaken from the nets, shovelled out of the boats
like snow!!

In the dead of winter, herrings frequently enter L'Etang Har-
bour in large quantities; they are then taken in "set-nets" of 30
fathoms in length, and 150 meshes deep — the size of (he mesh,
^2 inches.

The boats in use along the coast, are from 16 to 22 feet in
Jength, chiefly buiU of pine ; some fishermen put in a few streaks
of birch : the stem, stern-post, and keel, are always of birch.

When the fishermen need bait during the summer, they " drive"
the herrings with torches, and in that way procure the quantity
they require. It appeared that ht rings would still " drive" in this
locality, probably from the schulls not being broken up, as else-
where, by numerous brush wiers.

Between L'Etite Passage and Point Lepreau, the number of
fishmg boats was found to be 90 in all, averag-ng three men each.
These boats chiefly belong to Back Bay, L'Etang, Beaver Har-
bour, Seelv's Cove, Crow Harbour, Deadman's Harbour, Bliss'
Island, and Mace's Bay, where the fishermen are principally set-
ded, and cultivate the soil to some extent.

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1 18 Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fwndy.

The Wolves.

This cluster of Islands lies at some distance from the mainlr.nd';
on the largest of the gronp there is one family, that of James i'aul,
who constitute the only inhabitants. The fishing around these
Islands is chiefly ip the springs for cod, which remain about a
month ; aud in the autumn for hake, during a sliort time. The
best fishing for cod fs on a bank, about nine miles S-S.Fl. from the
Wolves, upon which, in May, some fine fish may be taken. Tliere
is also herring fishing ocoasibn ally; and fishermen from St. John
encamp on these Islands, when fish are to be had in their vicinity.
The VVolves are not greatly esteemed by fislrermen as a fishing
station.

During the past season, several hundred barrels of mackeret
were caught (chiefly by fishermen from Eastport) between the
Wolves arid the entrance to L'Etang; the British fishermen wert
not equipped for this fi^shing, or else they did not understand how-
to pursue it, for they cauglit a very f^w fish on days when Ameri-
can vessels ni«de a capital catch.

J 'j due of the Fisheries at West Isles.

Since this Rj^ t was written, a return has been received' fVom
Mr. John Alexander, of Campo Uello, of the vahie of the fish
taken in one season, by tlie fishermen of West Isles, which is
here given. It will be observed, that Mr. Ahexandier states the
number of open boats at 200, which is believed to be more than
strictly belong to the Parish of West Isles ; the return probably
includes boats belonging to the" neighbouring Parishes of Saint
(ifeorge and Pennfield", on tlie mainland, which fish on the same
gronnds — in such case, it may be deemed q^uite correct : —

Return of the quantity and value of Fish taken in one seaion by
of ff^est Isles, in boats, decked vessels, and fish weirs owned

the Fishermen
by them.

Boats, Vessels

and
Fi«h-wi?irs.

No of
Men.

Quantities and description of Fish.

Average
price.

Amount.

2UU ope.T
boats.

500-

20,000 qts. iiOllaek and hake, p qt.,
800 brls cod and haddock, p brl.,

58. bd.
lOs.

Jtd.SOO 0 0
4jOO 0 0

2,000 brls. herrings, per brl.,
400 brls. oil, per brh,

128. 6d.
65.«.

1,250 0 0
1,300 0 0

27 decked
vessels, 577
tous register.

156

3,756 qts. eod, per qt.,

800 qts. poHack, per qt.,
1 ,500 brl.<«. herrings, per brl.
50 brls. oil, per brl.,

lis. 3d.

5s. 6d.
12s. 6d.
65fl.

2,W9 7 e
220 0 0
937 IC> 0
162 10 0

7 weirs.

35

. 5,000 bxs smoked herrings, p bx..

Is. Qi.

375 0 0

Total value, A

: 12,254 7 6

BKCAPITULATION.

20,800 quintals Pollack and Hake,

3,750 qaintftis Cod, . . . .

3,500 barrels Herrings, ...

800 barrels Cod and Haddock,

450 barrels Oil, .. ..

5,000 boxe» Smoked Herrings,

Campo Bello^ February^ 1851.

..je5,720 0

.. 2,ioa 7

.. 2,187 10

.. 40« 0

.. 1,462 10

.. 375 0

0
6
0
0
0
0

jei2,264 7 6
I. Alexandrb..

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy. 1 19

With reference to this return, it may be remarked, that the
decked vessels of West Isles, like those of Campp Bello, follow
the fisheries at Grand Manan, on the shores of Nova Scotia, and
elsewhere, during the season, with much diligence and perseverance,
and as appears by this return, with very considerable success.

Eastport.

As the fishermen of West Isles, Campo Bello, and Grand Manan,
find their chief market at this border town of the United States,
the fishing establishments there were visited and examined.

These establishments are all close to the water side, with
convenient wliarves, landing places, cranes for hoisting, and easy
stairs ; the wharf room in each case is ample, and generally well
planked over. The buildings consist of large warehouses for salt
and materials ; buildings for storing and packing pickled fish, and
stores for dry fish ; and a large shop for cotton and woolen goods,
groceries, and a full supply of every description of article usually
required by fishermen or their families— beyond the buildings on
the landward side, is usually a field covered with fish-flakes, for
the cnre of dry fish.

During the past year, the decennial Census of the United States
was taken, and the writer was kindly permitted by Mr. Charles
Loring, one of the Assistant Marshals of Maine, to extras- from
the Returns compiled by him, the tollowing official estimate of the
products of the fisheries at Eastport, as returned by him to the
Government of the United States : —

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

121

In proportion to the number of men employed, this return of
products is very great ; but it must be borne in mind, that the fish
are chiefly caught by British fishermen, and carried over to East-
port, either quite fresh, or only pickle-salted.

The establishment of UphamJ. Treat, mentioned in the fore-
going return, is on Allen's Island, between Eastport and the
neighbouring town of Lubec. At this place, there is a very large
weir for taking herrings, in which considerable numbers are caught.
The arrangements for putting up salmon and lobsters in tin cases
hermetically sealed, are very excellent, besides which fresh vege-
tables, (green peas and Indian corn) with poultry, and several
descriptions of meat, are also put up, in similar manner.

The fresh salmon put up here, are brought in ice from the
Harbour of Saint John. The lobsters are brought in smacks, with
wells, from the westward ; when too many arrive at one time, they
are placed in the tide, in a sort of crib, or pound, enclosed witli
high palings, and there fed until they can be boiled and packed.
The first supply of lobsters in "the spring comes from the vicinity
of Portland ; as tiie season advances, they are taken further east ;
in August, the supply canie from East Machias. The price paid
at this establishment for lobsters, is five dollars per hundred, equal
to three pence currency each lobster. When the place was visited,
on the 20th August, no less than 1200 lobsters were boiled and
packed on that day. It was observed, that a great proportion of
the lobsters were males, many of them of exceedingly large size ;
these were boiled 35 minutes. The smaller lobsters (females)
were only boiled 27 minutes ; these were kept apart from the
others, and put up separately, as a better article, the meat being
finer, and the flavour nuich superior.

The white meat only of the lobster — that which is contained in
the claws and tail part — is picked out in a very expeditious manner,
and placed in the tin cases ; all the rest of the fish is thrown away,
or rather, is carted away to the compost heap.

The smoked fish here, appeared of small size, and were not well
cured. They had not a good colour, and hung fag too near the
fire to be of good flavour. I'he smoke houses were altogether too
low, and too warm for curing fish of good quality ; in this respect,
the Americans seemed no better than their neighbours on the other
side the boundary.

in order to procure exact information, the fish stores of Mr.
John French, at Eastport, were visited on the 22d August, and
Mr. French himself gave every facility, for which the writer's best
acknowledgments are due.

Mr. French stated, that he had been twenty four years engaged
in the fish business at Eastport. He was then taking in dried cod
at $2.50 p'^r quintal, and pollack, hake, and haddock at $1.00 per
quintal. « >i green fish, he weighed 262ft)s. as a quintal, at the
same prices, but the pay was not so good — that is — the pay was
all in goods, and not partly in cash, as for dry fish. This weight,
Mr. French admitted, would n.ake more than a quintal of dry fish,
especially at that season of the year. Pickled cod were purchased
at $1.75 for 200tt>s. ; for the scale fish, the price was $1.00 for

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200lbs., payable, in both cases, in goods. The prices of some of
the goods delivered in ■aynieiit were as follows : — Molasses, 35
cents per gallon ; flour, $6.25 per barrel ; tobacco, 25 cents per
pound ; pilot bread, 5 cents per pound ; navy bread, 4 cents per
pound ; pork, 10 cents per pound. These articles were all of
good quality, the pilot and navy bread especially.

The Grand Manan herrings are bought in bulk by Mr. French,
at $l.oO for 200ft3 ; with the price of the barrel, and expense of
packing, they cost at Eastport $2.50 per barrel, when ready for
shipment, which is just the price they sell for at Boston — the profit
is made on the goods that are gi .'en in payment. It was noticed
here, that the chiaies of the herring barrels were twice as deep as
those of English barrel* ; they hold can-hooks better, and are
considered superior in other respects.

Fish oil was purchased by Mr. French at $16 per barrel, a
hifjher price than usual, the article being scarce and in demand.
In the early part of the season, it takes the livers of 100 quintals
of pollack to make a barrel of oil ; but as the season advances,
the fish become in better condition, and the livers of 25 qmntals
will niiiKe a barrel.

Porpoise oil was bought at $1 per gallon. An Indian who was
delivering some of this oil to Mr. French, stated that ten gallons
of oil were usually obtained from six porpoises.

It was said by Mr. French, that when he first coramencetl
business at Eastport, the pollack were taken of very large size ;
they have since constantly diminished, and are still diminishing.
The small pollack — which the fishermen call "harbour pollack" —
when caught formerly, were thrown back into the sea, but now
they are split and dried with the others. The decrease in tiie size
of the pollack was supposed to arise from the great destruction of
small herrings in the weirs, thus diminishing the quantity of food
for t'le pollack.

Prior to 1839, there wafl excellent mackerel fishing in the
vicinity of Grand Manan ; these fish then entered the Bay of
Fundy in immense schulls, and the American fishers took them in
large quantities. But since 1839, the mackerel seem to have
shifted their ground, as no large body of these fish has been seen
in the Bay since that period. Mr. French stated, that he had seen
large mackerel, as fat as any he ever saw, which were taken on
cod-hooks, i« deep water near Grand Manan, during the winter
season ; and he adduced this as a proof, that mackerel do not leave
the coast, but merely retire into deep water during the winter.

Lubec.

At this town, which is about three miles from Eastport, and
very close to Campo Bello, great quantities of smoked herrings are
put up annually ; at one period, no less than 60,000 boxes T^^re
cured every season, but the quantity has considerably diminished
of late years. There are numerous smoke houses along the water
side, most of which are open to the objection uf beating, rather
than coolly smoking the nsh, as ought to be done to ensure fine
eolour and good flavour, as well as freedom from taint or rancidity.

1

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy,

123

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ity.

In the passage between Campo Bello and West Qnoddy, jiigt
beyond Lubec, there are extensive weirs on both sides, out to
the very edge of the ship channel ; in some places the weirs
approach each other so closely, as to leave but narrow space
between. The channel being crooked as well as narrow, it is
difficult for a vessel to get through safely after nightfall, especially
if the night be at all dark or foggy. The steamer " Commodore,"
having on board a party of delegates to the Railroad Convention
at Portland, in July last, attempted to pass out to sea by tijis
passage during a foggy night, but was fairly caught in one oi- the
weirs, and was compelled to remain there until daylight. The
misadventure occasioned some witty, and piquant remarks, at the
Convention, in coimection with the discussion of steam navigation
across the Bay of Fundy, in connection with a Railway through
the western part of Nova Scotia.

A legal gentleman at Easfport was asked, if the laws of Maine
permitted the erection of weirs, in this passage, to such an incon-
venient extent ; it was stated in reply, that the law neither
sanctioned their construction, neither did it forbid their being
placed there. The weirs had been standing in West Quoddy
passage, this gentleman said, for several years without let or hin-
drance ; and as the law was silent on the subject, tlie proprietors
conceived they had obtained what they called " negative approval."

In the channel between Lubec and Eastport, very large and
fine scallops were formerly found, and in all probability they may
be found there still. Major General H- h. S. Dearborn, U.S.A.,
now Mayor of Roxbury, in a letter to the writer, says i*—

" I was at Eastport iii 18-19, and obtained very large and excellent scallops —
peclen — Lut differing from pecten concentricus, on the coast of Massuchussetts,
being (oui times as large ; many of them were six inches in diameter. 1 used
a dredge>net, and procured them, between Eastport and the western end of
Campo Bello, in mid-channel, where the water was six to nine fathoms in depth."

The dredge-net might again be eniployed in this, as well as
other localities in the Bay of Fundy, with advantage ; it would
perhaps bring to light some varieties of fish not generally known
at present, especially of fiat-fish, resembling plaice and sole, which
are believed to exist in the Bay. With regard to scallops, it may
be stated, that they are frequently taken, in considerable quantities,
and of the large size mentioned by General Dearborn, at Mace's
Bay, northwest of Point Lepreau, where extensive beds of this
peculiar shell-fish are known to exist. Of late, the edible portion
of these large scallops has been put up by a noted preserving estab-
lishment at New York, and sold in glass bottles at a high price,
as an unusual luxury. They are much esteemed, and sell readily ;
80 this branch of business is open to the people of New Brunswick,
who have a large supply of the scallop, easily accessible.

The Fisheries of the River Saint Cnjix.

As several complaints were made to the writer of the state of
the fisheries in the tide- way of the Saint Croix, near St. Stephen
and Mill Town, these places were visited In Septempler last.

The River St. Croix* being the boundary between the British
Colonies and the United States, the jurisdiction of New Bruns-

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

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wick only extends to tlie centre of the channel of the river ; the
remaining portion '^ under the control of the State of Maine.
The fisheries on the American side of the river, are subject to the
supervision of the Fisliery Committee of the town of Calaia,
whose duties are nearly similar to those of the Overseers of the
Fislieries in New Brunswick.

The lower dam on the St. Croix is in the tide-way, between
St. Stephen and Mill Town, at a place formerly called the Middle
Landing ; it is a high solid dam from bank to bank ; and upon it
there are a number of mills— it is called the Union Mill Dam.
Above the back-water occasioned by the Union Dam, are the
Salmon Falls ; the St. Croix is here very narrow, and there is
considerable fall over a rugged ledge of rocks. Piers for a railway
bridge were being placed iu the rivt?r at these falls, upon which, it
is said, a factorv is to be erected. Next above the Salmon Falls,
are the extensive mills and dams at Mill Town, almost filling the
riv*r for some distance. At the American town of Baring, five
miles above St. Stepiien, there is a third dam on the river,
extending from side to side. There is a square opening in this
dam, intended for sluicing logs when the river is low — this is termed
a " fish- way," — for which, h<> »»'ever, it is said not to answer. About
six miles above Baring, at Sprague's Flails, there is a solid dam
across the river, called the " driving dam ;" in that there is no
provision whatever for the passage of fish.

On examning the Union Mill Dam, it was found that there was
no fish-way. There is a sort of " roll" on the top of the dam,
over which the waste water passes, and it was said that fish cotild
get over at high-water ; if so, it is most probable that salmon only
could effect the passage — if other fish do get over, it must be witli
great difficulty and very rarely.

At Mill Tftwn, owing to the peculiar formation of the ledges on
which the various dams are placed, there is a narrow channel, up
•which fish may pass, if it is kept free from obstructions. This
channel was found closely jammed with logs, and the water being
low, no fish, even of the smallest size, could pass. It was stated
by the millmen at this place, that when the water is high in the
spring, at the usual time for the passage of fish, the fish-way is
constantly filled with edgings, rinds, and rubbish, from the mills
above, so that it rarely happens a fish can get through.

Mr. Edward Sydney Dyer, who resides at Calais, stated that
his father's residence was near the Salmon Falls ; he was born
there, and resided beside those falls until after he attained to man*
liood. About thirty years since, salmon, shad, and gaspereau,
were exceedingly abundant in the St. Croix , the average catch
at the Salmon Falls was 200 salmon per day, for thrpe months in
each season. The gaspereau came in such quantities, that it was
supposed they never could be destroyed ; and the numbers of shad
were almost incredible.

Up to 1825, the dams on the river were provided with fish ways,
and while these were maintained tht> fis'.ieries of the river did not
diminish ; but in that y«ar the Union Dam, (the lowermost), was
built without a fish-way^ and the fishtiries instantly fell off, con-

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Report on the Finhorion in the liny of Fundi/.

125

tinuing to diminish ever since, and now they can scarcely be said
to exist. In 1846, the Union Dam was swept away by a grout
flood, and fish got up the river ; for two years after there was
very good fishing, but the rebuilding of the dam again put a stop
to it.

Ninian Lyndsay, lOsqnire, of Saint Stephen, one of the Overseers
of the Fishery for that Parish ; described the quantities of fish
which formerly ascended the Saint Croix, as something ahnost
iniraculous> The fishing in the river was good until a short time
after the Union Dam was built ; siiiCe which it has fallen off
amazingly. Gaspereau have become very scarce indeed, although
formerly thousands of barrels were taken in the river. No' shad
are now caught above the tide, and but few below. Before 1825,
shad were taken at the Salmon Falls, by a large dip-net, attaclied
to a long swinging pole, like a well piple. The net was heavily
leaded to make it sink in the swift water ;" it was then swung
round, and it was not at all uncommon to take two or three barrels
of shad at a single dip of the net. Mr. Lyndsay mentioned, that
some years since he knew a man who stood on a jam of logs, below
the Salmon Falls, with a dip-net, and who, in a single day, caught
118 salmon \ The whole catch of salmon, in the St. Croix, during
the past season, according to Mr. Lyndsay's estimate, would not
exceed 200 fish, and a proportion of these were salmon out of
season, lingering below the Union Dam, and endeavouring to
ascend.

In Mr. Lyndsay's opinion, suflRcient fish-ways might be placed
in each of the dams on this river, without injury to the mills or
water-power, if the mill proprietors could be compelled to construct
such fish-ways, and keep them free from obstructions. This, he
said, was admitted by the mill owners ; but the law was not
sufficiently stringent in its provisions to enable the Overseers to
compel the opening of the fish-ways, for which more summary and
eiicient powers were required. It was also stated by Mr. Lynd-
say, that the Fishery Committee of Calais, had expressed their
readiness and anxiety to co-operate with the Overseers of Fisheries
in Saint Stephen, in measures for opening the river, and preserving
its valuable fisheries.

An interview was also had at St. Stephen with William Porter,
Esquire, another Overseer of the Fishery there, whose statements
were similar to those of Mr. Lyndsay. Subsequently, those gen-
tlemen addressed a letter to the writer, which is here given in

full :-

" Saint Stephen, 6th December, 1850.

" Sib, — We have received yonr circular letter of J 2th August, relative to the
fisheries, and in reply, beg to state, that from the first settlement of this country
up to the year 1825, there was annually a great abundance of salmon, shad and

gaspereau in the Saint Croix ; in fact, so plentiful were the laUer, that vessels
om Rhode Island, of 100 to 150 tons burthen, followed the fishing business on
this river, and were never known to leave without foil cargoes. They had
establishmeuts on the American side of the river, where they salted the gaspe-
reau in vats, and repacked them in barrels, for the West India market. There
were also several seines belonging to the inhabitants, \. ..ich were worked in the
tideway of the river, the owners of which put, up, annually, from 1500 to 2oOO
barrels of gasperean for exportation, besides a sufficiency for country use.

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126

lieport on the Fisheriea in the Bay of Fundy.

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"Attliesame time, nhaJ were taken in great quantities; very freqaentij'i
more than nnu hundred would be caugiit \v a xinall net, in a tingle night. 'I'heie
flfth were alno eaiight in largo numheri at the salmon falln, by dip ueti, where
altin salmon were taken in abundance.

" Wo have known n lad, fifteen yearn of age, take SOO galmon during one
9en!«on ; and we have known one man with a dip-net, at the salmon faiU, take
!)0 to H)0 salmon, two days in si'cceBsion. Up to 1826, these salmon were «old
nt four to five cents per pound ; their average weight was about ten pounds each.
After the .Union mill-dam was built in 1825, the fisheries fell off very soon ; and
continued to diminish until 181(3, when that dam was partly swept away. Then
the salmon j«g«in got up the river, in considerable numbers, so that in 184S, to
the joy and surprise of the inhabitants, they were quite numerous ; but the re^
building of the dam once more stopped them, and they have since diminished
both in size and numbers. Very few indeed now get up the river, and we there-
fore advise, that an Act be passed at the next Session of the Legislature, giving
the power of getting at offenders in a more summary manner, as it never will do
to lose so great a source of wealth, when it can be so readily preserved.

" The Grant from the Crown, of the premises on which the Union Dam ia
built, is subject to conditions, with reference to the passage of fish, which have
not been complied with, and it has thereby become forfeited. It is to be hoped,
that after your Report is presented, the Attorney General will take steps to
enforce the conditions of the Grant, or else to revest the premises in the Crown.

Respectfully yours, &c.

Wm. PonxKn,
N. Lyndsay.
To M. H. Perley, Esqaire.

The premises on which the Union Dam stands were granted to
Abner Hill, of Saint Stephen, by letters patent, dated 10th Decem-
ber, 1821, which contains very special provisions. There is a
recitaJ, that Abner Hill the grantee, had presented a petition, getting
forth that there is a good site for erecting Mills in the river ? "nt
Croix, opposite the dwelling house of Robert Hitchings, at a °:
commonly called the Middle Landing, which is nearly m .j
between the Saltwater Falls, so called, and the falls below the Mills
at Milltown, called th? Fishing Falls, and praying a grant of the
preniises ; that the petition had been referred to the Justices of
the Peace in the County of Charlotte, to report if there was anjy
objection to its prayer ; and that the Justices, in Sessions, had
recommended that it should be complied with. The premises
described in Mr. Hill's petition are then granted tohim under several
restrictions and conditions ; the undisturbed right of fishing in the
river is expressly reserved to His Majesty, and all his subjects.
Among other conditions of the grant are the following : —

" Provided also, and this Grant is upon condition, that the said Abner liill,
hi» heirs and assigns, shall and will cause a good and sufficient fifeih*way to be
made in each and every mill-dam, which may be erected and constructed, in the
said river, on the said premises ; and that the same fish-way, or fish-ways, shall
always be maintained and kept in such a state of reparation, so that the passage
of the fish to and from the sea may not be impeded by such dam or dams ; and
also upon this farther condition, that a free passage shall always be left for the
floating down of ton timber, logs, and other lamber, from the upper parts of the
saii rirer, by all and every of our subjects. And it is onr will and pleasnre,
and we do hereby expressly ordain and declare, that in case the said Abner
Hill, hie heirs and assigns, shall not, or do not, fulfil and perform the said
several conditions, in every part thereof, according to the true intent and
meaning of the same, then this Grant shall be void, and of no effect, and the
land and premises hereby intended to be granted, shall revert to, and revest in
ns, onr heirs and Buceeseors." > .

the

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Roport on the Fisheries in the Tiay of Fundif. 1 27

In the face of so speciul a condition, it is really surprising, that
the proprietors of the Union Mill-dam should so long have been
permitted to evade its fulfilment, to the very gr^at damage, und
ahuost the destruction of the fisheries of the Saint Croix. A scire
facias on the part of tiie Crown, to enquire as to their compliance
with the provisions of the grant, would no doubt quicken the
perceptions of the proprietors as to the necessity of fulfilling those
c<mditions, truly and fairly. Upon the proprietors of the Union
Dam must rest much of the blame, for the damage that has been
done by obstructing the free passage of fish ; although there is no
doubt that the dams higher up in the river, have contributed tlieir
share, toward the general injury, for which there is such just ground
of complaint.

When the Union Dam was visited on the 4th September, there
were two salmon nets set, in open daylight, just below the waste-
way ; they were both on the British side of the river. One of the
nets was a very long one, and the two were so arranged, that it
was almost impossible for a salmon to reach the dam •, but, as if to
prevent even that possibility, there was also a net on the American
side. Not far below the dam, a party of Passamaquoddy Indians
were encamped for the purpose of spearing salmon by torch light ;
the fish not captured, were turned back by the nets, and then fell a
prey tothe Indians. Atthis late period ofthe year, thesahuon were,
of course, out of season, quite black, and almost worthless. If this
state of things be permitted to exist during another season, the lost
remnant ofthe once valuable and ext isive fisheries of the Saint
Croix will be wholly extinguished.

The two great branches ofthe Saint Croix, with their numerous
tributaries, and the large lakes at the head of each branch, present
every variety of river, lake, and stream, adepted to the breeding
and feeding offish. When this is considered, it is not at all sur-
prising, that such great and almost incredible bodies of salmon,
shad, and gaspereaux, as are described by every old resident,
should have passed through the narrow gorges of the Lower Saint
Croix, in their annual migrations from the sea. The wide-spread
extent and the magnitude of the inland waters connected with the
Saint Croix, are so well adapted to the propagation of fish on a
large scale, and are such favourite places of resort for all that can
reach the ancient haunts of the various species, that it will be
highly discreditable to allow the extinction ofthe fisheries of this
river,* now threatened with total annihilation.

From Point Lepreau to the Harbour of St. John.

There are several harbours and inlets along this line of coast ;
but owing to its rocky and rugged character, the settlements are
limited, and the inhabitants are not numerous. There are no
regular fishing establishments ; the settlers, in connection w^ith the
cultivation of the soil, follow fishing, chiefly with the view of
supplying the market at Saint John with fresh fish.

The principal fisheries are those for cod and herrings ; small
haddock are also taken during Ihe summer, but hake and pollack
are comparatively rare. Along the coast from Point Lepreau up

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1 28 Report on th<i Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

to Negro Head, just below the entrance to Saint John, cod are
taken with the long-line (or biiltow) from Christmas until the first
of June ; the best fishing is in April and May — after that the cod
follow the English herrings (clupea elongata) up the Bay. The
long lines, or bultows, with 350 to 600 hooks, are set at the distance
of one to two miles froM the shore, in about 18 fathoms water.
The hooks are on snoods, 3 feet in length, which are placed 7 feet
apart on the "back," or long line.

In thrt autumn, when the herrings again appear along this shore,
cod are taken with hand-lines, on the "slacks" of the tide. In
November last, fine cod averaging about 30 to the quintal, were
taken by hand-line fishing, between Musquash and Lepreau. At
that lime, very fine herrings had made their appearan je, requiring
nets with 21 inch mesh ; these continued to increase in numbers until
January, — and while this report is being written, they are taken daily
in considerable quantities. The appearance of large bodies of her-
ring so close to the shore, during the depth of winter, is an unusual
circumstance ; in generai, they do not approach this coast until
the latter part of winter, or in early spring, and then only in mode-
rate numbers.*

The fishermen of Saint John also prosecute the fisheries for cod
and herring on this shore, in their own boats and vesscels, whenever
fish are to be had. During the early part of summer they also
drift all along this coast, at some distance from the land, for salmon,
while later in the season they drift over the same ground for the
sea shad, then on the way to their feeding grounds in the upper
part of the Bay.

There is an abundance of lobsters about Dipper Harbour, from
which place the Saint John market is principally supplied ; they
are not large, rarely exceeding three pounds weight, and sell at
three pence to six pence each, according to the season and the
supply bropfjht in. If better arrangements were made for bringing
these lobsters to market, and for keeping them alive, when brought
in large quantities, they could be sold even at less prices, with
greater profit to the fishermen than at present.

Fisheries within the Harbour of Saint John.

The Fisheries v* ithin this Harbour belong to the citizens of Saint
John, by a special clause in the Royal Ciharter incorporating the
City, and are therefore under the management and control of the
CommoM Council, subject, however, to such enactments, as are
ir.ade by the Legislature, for the general /egulation of the fisheries
of the Province. '

The various fishing berths, or lots, within the harbour, are dis-
posed of annually among the freeraeft of the City, ?ind the widows
of frtemen, being residents, by lottery. The lots on the eastern
side of the harbour appertain to the freemen on that side ; while
those on the western shore, belong exclusively to the freemen

•While thi« Report ib being printed, Mr. John Sandn 11, of Saint John, writes as follows,
under date 17th March, 1851 :— " At present, w are talcing herrings, in nets of2J and 2J
inch mesh, in great abundance. 1 hare never kncv/n tliem to be so plentiful at this season
of the year. I should imagine, that from 2000 to 4000 baireU have been taken within the
last three weeks- -t^c poor fishermen have grt.it reason (o be thankful.

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fandy.

129

residing there, in that part rf the City usually designated as
Carleton. There are from eighty to one hundred lo*^8, on each
side, which possess some value ; varying from number one, of late
years worth about £10, down to number eighty, which may be
worth a dollar or even less.

The mode of disposing of the fishing lots in tlfis harbour is highly
objectionable, and in direct violation of the principles of the Provin-
cial enactments, which strictly prohibit lotteries in every form —
this fishing lottery being alone excepted. When the City was first
settled, sixty eight years ago, and the population consisted of a
/ew hundred families only, of whom very njany were engaged in the
actual business of tishing, it may l^-'ve been very proper to dispose
of tjie fishing stations among them by lot, as the most simple
and equitable mode of annual distribution. But the reason has
ceased long since. The w^ealth of the City has become very
considerable, and its population has increased to 20,000, and
upwards. Th.e fishing lots are now purchased by the fishermen
from tho:;ft citizens, or widows of citizens, who are fortunate enough
to draw good numbers in the lottery ; and it is not at all uncommon
for the wealthiest persons in the City to be waited upon by the
hard-working fishernjen, to know at what price they will sell their
" prize in the fishery." Th» sums received by persons in easy
circumstances for prizes in the fishery, are too often treated as other
*' prize nion?y," and wasted in the like manner.

Instead of distributing the fishing lots, as al present, in a manner
whic'i does the least possible amount of good, and inflicts positive
evil by inducing the spirit of gan»bling, with all its attendant evils,
it is proposed by the writer, that the fishery numbers should be .
disposed of annually by auction, and the proceeds appliea to the
formation of an educational fund, for the establishment and support
of a Public Free School, in which the cluldren, or orphans, of
citizens, shall have a preference dver all others.

There may, perhaps, be other objects of pul^lic utility, to which
the fund arising from the annual sale of the fishing lots might be
judiciously applied ; but there are, probably, few which could be
suggested, that would do more real good, or meet with more hearty
and cordial approbation fiom the great body of tht citizens, than
that which is now proposed. It is believed to be only necessary
to draw the attention of the citizens of Saint John to the existing
evil, and point ont in what way it may be turned to a great public
good, in order to have the object effected.

f.'iie fisheries of the harbour are those tor gasperean, shad, and
salmon, which enter it for the purpos> of ascending the River Saint
•John to their usual spawning g'^:iunds. The gaspereau, (alosa
tyrannus) enter the harbour about the lOth of April, or very soon
after. The first of these fish was taken last year on the I3tli
April ; on the 22d they were abundant, and the fishing continued
until about the iOth June. The shad (alosa sapidissima) make
their appearance about the middle of May ; these are closely fol-
lowed by the lordly salmon, (salmo safar,) which continue to pass
in large numbers until the first of August, although some, chiefly
grilse however, continue to be caught in the weirs until the end of
that month.

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

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The following letter from John Sandall, Esquire, who has long
been actively engaged in the fisheries, contains much valuable
information in a condensed form : —

Saint John, N. B., 2\st January, 1851.

Sir, — In reply to yoHr circular of 12th August, I beg to state, that tlie gaei>
pereiiu or alewiveia, spring shad, and salmon, are taken in this harbour by weirs
and drift-nets. The weirs are m»de by setting up nets of about 25 inch mesh,
upon tall poles. A great many salmon are taken outside of Partridge Island, in
the B;<y, by drift-nets. The tall shad are all taken in the Bay, during the night,
also with drift-nets. 1'he drift-nets for salmon and shad, are 40 uueshes deep,
and each boat has 200 fathoms of net.

" I cannot say much about the cod, pollack, or mackerel fisheries, as it has*
been found, that they will not pay out of this harbour.

*' The gaspereau fishery comnieiTres with us, as soon as the river opens, and
continues about six weeks; this fishing depends in a great measure on the
spring freshet. The spring shad come in about the middle ot May, but this
fishery is of little consequence. Salmon fishing begins the middle of June, and
continues until the first of August, but the weirs catch a few up to the end of
thit month.

"The groater part of our gaspereau are shipped to Boston, and all our salmon
are sent there, eicher packed in ice or smoked, and we have to pay a duty of 20
pei cent. ,

*' Herrings are taken around Grand Manan and West Isles, by torch-light, anc'i
by brush- weirs ; these weirs must destroy a great quantity of fry every season.

" The herrings and gaspereau, as saou as possible after being caught, are
placed in casks for the purpose of being " struck," as we call it ; when sufficiently
salted, they are packed in barrels, which should contain 2001bs. of fish, by the
inspection law, hut the law itself appears to have become a dead letter. It is
desirable that we should have a good strict inspection law ; it would perhaps cost
ns some sixpence or uinepence per barrel more than at present, but 1 am
confident we should be gainers by it.

" 1 know of no fish being used as manure, but it is notorious that the whole
of the Bay of Fundy is fished by vessels from the United States.

" The fishery in this harbour is graduiilly falling off, as 1 believe, from the
great quantity of saw dust thrown into the harbour, and the erection of saw
mills, and mill dams, on the d'd'orent streams falling into the Saint John, to
which the salmon and gaspereau usually resort to deposit their spawn.

" 1 would .ilso mention, 'that in my opinion, the deep sea fishing will never be
followed to any extent in this Province, unless there is some encouragement
granted to our fishermen in the shape of bounty, and also protection, by com-
pelling the Am-jricins to fish within the Treaty limits. Gentlemen may talk
about American enterprize, but pive us an equal chance with them, and if we
do not match them, it is our own fault. The American Government not only
grants th. ir fishertnen a bounty, but also a heavy protection, iu the shape of
duties on foreign-caught fish ; and when you consider, that all our fish have to
go to the States for a market, is it any wonder we cannot compete with them P

" I believe you are aware, that must of the young fishermen of Grand MauMi',
are lemovinp' to the United States, in cbnsequence of the high wages given theai
for their skill ;n fishing, and as Pilots in the Bay of Fundy.

Your obedient servant,

John ^ashkix.
M. H. Perley, Esquire."

In addition to this letter, Mr. Sandall has been good enough to
furnidh the following, as his estimate of the value of the fisheries
in the Harbour of Saint John during the season of 1850 :—

32,000 Salmon, which brought 58. each, i)8,000

14,000 barrels of Gaspereau, at 158. per barrel, 10,503 .

The Shad fishery amounted fully to .1,3'JO

Total» £20,000

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

131

The prict'8 thus stateJ by Mr. Sandail, are those obtained by
the actual fidhprmen, and at least twenty-five per cent, imist be
added for the net prices received from abroad by the dealers, for
the same fish. Tlie persons who packed the salmon, in boxes
with ice, for the Boston markei, l^"5t season, paid to the fishermen
an unvarying contract price, of five shillings for each fish, whether
large or sniall ; and there is good reason to believe, that the same
fish sold at the average price of ten shillings each, in Boston. The
price of gasperean, especially if well cured, was in the same way,
i7s. 6d. per barrel. Mr. Sandail states the orice obtained by
the fishermen, after deducting the expense of the barrels and salt.

The shad which pass up the river in the Sf^ring, are spawning
fish, of large si;«e, heavy with roe, and very thin. As a matter of
course, these fish hav? but little flavour, as compared with the fat
and luseituis sea shad, taken in the autumn, and are scarcely worth
salting. The value of the shad fishery, seated above by Mr.
Sandail, is tliat for sea shad, taken outside the Harbour, by drifting
<luring the night; shad so taken, atthough of very fair quality, are,
however, inferior to thuse caught at the head of the Bay, which
are fully described in the subsequent part of this Report. It is
much to be regretted, that the spring shad should be caught at
all ; they are of little value when taken, and their capture, by
"destroying the breeding fish, tends greatly to (he injury of tne
valuable shad fishery of the Bay, which ought to be mo3t carefully
preserved and protected.

Their can be no doubt, that the large quantities of saw -ust
ami fubbush from the saw mills, which have been cast into the
harbour of late years, have been highly detrimental to the fisheries,
and most injurious to the harbour itself. The writer's official
duties, as Emigration Officer, during the last eight years, have
rendered it necessary for him to be nuu^; afloat within the harbour
every season, and to visit Partridge lalaiid at its t'ntrance very
frequently. The damage done t he harbour within that period,
and the injury to its navigation, specially for large vessels, can
scarcely be appreciated by those who have not y< atched its progre.ss,
or exaiuiued.its results.

The great floods of the Saint John, occasione'1 by the nv Iting of
the snow and ice at the close of winter, or by heavv rains at other
periods, bring down large quantities of fine silt, or alluvial mat r,
rendering the water at those periods extremely turbid. This allu-
vial matter encounters the saw dust in the harbour, >d jointly,
they form a deposit, which soon attains much solidity wherever it
happens to rest. The western channel into the harbou<- has
shoaled very considerably, as well from the deposit of silt v saw
dust, as the aggregation of slabs, rinds, and edgings, sunk

there; while the bar at the eastern end of Partridge island, is
found to extend and increase, year by year, threatening to damage
the eastern channel very considerably.

It is the Apinion of several competent persons, that an expendi-
tore of £10,000 wovild not probably bring those channels into the
same oonJition and fitness for navigation, as existed prior to 1810.
Notwithstanding the able and careful Report of the ComniissioDera

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy:

appointed to inquire into the saw dust nuisance in the Harbour of
Saint John, (printed in the Appendix to the Assembly Journals^
for 1849,) the evil vfill probably continue to increase, until the
Legisltture is called upon to make a large appn)priation for im-
proving the navigation of this fine harbour, which must be done
at no very distant day, if the present state of things is allowed to-
con tin ue.

The "^eirs in the Harbour of Saint Jolm, as described by Mr.
Sandall, are nmde with nets stretched on long poles, and they are
all dry at law water. Fronrthe bench, at high water, a net is
stretched out toward low water mark, at right angles to the shore ;
this is called a leader— it serves to conduct the ifislv throi^h nar-
row openings, into tl>e circiriar chamber, also formed of nets onr
poles, from which they are taken when tlve tide is out. This
description of weir is sometinres called a " fyke," — nothing can
escape from it, Hi>less it be so small as ta pass througli the meshe»
of the net.

(»reat quantities of gaspeTemT*and saTmon are taken in the har-
bour by drilt-nets ; and although this mode of fishtng is prohibited
by law, yet it is opeidy toUo»Ted in broud day Irgli't. Some year*
ago, attempts were n)ade by the Overseers ot the Fishery, to pre-
vent drifting in tlie harbour; biit latterly they rmve looked on-
quietly> and allowed the ftbhermeri to dw as tliey pleased.

The Common Ctwincil have, more rect*ntly, gone a step further.
By a bye-law for regulating the fisheries within the limits of tire
City of Saint John, passed by that body on the 4th December
last, it is provided, that " no drift-net shalt be used after the tenth'
day of June, rii any year, for the wirpose of catchir^ fish, in any
part of the Harbour of Saint John, on the westerly side of Partridge
Island, nor within, or to the northward of straight lines to be drawn,
the one from a point commonly called Black Point, on tl»e western
side of the .said harbour, to the most westerly point on the said
Island, and the n*'" r from the most easterly point on the same
Island, to a point caHf^d Lower Battery Point, on the eastern side
of the said harbour, under tl>e penalty ef ien pounds for each and
every oflfence."

This bye* law, by fmp^ication, sanctions the use of drift-nets up
to the 10th day of Sime in each season, and i« believed to ^e m
dir?ct violation of the Acts of Assembly relating to tlie fisheries.

The use of nets on the Sabbath, is prdiibited by tlte law of the
Province, and although dritt-nets are n»t generally used on that
day within the Harbour of Saint John, yet it is not at all unusual
to see them en»ployed on the Sunday, by parties who appear
perfectly ii>different to public opinion, for no other force is qsed
to prevent this desecration of the Sabbath. The weirs are
fisl>ed on that day, as on other days of the week, and they
generally g?t a better catch oi^ Sunday, ewiitg to the drift-nets
being less used.

In Ireland, where this description of weir is much employed for
salmon fishing outside, or to seaward, of the nwuths of rivers
usually frequented by salmon, it is required by law, that the nets
shall be lifted out of the water at the fiirst time of low water after

on

dfor

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nets

after

Report ou the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundj/. 433

Saturday at noon, and tliey must not be set again, until after
sunrise on Monday morning.*

This whol^spnue an^l judicious regulation, ought, for a variety of
reasons, to be strictly enforced at Saint .loiin ; and it is somewhat
surprising that " The City F'aUiers" should have neglected this
■very important provision in tJieir bye-law.

If tlie citizens of Saint John desire that laws should be made and
fitricly cr-fwioru, for the protection and preservation of fish after
they have .ascended tlve Saint John, and reached tlieir spawning
grounds in its tributaries, they must set the example of obedience
to the laws within their own limits, by fishing in a fair and proper
manner, and only during six days of the week. Tlie fishermen of
Saint John exclaim loudiy, and not without cause, a;4ainst nulls,
mill <lan)S, and other obstacles to the free passage of -the fish up to
their spawning beds; they denounce iii the strongest manner, and
very justly, the practice of taking salmon by torch and spear, after
reaching ihv.p^ beds, and when out t>f season.; they deprecate in
tinmeasured terms, the casting of saw -dust and mill rubbish, into
streams /requented by spawjiingfish, which is undoubtedly produc-
tive of serious injury to the fisheries, by diminishing the propaga-
ti(m of the various species wJiich breed in fresh water; but at the
jsume moment, they are v-ery likely prosecuting the fisiieriesat the
entrance of the Saint John every day in the week, Sunday not
excepted, and -by modes of fishing, which in some respects, are
lequally objectionable, as nell as illegal.

The River Saint John and its Tributaries.

The gagpereau and slu^d rarely ascend the Saint John higher
than Fredericton, about eighty miles from the sea, — four miles
above whicii the "^ vift water a<id strong rapids commence. Their
favourite places of resort are Darlin'g's Lake, (a part of the
Kennebecasis River,) tlie Ocknubog Lake, the Wasliademoak
Lake, the Grand Lake, and the Oromocto River; all pieces of
water ratlier sluggish in their. character, and generally with muddy
bottoms. Jn passing up tlie rivers to their sjiawjiing grounds,
jtnauy gaspereau and siuid are caught by the inhabitants, chiefly
during the night, in set-nets.

Salmon proceed up the Saint John to the Grand Falls, upwards
of 200 miles from the sea.; and they ascend many of its branches
and tributaries, for very coiksiderable distances. The writer, at
variaus periods, and at different seasons of the year, having tra-
"versed the Saint John, from Partridge Island to the head of Lake
Temiscouata, (about 300 miles) and ^r-oceeded Aip nearly all its
principal tributaries, generally in light canoes, is enabled to offer a
.general view of the state of the different rivers usually resorted to
by spawning fish from the «ea.

The first river which the fish enter, after passing tlie Falls above
the Harbour of Saint Jtihn, is the Kennebecasis, flowing in from
the eastward. Salmon ascend the main stream to Sussex Vale ;
^nd also the Hammond River, one of its branches, to Titus' mill

*See Brabazuii on the Deep Se« Fitiherijs ot Ireland, page 5S, where al«u '-'ill be toiind
adeficription of this mode ot'fittuiig>.wilh di'awJiigB ot'tbeiiets, aud the manuerolArrangiiif
tliem.

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134

Report on (He Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

dam, which has no fish-vray, and stops their further progrps»
upward to their former spawning grounds, very far up that river.
I'Voin Darling's Lake to Titus' mill-dam^ on this tributary, and
from Hampton Ferry to the head of Sussex Vale, on the main,
stream, the salmon are hunted and destroyed, in every possible
way, by nets, and with torch and spear, — in season, ami out of
season. The inhabitants appear to be^ actuated by an insane
desire to destroy every salmon which appears in these rivers; and
DO sooner is it reported, that salmon have been seen, in any par-
ticular pool, than the whole neighbourhood is in commotion,^ with
preparations fi»r their destrnctien — the fish are pursued with
untiring aeal, until all are captured, except a very few, wliich^
perhaps, escape to some place of shelter and safety.

The next river, in ascending the Saint John, i» the Nerepis^
which fall* in from the westward. This is a swift-flowing river,,
with a rocky and gravelly bed. In the summer season, there is-
but little water in it ; but it is subject to sudden floods, fnxu the
high hills in its vicinity, which pour down gr>'at bodies ef water
after rain storms. Fortunately^ there aue ik> mill-dams on this-
river, and therefore,, no obstruction, to the free passage of fish.
The spawning grounds are far up the Xerepis, in secluded places,
near springs of very cold water ; and, as the salmon are able to>
reach these distant spots, they breed m.comparativf safety. Tltere
is a valuable salmon fishery near tlve entrance to this river, at
Brittain's Point, (Alwingtoi> ]Vtanor,> where from ^500 to 200O
salmon have been taken annually, for a long succession of years.

The Washademoak is next in order, ascending ; it enters fron*
the eastward. Gaspereau and shad go into the lake ;. but salmon
pass through it, and ascend the New Canaan River, wiiich feeds it.
Here they are caught in considerable numbers, without regard to*
season ; but it is believed that many fish are bred in these waters.

The Jemseg is a narrow, deep channel, which connects the
Grand Lake with tlw River Saint John ; its entrance is tJuee
miles above Gagetown, flowing in fronj the eastward. Salmons
pass through the Grand Lake, in order to ascend tlie Sahnon and
Gaspereau Rivers, at its eastern extremity. The Gaspereau River
is now barred at its very entrance by a mill-dam, which wholly
excludes fish from that river. The Salmon River was also barred
by a dam for some years ; Intt this was swept away by a flood,,
about seven years ago. and salmon have returned to the river m
large numbers, as it is a favourite breeding place. They are,,
however, poacl>ed and destroyed in every way, throiighout the
entire* season, both by Indians and lumbermen, in every part ot
this fine stream, »p to the Richibucto Kortage, and even beyond it.

TI>e Oromocto, as its name implies, is a dt*ep river, entering;
the Saint John from tl>e westward. Foi twenty niiles, or more»
it is navigable for vessels of sixty tons burthen, or river steamers
of large class. Then it separates into two brandies, both flt)v»-injjp
£rom lar^ lakes, np to which, salmon, shad, and gaspereau formerly
ascended; but now they are prevented by mill-dams, on eacut
branch, at short distances above navigable water. The dam on the
Soutli Bcaoch has ua fij$h.-way, and that obl the Nocth. Branch basi

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a sort of sluice, intended as a fish-way, but it is not sufficient.
Many gaspereau have been caught belovr this dam, while struggling
to get up to the Oroniocto Lake, formerly a favourite haunt.

Tlie Nashwaak flows into the Saint John from the eastward,
nearly opposite the City of Fredericton. Salmon formerly-
ascended this river, for forty miles or more, but are now prevented
by the substantial mill-dam which crosses the river, from bank to
bank, about three miles from its mouth. From the vigour with
which the salmon have been persecuted below tlie dam, while
struggling to ascend, very few are now taken in the river, and
shortly, they will cease entirely to frequentf its bright and swift-
flowing waters.

Between Fredericton and Woodstock, several small tributaries
enter the Saint John, from both sides, in most of which there are
mill-dams. The Maduxnakeag, at. Woodstock, formerly abounded
with salmon ; but the mill-dam at its mouth now excludes them
altogether. The Begaguimic, above Woodstock, is also closed by
a dam at its entrance ; while other small rivers, up to the Tobique,
are also obstructed, in a greater or less degree.

The Tobique is a magnificent river, which waters a wide extent
of country, east of the Saint John. A mill-dam which was
erected at the Red Rapids, about fourteen miles above its month,
was cut away by the lumbermen, because it obstructed the navi-
gation, and wjts therefore a public nuisance There is nothing
now to prevent salmon ascending this river, and very many still
go up it every year ; anciently, they passed up in thousands.
There is an Indian village at the mouth of the Tobique, which is
the principal settlement of the Milicetes of the Saint John ; and
these Indians, aided by lumbermen, and poachers of all shades, from
every clime and country, pursue the salmon up to the very sources
of the river, and destroy them by every species of contrivance,
without the slightest regard to season, or the condition of the fish.

The Arestook is another noble tributary of the Saint John,
entering it fr«)m the westward, about two miles above the T<tbique,
on the opposite side. Owing to some lofty falls on this river, about
four miles from its mouth, and within British territory, salmon can
ascend it no farther, and here also, they are suljected to great
slaughter. Very few salmon ascend the Saint John above the
Arestoojc, although some occasitmally reach the basin beluW the
Grand Falls; when they do, they are netted and speared in such
an effective manner, that few ever escape.

From this brief notice of the principal tributaries of the Saint
John, frequented by salmon, it will be seen how greatly fish-ways
are required in the various mill-dams, and the necessity that exists
for some superintendence over these rivers, as otherwise the breed-
ing fish will be wholly destroyed ere many years elapse, and the
valuable fishery in the Harbour of Saint John, and along the lower
part of the river, will scarcely exist.

The attention of the fishermen of the City of Saint John ia
especially directed to this important matter ; they, and all others
interested in the preservation of the salmon fishery of the Saint
John, now exceedingly valuable, and yearly becoming more so,

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should exert themselves, by all legitimate means, to maintain, and
if possible, increase the fishery. A small 8ubscription might be
set on foot, to send fit persons up some of the principal rivers,
especially the Nerepis, the Salmon River at Grand Lake, and the
Tobiqne, to prevent the destruction of breeding fish there. Under
proper enactments, and efficient management, great good would
speedily arise, without any very serious expense. The numbers
of salmon woidd be found to increase, as rapidly as they have done
in tiiose rivers of Ireland and Scotlanc*, which, when nearly
exhausted, have been^ again filled with fish in abundance, after ^
few years watching and preservation.

From the Harbour of Saint John fir^stwardly to Cape Enrag^.

This line of coast is generally bold, and rocky ; up to Point
Wolf it is fully entitled to be designated an "iron-hound shore."
The harbours are few and small, and accessible only at high water,
or a little before. There are no regular fishing establishinenits ;
and fishing is followed by the settlers on the coast, in an irregular
and desultory manner, just as fish happen to strike in, or as it suits
their convenience.

The first inlet east of Saint John, is Port Simonds ; at its head
it receives the Mispeck River, which flows out of Loch Lomond.
Formerly, salmon ascended the Mispeck and were caught in the
Loch ; but they were wholly excluded from the river about twenty
five years ago, by mill-dams just above the tide-way, and none
have since been seen in it. Occasionally, some few salmon are
yet caught in the Port, as also herrings. In .June and July, there
is tolerable line-fishing for cod and pollack, near Black Rock, at
the "slacks "of the tide.

Cape Spencer is a bold promontory stretching out into the Bay,
and causing a very poweful race, or tide-rip. In the season,
pollack may be taken in this race in great nunibers, but it is con-
sidered a dangerous fishing ground. Beyond Cape Spencer, the
shore is bold and loftv to Black River, which finds its wav to the
sea, through a very narrow gap with high clifls, on either side.
Thtre is a solid dam without a fish-way across Black River;
beyond this, the shores are not so high, a nPirrow slip of the red
sandstone formation comntencing a little esst of Black River, and
continuing about eight miles along the coat»t, being in that distance
intersected by Emerson's Creek, and Gardner's Creek. Up both
these creeks, salmon formerly ascended to spawn ; but mill-dams,
without fish-ways, now exclude them. At Gardner's Creek, there
is an exceedingly fine farm on the red sandstone formation, occu-
pied by Messrs. Dewar, which is in a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Peter Dewar stated, that capelin cou)e in on this shore early
in June ; he has seen them in great abundance, at various periods,
not only here, but also at Quaco. When the capelin are in, cod
are also abundant; but after the capelin leave, haddock only are
taken during the summer, but tbr*y are very numerous. H rrings
strike in here tvery season, but the quantity varies greatly.
During the season of 1850, Messrs. Cunningham, who live to the
eastward of Gardner's Creek, caught twenty five barrels of herring

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

13T

with one net only, twenty fathoms long and one hnndred and
twenty meshes deep — the mesh two and a half inches. Tlie her-
rings nmke their appearance about the Iflth of Jun?, or soon after,
and the fishing for them continues until rhe end of Augusi; they
are full fish, nearly ready to spawn. No shad have been caught,
but mackerel are occasionally taken in the herring nets. During
August, every year, Messrs Dewar have set a salmon net at the
entrance to Gardner's Creek, and caught two or three salmon
every night. Lobsters are very abundant ; almost any quantity
mav be taken, with proper nets or pots.

The entrance to Teignmoulh Harbour, better known as Ten
Mile Creek, is very narrow ; the harbour is dry at low-water; at
high tide, there is sixteen to eighteen feet water. The lower dam
on tliis creek, is one mile from the sea ; it is said that salmon may
get over this dan», but they can ascend no farther than the second
dam. only half a mile above the first, as that effectually bais their
progress. Tiie harbour was visited on the 17th September; a
salmon net was then set completely across the entrance, so that
not a fish could enter. Within the harbour, Me.ssrs. Lovett and
Parker were buiding a ship of 800 tons. Mr Lovett said, that
fish were abundant at Teignmonth ; formerly they had a spring-
weir across the mouth of the harbour, but it was carried awuy the
previous spring, and had not been repaired ; it secured a ,^'reat
many herrings, as also salmon and cod. This spring weir consisted
of a strong net, stretched on stout poles ; it lay flat upon the bottom
while the tide was flowiag, and at high-water it was "sprung," or
raised to a perpendicular position, by powerful capstans. Messrs.
Lovett and Parker caught one hutidred and fifty salmon during
the past season, at the entrance to the Jiarbour, from twelve pounds
to twenty one pounds weight each ; they also took a number of
grilse. The first salmon are usually taken at the end of .inly;
but the fishing for them continues as late in the season as any can
be caught. Lobsters are abundant here ; capelin have been often
taken in the weir, and also very small gaspereau, but no large
ones. Mr. Lovett gave it as his opinion, thai a very good fishery
might be established here. One year the firm had no ship on the
stocks ; they turned their attention to ttie fishery during that
season, and succeeded very well. They fished at Stanley's Cove,
(about two miles west of Teignmonth,) and caught one hundred
barrels of herrings ; they had only two nets of thirty fathoms each,
with a mesh of two and a half inches. At Roger's Pond (two
miles east of Teignmonth) they found good line-fishing, at a quarter
of a mile from the shore; cod were plentiful during .Fune, and
after that, came pollack and haddock. Large halibut, some of
them weighing six hundred pounds, were also taken on this ground.

In the road-stead of Quaco, and off the Head, the fishery is of
the same general character as that just described. Besides line-
fishing occasionally, herrings are taken in nets, and also in weirs ;
but the inhabitants are so actively and earnestly engaged in ship
building, which is carried on extensively at Qua.jo, that they have
little time for fishing— and from the want of shelter during south
easterly gales, the place is not visited by fishing vessels.

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

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At Great Salmon River, there* is a small but very safe harbour
for small vessels, within a high sea-wall of gravel ; but it can only
be entered at hij^h water. The river is a large and powerful
stream ; for nine miles from the sea, it rushes with much impetu-
osity through a deep, narrow gorge in the hills, the cliffs on either
side rising to the height of 600 to 800 feet. Beyond this gorge,
the river flows more gently, through an undulating country, with
much good land, exceedingly well timbered.

Just where the river makes its final leap into the sea, there is
a solid dam (rom bank to hank, upon which there are two double
saw-mills ; a quarter of a mile above, there is another dam of simi-
lar character, upon which there is one single saw-mill. In neither
of these dams is there any fish-way, and fish are therefore wholly
excluded from the River.'

Mr. Patterson, who has charge of the mills here, said the River
formerly abonmled with salmon, and thence derived its name ; now,
none whatever are taken in it. Th-re is a wasteway for surplus
water at the eastern end of the lower danf ; and Mr. Patterson
admitted, that a fish-way might be placed thf»re, without damage
or inconvenience, as also at the eastern end of the upper dan«, the
situations being almost precisely alike. Outside the harbour, on
the sea beach, Mr. Patterson has a small weir; during the last
season, he caught 36 salmon in it, as also sonie herrings, and a few
good shad. Capelin appear in June, and while they remain, there
is good iine-fis!jing for cod, off the harbour, at very little distance
from the shore ; during the summer, pollack and haddock are taken,
but there is no line-fishing during tlie autumn.

Ijong Be.icli is about two miles above the entrance to (ifreat
Salmon River; there are three families settled close to the beach,
who fish a little and farm a little, but do neither effectually, and
they appeared in great poverty. A very long and wide gravel
bar juts out into the bay, which is left entirely dry at low water ;
between this and the shore, wholly within the bar, is a mud-flat,
on which stands a brush- weir for taking herrings. It is built in
an irregular semi-circle, and is about 200 yards in length ; in the
centre it is five feet high, gradually diminishing to one loot at each
end. Herrings are usually abundant at this place during the month
of Jidy ; they are then full of spawn, which does not attain its full
size until August— alter that, it is supposfd they spawn on the
coast. During the season of 1 8 IS, herrings were unusually abun-
dant here, but tlie settlers had no salt to cure what were taken in
the weir ; they gave away herrings to every body tliat would come
for them. One tide, they gave away five large boat loads to people
from Quaco, reserving 30 barrels for themselves ; but these all
spoiled before they cojdd procure salt.

Tlie settlers here (Jabez Wright, and two families named Tufts)
cured sixty barrels of herrings from the catch of this weir, during
the season of' 1 850; these, on examination, were found to be the
true h'rring, from 10. to 12 inches in length, and of very good
quality.

It was stated by Jabez Wright, that in former years, during the
month of June, he had seeif the capelin come on shore here in

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

139

•• windrows" — the pollack would pursue them up to the very b^^ach,
upon wliich the capclin came in with the surf to spawn, us is tlieir
custom— for the last two years, «tliey have not been so ubunilunt.
There is good line-fishing ft)r cod, at very little distance from the
beach, during June and July ; after that, some haddock and pollack
may be taken -hake are rare, and halibut are only caught occa-
sionally.

Long Beach appeared to be one of the best stations on this line
of coast for prosecuting the herring fishery, or for line-fishing.
Besides the insufFiciency and small size of the weir, it has a water-
gap near its centre, to let out the waters of a brook, which flow
through it ; and it is only when the fisit are sufTiciently abundant
to choke this gap, that any quantity can be taken. Tlie situation
is recommended to the attentioii of fishermen seeking a location.
Xo set-nets have yet been tric>d here ; it is supposed that sea shad
might be caught by drifting, as they are frequently found in the
weir.

The settlers here said, that before the dams were built across
Salmon River, the fishing was excellent, and persons came from
all parts to catch salmon there. One man had caught as many
salmon there, during a single season, as sold for £90; and during
another season, fifty years since, Wright and the Tufts caught 40
barrels, while sonje others who fished in company, caught 20 bar-
rels more — now, not a single salmon is caught in the rivtT !

Little Salmon River was next visited ; it is very sinjilar in its
character to the larger river, but its banks are even more lofty,
being said to be at least 1000 feet high in some places. The mill-
dam is about half a mile fronj the sea, and it effectually precludes
the salmon from ascending as they did formerly. The ntills and
buildings are in a very picturesque situation. Directly behind the
dwelling housp of Mr. M' Donald, who manages the mills, there is
a very steep hill, whose summit was stated to be 800 feet above
the sea. There is a road to the interi()r, which rises from tlie
mill-pond, by zigzags, up the side of another tliickly wooded hill,
to the height of 600 feet : by this road there is a comnumication
with Sussex Vale, through the valley of Tr»)ut Brook.

Mr. M'Donald said he had only caught one salmon during the
season, and that was accidentally left in a pool below the mill, by
the ebb tide. He has a small herring weir on the beach, near the
mouth of the river, in which he caught 16 barrels of herrings during
the season of 1850. In 1849, he frequently let out 100 barrels on
a tide, having no salt to cure them. There is very fair line-fishing
off this river, but there is nobody to pursue it.

The singular bluff known as Martin's Head, is connected with
the main land by a long gravel beacn, which is well adapted for
fishing purposes ; there is also a fine farm, but it is now tenantless.
There is good line-fi.shing off the Head ; in July last, two boys in
half an hour loaded a boat of 16 feet with cod. There was for-
merly a large brush-weir at the beach ; last searon the mill-men at
Goose Creek put some nets upon its remains, and caught a fair
supply of herrings. It is to be regretted, that so good a farming
and fishing station as Martin's Head should remain unoccupied.

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At Goose Creek, about three miles above the IleaH, tliere is, as
elsewhere, a niill-daiii which wholly prevents the passa^e of fish.
TU'iA (lam wus built twelve yeur# nji^o ; before thnt time, salmon
asueiidt'd the stream in rorisi(h>rub]e immbers, but of late years,
none whatever have been seen, even at its entrance. Herrings
are t<}ken occasionally near the mouth of tiie creek, but the fishing
is only r)llovvp(l when the settlers Iiiwe no other occupation — on«
person here builrls a vessel occasionally, the rest are engaged ab(Kit
the mill, and in lumbering.

At (iroose River, a few miles above the creek, there is a safe
harbour for small vessels, w'lich.can lay agrcnnid at low water
without damage. At the low.^st neap tides, a vessel drawing nine
feet water can enter this harbour; the channel is eighty yards from
the base of the cliff on the western side, from which it draws over
to the high gravel bank on the opposite side ; passing this, the
basin is entered ; in any part of it vessels may be groun«led safely.
Two small rivers fall into the basin, but now, salmon can go up
neither; there is a mill-dam on one, and the remains of a dam and
flume on the other, which effectually stop them. There are four
settlers at this place, who have their farms on tht^ elevated plateau,
or table land, on the top of the steep hill an the eastern side of tlie
river. The principal settler is Brian Doheity, from whose log
house there is an exceedingly fine view, with Isle an Haut and
Cape (l!hignecto in the distance; the ascent to the settlement is
exceedingly steep, but the land when reached, is of good quality,
and appeared to yield an excellent crop — the cleared land is pio-
bably 500 feet above the level of the sea.

The settlers said, that for two miles up each branch of the river,
the banks are lofty and precipitous ; beyond that there is a fine
stretch of good land, not stony, and covered chiefly with hard wood
— through this there is every facility for a good road, towards the
Mechanics' Settlement, crossing the Shepody road. 'I'hey stated
that there was good line-fishing off the harbour for cod, pollack,
and i:ad(lock ; of the cod, 3.'» to 40 fill a barrel, and the pollack are
even larger. The fishing begins as early as 5th May, and con-
tinues until the end of July ; before they can procure herrings for
bait, they use small trout, which the boys catch with rod and line
in the river ; trout are abundant, but they rarely exceed half a
potind in weight. During the past season, they caught seven
barrels of salmon at the entrance of the harbour, with a small brush
weir and a short net.

As Goose FJarbour can be entered by coasters soon after half-
tide, and is sheltered from every wind, it is very desirable that
some distingni»ihing marks, or beacons, should be set up to denote
its entrance. There is very little doubt that a profitable fishery
might be established at this place, by competent persons possessing
sufficient means.

Point Wolf River 's alarge stream, of similar character with that
of the other rivers of this coast. Like those riversalso, a substantial
and rather lofty mill-dam prevents all fish from ascending, although
many salmon yet enter the large basin beneath the dam. The
saw mills are on an extensive scale ; they belong to Messrs. Vernon,

Report on the Fisheries in the Day of Fumly,

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of Saint John, who procure their supply of h>g8 within twelve
inileH of the niilld. Owing to the dilTiculty of floating down lng»
in 1849, from tlie want of water, the mill-men were idle during;
part of the summer ; from lack of other occupation, they were
employed in constructing a weir on the flats within the bar. In
this weir, nearly OUO salmon were caught during that season ; of
these, 21 breeding fish, heavy with spawn, were taken alive, and
carefully conveyed in casks of water, to the river above the dam,
into which they were turned without injury. This was a very
judicious step towards p eserving the salmon fishery of this fine
river ; but it is greatly to be regretted, that Messrs. Vernon have
not already set up, and maintained, a sufficient fishway. The
supply of logs deci eases an><uaUy, and after a time will cease
altogether; but if the salmon are preserved, they will pn)ve a
source of wealth, long after the saw mills are worn out and useless.

The weir having been carried away by ice, no salmon were
caught during the season of I81IO; and the mills being in full
operation no other fishing was carried on, although herrings and
cod were to be had outside the entrance to the harbour.

An entire change in the geological character of the coast, begins
at Point Wolf. The trap, syenite, felspar, and porphyritio rocks,
which, up to this point, chiifly compose the rugged and precipitous
cliflTs fronting upon the Bay, here give way to the sandstones of the
coal measures ; and this formation continues without interruption
to the shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. With this geoh)gical
change, ther^ is also a change in the character of the fisheries ; the
coincidence is somewhat remarku' e, although perfectly natural.
The cod delight in clear water, over a hard bottom ; while the shad
rejoice in muddy waters, and especially delight in the extensive
mud-flats of the upper part of the Bay, from which they procure
the food that renders them so excessively fat and delicious.

i\t Herring Cove, just above Point Wolf, there is very fair her-
ring fishing during the season ; from this cove a new road has been
laid out, and lots surveyed for settlement on the labour system.
This road passes through some back settlements, and is continued
to the PoUet Lake in the Mechanics' Settlement ; it will, when
completed, be of mueh value to the settlers in the forest, by
enabling them to reach the coast with their produce, at >* place
where it can be shipped to market, and where they may j^rocure
fish of the best quality to be carried into the interior.

A little to the eastw^ard of Herring Cove, is a small settlement,
called Cannon Town Beach ; and here for the first time in going
up the Bay, a regular shad fishery was found. At this beach,
there are two brush weirs expressly for taking shad ; formerly
herrings were plenty at this place, but they have been very scarce
during the last seven years. There are fourteen shares in the
Yreirs at Cannon Ti wn Beach ; and each share gets about eight
barrels of shad annually. On the 20th September, the fishing was
considered nearly over for the season ; the shad taken that morning
were exceedingly small — they would scarcely weigh a pound each,
and were called by the fishermen " round fish." The greater part
of the shad taken at this beach, during the past season, were of

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1 42 Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi;.

small size ; ihe weirs, by taking these small fish, must do a great
deal o*" mischief to't'i'e shad fishery generally. It was stated here,
that there was no drifting for shad west of Cape Enrag^, the Ray
being too wide and stormy, and the water too clear.

The Upper Salmon Kiver, which falls intu Salisbury Cove,
(generally called Enrag6 Bay) is muddy at the entrance, and the
strong tide of the Bay sweeps in and out with great force. There
is a large brush weir here, for taking shad ; those caught in it
during the season of 18.50, were of small size — very little larger
than gaspereau. Aleut foity barrels of these snmll fish were
caught ill mis weir at one time, during Augjst, and there being a
flood in the river at the moment, the combined weight of the
water and the fish, carried away the centre of the weir. The fish
escaped, and the weir was not repaired ; this was fortunate, as the
weir is calculated to do much damage by taking small shad.
There is a mill-dam at the head of the tide on this river, which the
sal men can get over. It was stated, that nearly all the salmon
which passed, were speared almost immediately after, in the shal-
lows above the mill-pond. This place was visited on the 20th
September, and only a week previous, several salmon had been
speared in the stream ; of course, they were out of season, and
almost worthless at that late period.

To the westward of Cape Knrag6, in Enrag6 Bay, there are
three wiers f.^r shad on the flats ; these are said to be very des-
tructive to small shad, few large fish being caught in this locality.

From Cape Enrag6 to the Boundary of Nova Scotia,

Above Cape Enrag6, the valuable shad fishery of the north
eastern arm of the Bay of Fundy, may be said fairly to commence.
The fishermen here, who chiefly reside in the Parish of Hopewell,
near the Shepouy River, fish the whole distance from Cape Enrag^,
to Cape Demoiselle, at the entrance to the Petitcodiac River ;
above that point, the fishermen of Hillsborough and Memranicook,
fish the Petitcodiac up to Stoney Creek, above which not many
shad are caught.

Ezra Bishop, a shad fisher, residing on the banks of the Shepody
River, stated that he usually drifted for shad in Shepody Bay,
between Capes Enrag6 and Demoiselle. He has six nets to his
boat, each twenty five fathoms long ; the mesh is five inches —
none of the fishers here use a mesh of less size, as they want the
large fat shad only. They fish between seed time and hay making ;
very seldom after that. Bishop usually catches each season, from
twenty to thirty barrels of prime shad ; and he supposes, that at
least one hnndred barrels are taken in Shepody Bay, each day
that the boats go out. Very few herrings are taken above Enrag^ ;
but they sometimes catch crilse, (or " fidlers" as the fishermen call
them,) in the shad nets, balmon do not enter Shepody River, the
water being exceedingly muddy. There are a few weirs in
Shepody Bay, which are not very successful ; the shad caught in
them are much smaller than those caught in the drift nets. Only
six shad boats go out of Shepody River, but others fish occasion-
ally—nets are let out on shares by Mr. Isaac Turner, to persona
who fish at intervals.

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Report on the Fisheries in (he Bay of Fundy.

143

Mr. Bishop is of opinion that more boats than now fish between
Cape Enrag6 and Cape Demoiselle, might piirsiie the shad fishery
with advantage ; but in the Petitcodiac, above Demoiselle, he
thinks there are quite boats enough. From Grindbtone Island
down to Enrag6, sharks frequently do much damage to the nets.
They come up the Bay in the latter part of the season, and cause
the shad-fishers to close their fishing much sooner than they other-
wise would. This species of shark, {carcharias vnlpes—ox "the
thresher ") is usually taken here, of the lengtii of six to eigi»t feet ;
if one of them strikes the outer drift net, he is generally taken, as
this net swings with him, and he becomes entangled by rolling
up the net, with its buoy-rope and lead-Hue, in such manner as
effectiially secures him, by preventing the use of his exceedingly
powerful tail. If the shark strikes one of the nets near the boat,
which does not yield to his motions, he destroys it almost com-
pletely before he escapes. During the past season. Bishop secured
three sharks, of the length of six, seven, and eight feet respectively ;
he cut out their livers and let the bodies float away— each of the
livers yielded six gallons of oil. At times, dog-fish are abundant
in tills locality — Bishop said he had the past season, taken a cart-
load out of a single shad-net, all caught during one tide.

At Shepody, shad are cured in the following manner : — The fish,
after being split, are soaked in two waters, an hour in each. They
are then salted in tubs in the boats, as the Shepody boats usually
stay out a week ; when the boats come in, the fish are fully salted.
In this state, they are sold at 30s. for 200ft)S. They are not
packed in barrels ; the farmers take them away in waggons, as
iast as they are ready, and none are put up for exportation, or for
sale elsewhere.

On visiting the Petitcodiac, above Cape Demoiselle, it was
found, that the shad boats in general use were about 16 feet in
length, on the keel, and 18 feet over all ; the breadth of beam 71
feet. They are fitted with one mast and two sails— a mainsail
and jib. The stem, stern-post, keel, and bottom planks are of
birch ; the upper streaks of spruce and pine — the boats are gene-
rally built by the fishermen themselves, during the winter, and the
usual cost of a boat and sails is £10 or £\2. The shad fishing in
the Petitcodiac is generally by drifting during the night ; each
boat has usually 150 fathoms of net, but some fish with 200
fathoms. The nets are from 20 to 30 fathoms in length, 46 nirshes
deep ; the mesh is 41- inches. All the fishermen complain of
the very short time the nets last ; if not oiled, tanned, or prepared
in some way, they are completely rotten and useless in a month ;
and even with every preparation yet known here, they will not
last a whole season of three months, even with the greatest care.

It was stated* by W. H. Steves, Esquire, MP. P., that from
Stoney Creek to Cape Demoiselle, the limits of the fishing ground
in the Pari? d of Hillsborouh, there are fifty boats belonging to that
side of the river, which catch 20 barrels of shad each, annually.
They use from 80 to 2u0 fat' nms of net; besides shad, they
take the small salmon of the Petitcodiao, in their drift nets,
occasionally.

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144

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fand,f.

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After visiting Bellevous ViHage, on the eastern side of the
Petitcodiac, and examining the boats and nets there, the writer
waited upon the Reverend Ferdinand Gauvreau, Parish Piiestat
Memranicook, who first induced his parishioners to adopt tlie mode
of fishing for shad with drift-nets, and who has always taken the
most lively interest in this fishery. Monsieur Gauvrean stated,
that the first shad which appear each season, are green on the
back, with a yellow tinge on the belly ; Uiese are good fish. Tiie
second run are cf a pale green on the back, and as compared with
the first, are a poor fish. The third and last run, come very near
the end of t!ie season ; these have blue backs, and are the best
and finest fish.

Since this visit. Monsieur Gauvreau has been good enough to
forward a communication in writing, respecting this fishery, which
possesses much interest. It is due to Monsieur Gauvreau to state,
that he is not accustomed to write in English ; but as he has done
so on this occasion, his letter is given as written, lest any mistake
should occur in rendering his meaning. The letter is as follows : —

" Dorchester, 10/A December, 1850.

*• Sir, — 1 acknowledge the receipt of your circular of 12tb August, respecting
the Fislieries of the Bay of Fundy ; aud I must state, that I am quite happy in
giving you my share of iuformatiou, respecting the ineshnig of shad iu the
upper part of the Bay.

*' I wih also have a little to say or. codfish, as 1 have sent my boat down the
Bay, for several years, when I gave up fishing altogether, and turned my atten-
tion to model farming — but not until my parishioners had become warmly engaged
in the shad fishing.

" 1 will proceed to answer your queries, in the same order they occupy in
your circular.

" 1st. The mode of conducting shad fishing iu the upper part of the Bay of
Fundy is by drift nets, tied with a rope, Jtbout eight yards long, to the forepart
of the fishing boat, or to the stern, to take advantage of the wind and stream
of the tide, thereby keeping the meshas of the net sufficiently open for th«
unsuspecting fish.

" Our shad nets are usually made with the finest Russian twine. Some fisher-
men make them trith cotton warp. No. b, double thread and twisted ; or with
tie home nia\iufactured flax thread, which answers the purpose very well, when
the fliix crop is seasonably taken from the field, finely passed through the flax
comb, and atte^^vards evenly spun and twisted.

*' The meshes, stretched on a measuring rule, are Ai or 4? inches long, but
are reduced to about 3^ inches when secured to the upper and lower ropes. The
floats, or buoys, r*re made ol cedar, and turned smooth with a turning lathe, in
orilT tliey shcr/td oC'er no obstruction whatever to the good working of the
whole net, whea it is lowered down into the water, or taken back into the boat.
The floats ar*.' secured on the upper rope, which passes through them, by a
stnmg thread, that binds them with the upper row of the meshes ; three feet is
the common distance between the floats, from centre to centre. I'he sinkings
i!>ads are cast, polished quite smooth, and in the same quantity, and distance, as
the tloats, and tied in the like manner. A net of about forty- five meshes wide,
would be near 16 feet deep. Made as above described, a net of Russian twine,
100 fathoms long, costs no less than £\2\ of cotton warp, j£10; and ol this
country thread, something less thau £9. A Rubstantinl* and safo boat,' folly
rigged, costs jC12 ; and it will stand good from five to six years.

" As to any improvement to be introduced in the manulacture of these nets,
my opinion is, that none whatever could be devised, for the present. For, such
aa they are made, all my parishioners agree, they work to well, that if the stream
of the tide were strong enough to stretch it properly, a net lOU fathoms long,
might be thrown out of a boat, all in a buorb, and it would not get entangled in
its sinking leads, nor in its floats.

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Report on the Fisheries in iue Bay of Fundy.

145

*' 2iid. The proper and only season for shad fishing i', generally from the
month of July to the 15th September, so that it interferes very little with the
farming business of the fishing- farmers.

" As you may presume, the shad is always of great value ; as it is caught only
in the summer, and in the greatest stir uf navigation, it will fur a long time
command a good price at homj, and in any foreign market.

" The average quantity of barrels of shad caught in the upper part of the
Bay, among the French Acadians, ia from 10(0 to 1500 a year. Last summer,
Francois Victor Leblanc, cured 30 barrels for his share.

" The shad-fishing ground extends from about eight miles below the Bend of
Petitcodiac, at Stoney Creek, as far down as Grindstone Island, in the Bay,
and thenfe easterly into the Bay of Cumberland — on the Nova Scotia side, the
fishing is all with stationary nets, as far as the point of Amherst Marsh, directly
opposite to the Minudie Village.

" There never was to my knowledge, any standing nets on the NewBrnnswick
side, in the Bay of Cumberland ; and although the Barnes family, on this side,
had at first drifted their nets, they soon abandoned ihat mode and resorted to
the stationary nets, but only on the Nova Scotia flats. These nets would not
pay on this side Cumberland Bay, for you will be pleased to know, that shad
always go with the strongest stream ; and as the strength of the tide strikes
altogether on the Nova Scotia shore, it is there you will see the whole of these
mud flats entirely covered with stationary nets.

" You will be pleased, sir, to he persauded of what I have already stated, and
what Ihave to state, upon the shad fishery, on the Nova Scotia side of the Bay
of C'umbertand, when ygu are informed, that for eleven years, I had to discharge
my ecclesiastical duty, two and three weeks at a time, among the French Acadians
of Minudie, and in the shad season very often.

"This leads me to your third inquiry ; and for want of herring, I will satisfy
you with shad.

"3rd. Standing weirs, and standing nets, are unquestionably, the most effec-
tive means of destroying shad altogether, in our Bays, or at least, of thinning
their quantity to an incredible degree. Both ought to be discontinued at once,
and prohibited by some strict laws, and defaulters heavily fined.

" My reasons for condemning both modes are— first, that by a standing weir,
shad of all sizes are stopped, and those which have tiardly attained the half of
their natural growth, are either left to perish on the mud-flats, or else are cured
pele-niele, with the large ones ; and whei sent abroad, have the effect of bringing
the good sized ones down to a miserably low standard. I have seen with my
own eyes what T here mention, when one summer I went down, with five men,
In my own boat— my " St. Peter" — to the large French weir, in Grand Anse, or
Grand Tasse, as Dr. Gesner improperly calls it, in one of his Geological Reports.
I had then an opportunity of making my own observations, as I was three days
with a company of French atfending the weir, sleeping at night on the hard
ground in their rough abode, fishing the dog-fishes on the flood tide, and more
particularly enjoying myself at low water, in catching the flirting shad inside
the weir.

" Destruction of small sized shad, by both English and French, went on
within this wiir, and others, for more than forty years, and at that time there
wa? not a single drifting shad net in the Bay. Then, contrary to their custom-
ary way, the English people of Grand j4)ise, (Big Cove,) one summer about
ten years ago, without giving notice to the French people, wilhout whom the
English could not make it stand before, they put up again the mammoth weir,
and thereby deprived my people of their old fishing louudation.

" My parishioners, of course, felt very muco such an encroachment, and loss ;
but to convince them, that they could still ha\»e some shad in their frying-pans,
I weiUjto Richibucto and bought a boat of nineteen feet keel, got a net made,
and drifted it, and caught two barrels of shad. As the experiment spoke well,
by my example and exertions, I worked so successfully on them, that in the
course of three year-!, there were more than twenty French boats, catching three
times over the necessary fish supply for the fishermen.

"This year, 100 French fishing boats have been counted drifting down the

Bay, 9II fine and strong boats, sailing well ; in fine, fully prepared for any storm.

" Before I finish with this inquiry, you must be told that no less than 15 or

20 large weirs have been put up every year, on the Shepody flats, and so on

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146 Beport on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

every flat where the French used to put them op, even before the invasion of the
Province by the British, and as early as the year ]749, when the for^fcthers of
these French were dispersed, for refusing to take the oath of allegiance to the
King of England.

•• Secondly — A 8 for the standing nets, I positively affirm, they are still
worse than the weirs, for the loss of the large sized tihad is frreater than that of
the small size in the weirs ; this wants some eiplanation. When the tide comes
in both Bays, of Fundy and Cumberland, shad will not be caught at all by weirs,
and consequently lay their course till they reach the further end of the weir,
towards the deep channel of the Bay, and thereby are safe on the flood tide ;
but on the ebb tide, all the shad which ventured on the flats along the Bay, will
be stopped altogether, large and small, as 1 stated above.

" But with standing nets it is quite the reverse. Shad will be caught at once
on the flood, as well as on the ebb tide, the meshes being all the time open fcr
them. And here is the loss, I mean on the flood tide, for then the owners of
these nets cannot save the fi<>h, as they have to wait until the tide is all out.
As you must allow, shad for the most part, are shaken off by the ebb tii^e,
which keep these nets in a constant and strong motion. They fall down, a>'e
dragged away, and are a great loss to commerce. They become a treat for the
sturgeons, and dog-fishes, these being numerous and strongly attracted to the
upper part of the Bay by the lost fish, as the shad itself is attracted by the
worms, which venture out of the muddy fiats, heated by the July and
August sun.

" 1 reiterate my suggestion, that both weirs and standing nets ought to be
prohibited by law, as being destructive to shad, and very ruinous to our fisheries
and commerce.

" 4th, The mode of curing shad is this — after they are opened by the back,
and their entrails taken off, they are thrown into a large open tub of fresh water,
and nre soaked therein, until ail the blood about the back-bone is got out of it.
Then they are taken out and put separately on the edge of a board, or horizontal
fence poles, each side of the fish hanging down, on either side of the board or
fence pole. When they are sufficiently freed from the water in which thev have
been steeped, they are then salted, and put in the shade in some fish-hoDoe,
which almost every fisherman has built for that purpose.

" I am perfectly satisfied, that shad chiefly feed on the worms of our muddy
flats, since they are found in the stomachs of the fish, and hardly any shrimp at
all, as 1 am informed by the fishermen of my Parish. Besides, the shad is
naturally fond ot vermiculated food, and must be fonder of worms than of any
other kind which have affinity with them. Moreover, to what sort of food
would you ascribe that oily taste which we find in shad, as also that thick yellow
oily matter which we find on the top of every barrel of shad, if not to the quality
of their food, which 1 contend to be worms, and chiefly worms. Since then,
they chiefly feed upon worms, and worms are very abundant on the muddy flats
of the upper part of this Bay, I repeat again, that standing nets, and weirs, are
destructive to our shad fishery, as they are an insurmountable obstacle to the
growth offish, that venture on the flats, in search of food. Such obstacle does
not exist with drift-nets, as they must keep to the channel of the Bay, on
account of their depth.

" I conclude with the necessity of your recommending to Government, the
appointment of an intelligent and impartial Inspector of our Fisheries, having
full power to regulate the size of meshes, the length and depth of nets, the
quality and quantity of salt in every barrel of cured fish, &c. &c. &c.

J'ai I'honneur, Monsieur, &c.

, Ferdinand Gai;vrbau,

M. H. Perley , B«quire." Priett Mittionary.

In additioa to the above interesting communication, the following
letter has been received from R. B. Chapman, Esquire, M.P.P.,
who resides near the Bellevous Village, on the eastern bank of the
Petitcodiac : —

" Dorchester, October 10, 1850.

'* Sir.-— I have received a copy of Tonr circular respecting the fisheries, and
regret that I bad not ihe pleasure or an interview when yoa visited my house.

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

147

Yon are aware, that abad are the only fish taken in the Petitcodiac River. Tb<>
Bumber of boats employed the present season, on the eastern side of the river,
is about 7^1 ^ith probably, an average of 100 fathoms of net to each boat — also,
Obe strong, active man, and sometimes a boy, to manage the same. The expense
of the boat and net will not be less than X26 ; the boat, of «ourse, will last for
years, and the rope will last for foor or five years ^ but it will require three nets
to last two seasons. The average nmtiber of barrels to each boat, this season,
will not «xceed fifteen ; price, 278. €d. per barrel.

" jf any.plan could be devised to preserve the net!:,and make them last longer,
a great l)enefit would be conferred on the fishermen, as some of them are about
to abandon the fishery, in consequence of the heavy expense of nets.

■' There are, certainly, defects in the mode of curing. Sometimes the fish
remaia too long, after they are taken out of the water, before tbey are cleaned ;
and sometimes, they are soaked too long in fresh water before being salted. It
is quite certain, that the sooner shad are salted after being caught, the better
they are ; and they ought never to be repacked. You are aware, that the shad
taken at the head of the Bay are, perhaps, the best in the world ; yet there is a
Ume, ia the latter part of July, and beginning of August, when they are quite
inferior, both in size and quality, to those taken at any other time during the
season.

*• You wilt doubtless have had an opportunity, during your tour through this
part of the Province, of conversing with persons who have long been engaged in
the shad fishery, from whom you have received more information tban I am
capable of commanicatrng. Your inquiry, my dear sir, is an important one;
our waters abound with fish of all kinds, and yet we are strangely apathetic in
prosecuting so important a source of wealth. That your inquiry and Heport
may have the desired effect, is the sincere wish of

Your obedient servant,

R. B. Chapman.

M. H. Perley, Esquire."

Between tlie moutli of the Memramcook River and Cape
Maranguin, the shad fishery is carried on by weirs, and stake-
nets. The settlers do not drift for shad ; it takes too much time
from farming, and they have no shelter for boats. Last year there
were only three weirs ; but nearly every settler had a string of
stake-nets* From Red Head, below Dorchester, to Grand Anse
ledge, there were 15 strings of nets ; and at least 25 strings more
from that ledge down to Cape Maranguin. The strings averaged
about 100 fathoms each in length; the mesli, 4| inches ; and the
net, 30 meshes deep. I'he stakes are placed 15 feet apart, on the
mud-flats, and the nets are entirely dry at low water. Some fish
mesh on the flood, but the greatest numbers are taken on the ebb
tide. The fair average catch of each string of nets in Grand
Anse, was stated to be 20 barrels during the season.

Mr. George Buck, an intelligent fisherman, who resides four
miles below the Village of Dorchester, has fished there for shad
during the last thirty years. He stated, that shad strike in at this
place, from the 1st to the 15th June; tliey are then large, and
pretty fair fish ; the next run comes in the heat of summer, these
are not so good. As the autumn advances, the fish grow better
and fatter ; those caught latest being the best. The shad come to
these flats to feed, not to spawn ; and Mr. Buck is of opinion,
that the ehad which ascend the Saint John in the spring, after
spawning, go np the Bay to fatten. Whenever there is a large
run of shad up the Saint John in the spring, there is always good
fishing at Petitcodiac in Ihe autumn. It is unusual to find any
roe in shad, caught at this locality ; it sometimes occurs, but that

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148 Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Funcfy.

is very seldom ; he has often found slug-worms in the stomaoTi of
the shad, some of them nearly as large as a man's finger — these
are now called " shad-worms." jVlr. Buck usually catches 30
barrels of shad each season, in his string of nets ; he exceeded that
qua)itity last season, as on the 26th Sept^nvber his nets were still
down. His nets are tarred, and they last nearly a whole season f
he thinks it is the mud which does tlie michief, and causes them
to rot so quickly. Cotton thread takes the tar well, and therefore
stands longest ; herring twine fishes well, but only lasts a few
weeks.

Tlie mode of curing here, Mr. Buck described as follows : —
He cleans the fish as quickly as possible ; washes twice — drains
quickly— an^ salts down, once for all. He uses generally about
1 i bushels of salt to each barrel of shad ; the past season he used
50 bushels of salt to 30 barrels of shad, and these fish will keep
any length of time, anywhere. The necessity of a strict inspection
was strongly urged by Mr. Buck, who expressed his anxious desire
to employ, at that moment, an Inspector and cooper to pack his
fish for exportation.

From Cape Maranguin to the head of Sackville Bay, on the
New Brunswick side, the shad fishing is followed both by drift-
nets and stake-nets. Each boat has usually 100 fathoms of drift-
net ; the mesh A\ to 5 inches, and the nets 60 meshes deep — the
average catch during the last five years, has been about 20 barrels
to each boat, during the season.

Mr. John Barnes of Sackville, who understands the shad-fishing
of Sackville Bay exceedingly well, stated that he fishes both with
drift and stake-nets ; the latter are 30 to 40 meshes deep, and set
on stakes, 15 feet apart, between high and low- water mark. He
takes shad in his stake-nets on the ebb tide ; the nets are there-
fore on the lower side of the stakes, fastened at top and bottom.
If the tide runs strong the nets must be allowed to bag a little ;
but if it is not strong, they are better stretched tight. One set of
stake-nets will not last during the season, as they rot out very soon
— a new net of herring twine has been known to rot out in eleven
days. No net will last more than a month, unless oiled with raw-
linseed oil, or tanned ; tanning the net to be eflfective, must be
repeated every week.

Mr. Barnes concurred in the opinion; that there are three distinct
runs of shad, the first, and last, being by far the best fish. It is
very rare, he said, to find any roe in shad, and when it was found,
the fish was poor i^^id thin, like the spring shad caught at St. John.

The usual p|yx^e|/?fyWfiing shad at Sackville, was thus described :
—The fisU,f\f^ ^j^p^^ej(.^^'^^qn||;j^.j)ossible after being taken from

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy,

149

istinct
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intended for shipment, or to be kept for any length of time. The
necessity of a rigid inspection was much insisted upon by Mr.
Barnes, especially ae regarded shad intended for exportation.

Sharks appear in Sackville Bay, at the end of August ; one
was taken thf /S in September last, nine feet in length, by Mr.
Boultenhouse. The greatest obstacle to shad fishing in Sackville
Bay, arises from the southwest gales, whicli rush through this nar-
row part of the Bay of Fundy, as through a funnel, and occasion-
ally blow with much violence ; when these meet the ebb tide,
they cause a very heavy sea, which puts fishing wholly out of the
question.

Entiinate of the qmnlily of Shad taken on the New Brunswick side of the liar/
of Fundi/, from Cape Enrage to the Nova Scotia Boundary, macUi up from
local information, October, 1850.

LOCALITV.

Shepody Bay,

Ditto,
Cape Demoiselle to Stoney Creek,
Memrameook, (Acadian French) ...
Dorchester to Cape Mataiiguin,
Cape Maranguin to Nova Scotia Boundary.

Ditto, ..

Boats, weirs,
&c.

Quantity
caught.

Total nninber
of

barrels.

8 boats,

stake nets

and weirs,

60 boats,

100 boats,

40 nets,

13 boats,

stake nets,

'25 brls. each,

20 brls. each,
IS brls. each^
20 brls. eacHi
20 brls. each,

Total, barrels.

200

200

1000

1500

800

300

100

4,100

The value of pickled shad in October last, as stated by Mr.
Chapman, was 27s. 6d. per barrel ; at this rate, the value of the
shad caught and cured in the upper part of the Bay of Fundy last
season, was £5,637 lOs. — This amount, large as it may appear
for what has been considered one of the minor fisheries of the Bay,
is believed to be even below the actual value. The quantity of
fish, stated as having been caught, does not include the small sliad
caught below Cape Enrage, nor yet those fish caught in a desul-
tory manner within the distriot indicated, and consumed immedi-
ately by the inhabitants.

This fishery may be said to have commenced ten years since,
when drifting for sea shad, at Petitcodiac, was introduced by the
Rev. Mr. Gauvreau, under the circumstances mentioned in his
letter. It may be rendered yet niore valuable than at present, by
an improved system of cure, and careful inspection ; while the
quantity of fish caught may be greatly increased^ by proper
^regulations and judicious management.

The Salmon Fishery of the Petitcodiac River.

Although the lower part of this river, so far as the tide-way
extends, is excessively muddy, yet above the tide, its waters are
brigitt, and ripple gently over a gravelly bed, forming an almost
constant succession of pools and rapids. Great nunib.^rs of salmon,
generally of small size, formerly frequented this river : but latterly,
otving to the unmerciful and cruel manner in which this fish has
been hunted and persecuted,«a8 well in the tide-way as above it, tl>ey
liave greatly diminished, and are at present in a £air way of being
•extirpated altogether.

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150 Report on the Fisheriea in the Bay of Funefy.

In August 1848, the writer was on the upper part of tins river,.
near the head of the tide, and at night, saw thirty five hay>
makers making war upon a few salmon which had reached a pool
tlie day previous. They built large fires upon the banks, and
entering the pool, some wading, and others ia canoes with torchesy
each man armed with a pitchfork, they pursued and mangled' the
fish until the whole were killed. At a pool forther up the river,
the next day, the writer saw a boy in a canoe, with a pitchfork^
pursuing a solitary salmon in a shallow pool, from wluch it could
not escape ; the fish was killed at last, but so mutilated a» to be
almost worthless. Everywhere on the river, the same destruction
appeared to be going on ; it was said by the inhabitants that no
regard was paid to season^ bat that salmon were always taken,
whenever and however they could be had.

Unless it be intended, that the salmon fishery of the Petitcodiac
shall be allowed to cease altogether, as a thing of no value, it i^
absolutely necessary, that steps should be taken to restrain this:
wanton destruction of fine fish. If the river is not put under
some superintendence, to restrain the destructive inclination of the
sojourners mi its banks, it cannot be expected, but that the salmon
fishery of tne Petitcodiac will shortly be remembered as a fishery
that has been, but which no longer exi«ta.

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THE NOVA SCOTIA SHORE.

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Cumberland Bay.

In this Bay, the shad fishery is also prosecuted to a very con-
siderable extent, and of such value is it considered, that a special
Act of the Legislature of Nova Scotia was passed in 1810, for it»
regulation. It is set forth in the preamble to this Act, that the
shad fishery in the County of Cumberland is becoming of impor-
tance, and difficulties and disputes have arisen, and are likely to*
arise, respecting the setting of nets, and the use of drift-nets ; Xo-
prevent which, it is enacted that it shall be lawful for the Jii8tice»
in Session, to make rules and regulations for the setting of nets,
the placing of weirs, the number of nets to be allowed to one person ,
the distance they shall be set apart, and whether drift-nets shall or
shall i>ot be allowed. The Act also provides for the appointment
of Overseers of the Shad Fishery, each overseer to be assigned a
particular district ; and for every net or weir, set or placed within
i'sat district, the overseer is authorized to receive, from the owner
of the san>e, the sum of five sluUings, as> compe ^sation for his ser-
vices in enforcing the fishery regulations.

. Under this Act, the Justices have established cen.in rules and
regulations, a copy of which will be foiind m the Appendix to this
Report.

After crossing the Missaguash River, (the bouadary between
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia,)* the writer proceeded t»
Amherst, passing the La Planche River^ and subsequently visiting
the Napan and Macan Rivers.. At Araherst»^ much informatioi^

Report on the Fishei'iea in the Bay of Fundy.

151

;

88 to the shad fishery was comn\unicated by Joshua Chandler, Esq.,
High Sheriflf of Cumberland, R. B. Dickey, Esq.. and Mr. Gordon,
Controller of Customs ; at the rivers, the writer met Mr. Corbett
and Peter Niles, both experienced fishermen, and Mr. Coates, an
overseer of the fishery. From these several parties the following
information was obtained.

There are no weirs on the Nova Scotia side of Cumberland Bay,
nor are any drift-nets used on that side ; the people are opposed to
drifting. The only mode of fishing for shad is by stake-nets on
tira mud flats. Each net is 12 fathoms long, from 28 to 40 meshes
deep, according to situation ; the mesh is from 4 3 to 5 inches.
Shad have been taken here as early as the 8th of June ; but the
fishery usually commences on the first of July, and continues until
the 1st of October, although fish have been taken at the end of
October, when ice was making. From the Missaguash to the
the La Planche River, there are 12 nets, which, on the average,
take 5 barrels each, during the season. From the La Planche to
Barron's Point, (so named from' Sir Edward Barron, the grantee
of that part of Amherst,) there are 60 nets, the aver«.ge catch of
which is now 10 barrels annually. It was stated by all the fisher-
men, that the fishing was falling oflF very much of late, and the
average catch the last two seasons was only half of what it was
seven years previously. This they attributed to the great increase
of drift-nets used in the Bay, by the inhabitants of New Brunswick ;
when the wind is so high that the boats cannot go out to drift,
then they always get twice as many as when the drifting is taking
place.

The net§ are so arranged, on the lower side of the stakes, as to
form a bag on the ebb tide, when most of the fish are caught ; but
many fish strike the net on the flood, and being shaken out by the
strong motion on the ebb, (as described by the Rev. Mr. Gauvreau,)
they are scattered over the flats, and much *' mud-larking" takes
place before they are all gathered, which sometimes does not happen,
and the fish are wholly lost. .

There is no inspection offish in the County of Cumberland, and
they are sold entirely on the character of the curer. The„niode of
furing was described as being the same as that in use at Sackville,
but they are soaked longer ; a bushel of salt is the quantity gene-
rally considered sufficient for a barrel of shad. In the writer's
opinion, the fish are injured here by too much soaking before being
salted ; and the quantity of salt used in curing, is not sufficient to
preserve the fish for any length of time. Liverpool salt is gene-
rally used, which is much inferior to that from St. Ube's, or Turk's
Island, for curing fish.

It was agreed by all the fishernlen here, that there were three
distinct runs of fish during the season, as at Petitcodiac, the first
and last being the best. It is very rare to find a shad with roe ;
the shad-worm and shrimps are frequently found in the stomachs
of the shad, which left no doubt as to the nature of their food.

At Minudie, on the River Heberl, there is a valuable shad
fishery ; and it is asserted, that the fish caught there are fatter and
much finer than any others in the Bay of Fundy. The fishing at

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1 52 Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

this place, and in Cumberland Bay generally, is described in the
following letter from Amos Seaman, Esquire : —

'yMinudie, llth Septe/nber, 1850.

" Sm, — In answer to your circular of 12th August, relative to the fisheries at
the head of the Bay of Fuudy, I beg leave to say, that I will luriiish such infer-
ination as is in iny power, relative to the shad fisliery, which is the only kind
successfully 'bllowel, in the Bay and Rivera around here.

«• ft is only nbout fifteen years since any attention was paid to this business.
At first, standing weirs were employed ; but owing to the circumstance of large
quantities of interior and small fish being caught, the raising of the flats, aud
other undefinable causes, this mode has for sonie years been discontinued. The
only luethodH now practised are by set-nets and drifting ; by the latter, far the
largest quantities are taken ; sometimes may be yceii in Dorchester Bay, anJ
nround the shores of Minudie, upw.trds of two hundred boats out at one time.
The boats leave the place of rendezvous with the ebb tide, drift down the Bay
until they meet the flood, and return with it to the place from whence they
started. With favourable tides each boat will secure from 100 to 150 shad,
with 80 to 100 fathoms of net. The fishing season commences in June, and
terminates in September.

" When we consider the great nnmlxr of nets that are set, almost every
resident on the shores having one, and some four or more — besides others who
pome from miles inland to embark in the business — as well as the great number
of boats constantly out drifting, it is not perhaps too much to say, that from five
to six thousand barrels are canght and cured every season. When properly put
up, in barrels or2001bs. weight, with care in curing and packing — the fish being
split down the belly, the back bone taken out, and the tail cut off, which is the
method preferred by the American merchant, and now followed by many of o»r
fishermen — these shad will command from nine to eleven dollars per barrel, in
the American market ; leaving from si Ihirs and a half to nine dollars and a
half to the exporter, after duties and i .. s are deducted.

" It is but a very few years since any shad were prepared for shipment, the
people who followed this fishery being content with securing sufficient for their
own wants, and perhaps a barrel or two for their neighbours. But the tame of
our shad went abroad, and some American merchauts were induced to try theui
in their market ; they were highly priaed and sought after. From that time,
exportations were yearly made, and liave gone on steadily increasing. At the
present time, there is a great demand for shad canght at the head of this Bay,
as being of superior quality — much fatter and of more delicious flavour than any
found on the American shores, or in the marjcets of the United States.

" This demand and encounigement, have had a wonderful efl"fct in stimulating
our fishermen to increased exertions, and greater care in curing, so that the
fish may command the highest price, and sustain their character. That the
supply is inexVaustible, is plain to every one ; (or, notwithstanding the numb^
of persons employed, and the means for capture have greatly increased witlrin
the last few years, there appears not the least diminution, in the quantity offish
— none complain. If the contemplated Railroad were once in operation, and
the Canadian market, now shut to us by circuitOBS navigation, should be ren-
dered easily accessible, a large field would be opened for our fisheries. The
energies and enterprize of our fishermen would receive additional excitement,
and the whole trade would flow in that direction, to avoid the heavy duty of ono
dollar per barrel, exacted by the American fJovernroent. We consider our
shad fishery to be only in its infancy ; and not a doubt can be entertained, that
when a larger field is opened, and improvements introduced in the modes of
capture and cure, that the trade will become wctensive, of great importance, aud
highly lucrative.

" You will perceive, that all my observations have been confined to the shad
fishery, iu and around Minudie, and the neighbouririg Bay of Dorchester, at the
mouth of the Petitcodiac. The same fishery is carried on along the coast to
Chignecto, and about the shores at Parrsboro', and no doubt equal quantities
are caught there; but for more fttll iuformatiou., I must refer you to persons ia
those localities.

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

1J3

" I have nothing to say as to other fisheries here, they being too inHignificnnt to
demand even a passing notice. With my desire, that the foregoing mity be
found useful and satisfactory, I have the honour, &c.

Amos Sicaman.
M. H. Perley, Kxiuire."

From Minudie down tlfe coast toward Apple River, the shad
fishery extends as far as Mill Creek, below which, the waters of
the Bay become perfectly clear, and shad are not taken. In this
distance are the extensive grindstone quarries of Mr. Scan^an, at
the Soutii Joggins ; two miles southwest from these quarries, are
the Joggins coal-mines, now being worked by the General Mining
Association of Nova Scotia. The coal is bituminous; the seam
is four feet in thickness, with a dip of on^ foot in three ; under-
neath this seanj of coal, there is a bed of fire clay from two to three
feet thick, and below that, another seam of coal, 18 inches tiiick,
of very superior quality, but which at present, is not worked.
About two miles farther down the coast, is the Ragged Reef,
where very large grindstones are quarried, many of them six feet in
diameter, and eight inches thick. Along this line of coast, tlie shores
are quite perpendicular, and composed altogether of various sand
stones of the coal measures, a fine section of which can be seen in
sailing along the shore. At the South Joggins, there are nume-
rous fossil trees in the cliffs, which are well described by Sir
Charles Lyell, (who visited tliis locality a few years since) in the
account of iiis first visit to North America. To the geologist,
this place will be found highly interesting.

Not many fish are caught along this shore, the inhabitants being
all engaged in mining coals, or quarrying grindstones. A few
shad are taken at the Ragged Reef, where also, there is cod fish-
ing early in summer, and again late in the season. Some haddock
and poU^ck are likewise taken, and also a few hake ; but dog-fish
are coi"lained of as being very abundant.

At day light on the 27th September, while standing in for
this shore, the cutter fell in with a shad boat from VVestcock,
( Sack ville) which had been out all night drifting for shad. Tliere
were fifty very large and fat snad in the boat, caught during the
night ; the fisherman stated, that two nights previously, the
l^eather and the tides being favourable, he had caught 260 shad
during- a single night's fishing, 70 of which filled a barrel ; his
whole catch during the season was no less than 5000 fish, equal to
45 barrels. This boat had 1 lb fathoms of net, bb meshes deep,
the mesh 4f inches; the material, linen hank-thread, oiled with
raw linseed oil, and the whole outfit was altogether superior. The
owner said, that son)e schooners from Saint John, which had been
up the Bay shad fishing, had failed, in consequence of having
made their nets so very black with tar, that the fish saw them
and would not mesh.

Oif Apple River, some good cod are caught in June, and her-
rings are taken in July, with a mesh of 2? inches, very fine and
fat ; halibut of exceedingly large size are taken not far from the
Light House during the summer, but no shad are caught at this
place, and hake very rarely. Large quantities c( smelts, and
many small salmon occasionally enter the basin, but there are no

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundjf.

preparations for taking either. In consequence of a very violent
storm, the cutter was obliged to remain two days in the inner har-
bour at Apple River, and during tliat time, great numbers of her-
ring gulls were observed to be busily engaged in taking fish, which
appeared to be in large schulls. •

At the large rocks called the Sisters, about three miles below
Apple River, there is very good fishing for cod during the summer;
some boats come over from the New Brunswick shore every seasou
to fish' there A schooner of 50 tons from Shepody, made a fare of
cod in six weeks during last season ; the residents complained
bitterly of the damage done to the fishing ground, by the offal of
the fish having been thrown overboard from this schooner upon it
— a practice which is exceedingly destructive to the fisheries,
wherever it occurs.

From the Sisters to Cape Chignecto, there is not much fishing,
the coast being lofty, without sheltet, and greatly exposed to
southerly or westerly gales. Between Isle Au Haut and Cape
Chignecto, there is a bank extending almost entirely across that
channel, upon which there is good fishing the greater part of every
sutnmer. The residents of Advocate Harbour formerly fished to
some extent upon this bank ; but the want of boat shelter at Isle
Au Haut, has induced them to discontinue it almost entirely.

The writer landed above Cape D'Or, at Fisherman's Cove, near
Spencer's Island. At this place, there is fishing for cod, pollack,
and. haddock, commencing about the 1 0th of May every year ; the
best fishing is in June and July, and it altogether ceases in
August. There are 25 fishing boats at this place, each boat 16
feet keel ; the fishing is near the shore, and every family fishes,
more or less. Early in the season, they catch a large herring, in
a mesh of '21 inches ; as the season advances they take a herring
that is smaller, but fatter, distinguished as " green-backs.0 These
are caught in a mesh of 2 inches. At tiie end of July, or early in
August, a small herring makes its appearance, described by the
fishermen as being four or five inches in length, thickest at one-
fourth of their length from the head*, and tapering ofif to the tail like
a smelt. What these fish are, it is impossible to say from the
description given by the fishermen. Flounder fishing begins her||
about the first of June ; but these fish are not in condition untir
xYugust, after which they become fat and good.

From Spencer's Island to Cape Sharp, a distance of 20 miles,
there is a wide sweep of coast, known on the charts as Greville
Bay ; there is good fishing inshore nearly the whole extent of this
Bay, especially near Ratchford's River, Diligence River, Fox
River, and Black Rock River. Inside Fox Point, and at the
race off Cape Sharp, there is good pollack fishing ; these fish
appeared in great numbers, at these localities, during the past
season ; yet few were taken, owing to the inhabitants not being
prepared.

At Black Rock River there are several brush- weirs for taking
herrings ; these first appear a* the latter end of April, but the
greatest abundance is at the end of May. The first herrings which
arrive are spawning fish ; they deposit such quantities of spawn,

Report on the Fisheries in the Bag of Fundi/. 155

that it can be shovelled up upon the boach. At the latter end of
June, and during July, a smaller description of herrings come in,
whioh are very fat ; of these, large quantities have been seen, play-
ing in the tide at a distance from the shore, but they do not approach
sufficiently near to enter the weirs, and the inhabitants Iwive no
nets. These small fat herrings are followed by pollack in great
numbers; and the pollack fishing is exi^ellent in the vicinity of
Cape Sharp, for about six weeks, ceasing at the end of August,
with the departure of tlie herrings.

In West Bay, there is good cod fishing until the middle of June ;
and the fishermen mentioned the taking of halibut of such extraor-
dinary size as to be almost incredible. Great quantities of flounders
— or flukes— />^//essa Umanda—^re taken along the coast in the
autumn, which are first salted, and then dried and smoked.

It was stated at Black Rock Beach, that although large quan-
tities of herrings had been taken in the weirs there during the
season, yet the weir owners had no salt to cure them, and allowed
all persons that pleased to take them away ; and when this place
was visited, on the 1st of October, it was slated by Richard Lank,
a resident fisherman, that they had not a single herring in their
houses for winter use. Fishing vessels from Saint John and
Grand Manan formerly visited this place, bringing abundance of
herring nets ; but the inhabitants thought these nets injured the
fishery, and by opposition and annoyance, succeeded in driving the
fishermen away.

The Basin of Mines.

At Parrsboro', it was stated by Jatnes Ralchford, Esquire, that
there are three runs of herring during the season ; the first arrive
about the 1 st of J une, heavy with roe, and the beaches are shortly
after covered with spawn. The second run are smaller, but better
fish ; while the third run are still smaller, but very fat, by far the
^est fish of the season. The cod follow the herrings, and continue
as long as they remain. Of late years, cod have greatly decreased
in numbers, while haddock have been more abundant. Abreast
the Village of Parrsboro' long-lines have been set for cod with
much success, by an amateur fisherman, who lifted them three
*times a day during the season, and usiiplly found them loaded
with fish. There are no regular fishermen at this place, although
during a certain portion of the spring and summer, herring fishing
and line fishing might be prosecuted to some extent, and with
considerable profit.

The coast from Parrsboro' to Economy Point was visited, and
the information obtained from David M'Burney, Esq., of East
River, (Five Islands,) Silas P. Crane, Esq., of Ejonomy, and
other persons on the coast, may be thus stated : —

On the northern shore of the Basin of Mines, the shad fishery
begins at Herrington's River, to the eastward, of Parrsboro'
River, and extends along the coast to Port-a- Pique, a distance of
21 miles. The fishing is carried on both by weirs and drifting ;
in the whole distance there are about 20 brush-weirs. Between
Graham's Head and Economy Point, the flats for about four miles,

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156 Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

were observed to have an almost unbroken continuance of these
weirs, crescent shaped, the ends of the weirs touching each other.

Mr. Crane estimated the whole quantity of shad taken in'thia
district, during the season, by drift-nets and weirs, at 1000 bar-
rels Drift-nets first came into use here about five years ago,
since which the weirs have taken the small shad only. The fish
taken here are of very good quality ; but Mr. Crane said, he
thought the Minudie shad a shade fatter and better.

The mode of curing shad here is as follows : — The fish are split
down the back, cleaned, and washed in salt water ; they are tlien
struck in salt, in hogsheads ; at the end of a fortnight, they are
considered sufficiently struck, and are then packed in barrels for
market. There is no inspection of fish, the chief Inspector at
Halifax not having, appointed any Deputies in this district. The
practice of soaking and draining shad, is here deprecated, as tend-
ing to impoverish the fish, which it is contended can be sufficiently
freed from blood and impurities, by cleanliness and care in split-
ting and dressing.

At Economy Point, Mr. Holliday has a fishing establishment
for catching and curing shad, in connection with Messrs. Snow
and Rich, the eminent fish merchants of Boston. As the Shad
cured at this establishment are for the Boston market exclusively,
they are split down the belly, the back bone taken out, and the
head and tail cnt off; they are then called "mess shad," and
are worth, at Economj'-, 32s. Gd. per 200lbs. It was stated, that
Mr. Holliday used nets with a mesh of 5^ inches, the desire being
to take the largest and finest, shad only ; his nets are 200 fathoms
long, and drying frames are used to stretch* them upon, after being
in use.

Herrings also strike in on this coast, as at Cape Sharp and
Parrsboro', but not in such quantities. Some cod ard taken
from early spring until Ist of June, and again in November and
December, by lines attached to poles driven in the flats. T^oUack
do not go up the Basin beyond Five Islands, the waters being too
muddy ; basse were formerly abundant, but none are seen now,
they having been destroyed by the weirs, and by nets set across
the rivers. Many salmon are taken in Economy River, but.
they are of small size, rarely exceeding the weight of 41bs. ;
all the rivers in this locality are frequented by these small salmon,
in greater or iess numbers. At Five Islands, and some other
places along this coast, it was stated, that the inhabitants were
rarely provided with a sufficiency of salt, when the herrings first
came in the 8prii.;>: ; and that numbers were lost and spoiled in
consequence.

At Windsor, the writer obtained from Mr. James Burgess, a
practical fislierman of much skill and intelligence, some very
valuable information ; from this, and his own observations on the
southern side of the Basin of Mines, as well as ' )m conversations
with many fishermen there, the following account of the fisheries
in that locality is compiled.

The taking of shad by drift-nets was begun in Windsor River,
about twelve years ago. The fishing begins in each season, about

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Report on the Fisheries in the Boy of Ftindy.

157

the 25th June, and continues until about the 10th of August, after
which it begins to fail, and is not followed later, the number of fish
cauglit being too i&vt to be profitable. The fishermen drift from
Avon Bridge down to Cape Blomidon, dropping down with the
ebb, and returning with the flood ; they drift both by night and by
day, the water being excessively muddy, but as Blomidon is
approached, the fishing is only by night, as the water tliere is
clearer.. At Windsor, the "shad-worm" is found upon the mud
flats, but the shad are supposed to feed chiefly on shrimps, \^;hich
are in great abundance and of fine quality; they are often ibund
hanging upon the shad-nets, of large size, nearly as large as prawns.
The shrimps leave the river in August, and the shad depart at the
same time ; it is thence inferred that ihe shad follow the shrimps
to some other locality.

On the flats below Boot Island, in Windsor River, and thence
down to Flat Island, there are standing nets in which shad are taken
later in the season than by drifting. The quantity taken between
the Town of Windsor and i.j jrton Bluff" is estimated at 1000 barrels
annually, which, last season, were worth there, on the average,
32s. 6d. per barrel, as they are all good fish, and care is taken in
curing them. The Windsor shad are split down the back, well
washed, and salted at Sackviile ; thus dressed and cured, 1 10 fish
fill a barrel. Last season they sold at Boston for $9 per barrel,
less by $1 per barrel than if thej'' had been dressed for the Ameri-
can market, as '* mess shad," in the manner in which thev are
put up by Mr. HolHday, Pt Economy, for the Boston dealers.

The shad fishery is carried on' to the eastward of Windsor, partly
by drifting, but chiefly by stake-nets, on the wide spread flats in
front of Cheverie ; thence the fishing is continued' to the Shubena-
cadie river, up which the spring shad ascend to the Shubenacadie
lakes, for the purpose of spawning. During the past season, a
stake-net was put up at Noel, between two and three miles in length,
in whicli several thousand shad were taken during a single tide ;
this enormous net is owned in shares by a company, and such
quantities were taken in it during the height of the fishing season,
that the owners were obliged to work without ceasing, and even
on the Sabbath, to preserve the vast numbers of fish it secured.

The drifts-nets in use at Windsor are 100 fathoms in length, o6
to 15 meshes deep ; the mesh is from 4? to 5 inches — it is being
diminished yearly, in order to secure a greater number of fish.
The expense arising from the rotting of the nets, after being a very
short time in use, was matter of complaint at Windsor, as else-
where ; but it was found, that Mr. Burgess, during the past season,
had, as matter of experiment, used acomposition of his own devising
and manufacture, which had effectually preserved his nets from
rotting. Tin's composition consisted of India rubber, dissolved in
the ordinary burningfluid for lamps, until it became of the thickness
of rich cream. To this solution, boiled linseed oil was added, in
tJlp.jDroportion of a pint of oil to a gallon of the solution ; the nets,
rga'j^p'jp/^^^yf^^Jiyji'jng twine, were simply passed ti»rongh the

miMl mW^h^^ stretched out

to dry, 1 hey dried in three days, ana were tlien of a light reddish

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158 Report on the Fisheries in the Bai/ of Fundi/.

colour, very nearly that of the muddy waters in which they were
to be used. The nets thus prepared by Mr. Burgess were fished
by him during the whole season of 1850 ; in October, they were
examined by the writer, wlio, with the permission of Mr. Burgess,
tested them thoroughly in every part. They were found perfectly
sound and strong, fully sufficient for fishing another year.

This mixture having been mentioned by the writer to Dr. Charles
T. Jackson, the celebrated chemist of Boston, its preservative
qualities were at once admitted by him ; but he said, that some-
thing much better, and less expensive, might probably be found
by a few scientific experiments. The preservation of shad nets
from sudden decay,ismatterof very great importance to the fishery,
not only as regulating its extent, but also the profits to be derived
fron; it. No greater boon could be conferred upon the shad fishers
of Cumberland Bay, than the invention of a cheap composition,
that would prevent their nets from rotting, and permit their use
until fairly worn out.

The practice of drying nets upon the grass was reprobated by
Mr. Burgess, as highly injurious under any circumstances ; in his
opinion, all nets will last longer if stretched en proper drying frames,
after being in use.

Salmon ascend the /ivon, and its tributaries, in considerable
numbers ; many of the smaller size are taken in the shad nets, but
the larger fish break directly through, the thread not being suffi-
cient to retain them. The spring shad do not go up the Avon to
spawn, nor has any roe been found in the shad caught there.

Great numbers of gaspereau every spring ascend the Shubena-
cadie, the Avon, the Horton, and Cornwallis Rivers to spawn. —
Those taken in the Avon, are large but poor ; in the other rivers,
ihey are much smaller, but thicker and fatter. In the weirs, on
the flats below Windsor, small fish, called "shiners," are frequently
taken :; these are a little fish, shaped like the gaspereau, very
silvery on the belly, and very fat— they are only used as a pan-fish,
and are excellent when eaten fresh.

At Pereau, just below Habitant River, a description of very small,
but very fat fish, not unlike herrings, are taken in August. The
oil from them stains the hands, and they are so unctuous, that they
are very difTicult to cure. They are often sold fresh from the
weirs, at tenpence per bushel ; but cartloads are frequently used
to manure the land. The fishermen are decidedly of opinion, that
they are not young herrings, but a distinct fish ; when taken they
are full of roe, and ready for spawning. The writer had not an
opportunity of seeing any of these fish, and is therefore unable to
class them. It is quite possible they may prove to be sardines,
some specimens of which have been occasionally caught in the
Hay of Fundy.

Cod are frequently taken at the mouth of the Avon, by single
lines attached to stakes. Hake are said to be abundant in that
part of the Basin of Mines, between the mouth of Cornwallis
River, and Cape Blomidon ; they appear about the 1st of August,
and may be taken during the rest of the season, in seven fathoms
water.

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy-

159

Smelts ascend all the rivers in tbis locality, at the close of
winter, in almost miraculous abundance. Basse were very plenty
formerly, but are'seldom seen now, having been thinned oifby the
weirs, and other contrivances. Tons of eels may be taken at any
time during the season ; one fisherman said, he had seen a stream
of eels, each as thick as his arm, pass through a gap in a weir,
during half an hour.

Very large sturgeon are also taken here ; but sharks are only
found on the northern side of the Basin, where the water is less
muddy ; they are there taken of large siae. Mr. Burgess had the
tail of one, caught there, of the " thresher" species, which mea-
sured 3 feet across ; this fish was probably 8 feet in length.

It was complained by the fishermen, that spring-nets were used
at the Cornwallis River, and Habitant River, which, they said,
destroyed great quantities of fish of all kinds ; this is a matter for
inquiry by the authorities of Nova Scotia.

The South Shore of the Bay of Fundy.

To the southward of Cape Split, is Scotch Bay, a wide, open
roadstead, with extensive mud-flats at its upper extreme. Consi-
derable quantities of shad are taken on these flats, chiefly in weirs ;
but a large seine was also used, of which complaint was made, as
being injurious to the fisheries, by taking numbers of small'fish of
every description. Here the shad fishery ceases on the southerri
shore of the Bay of Fundy, and the geologi'^ii character of the
coast changes. The bold and rugged cliffs r the south shore con-
sist chiefly of trajt rocks.

From Black Rock down to Brier Island along the whole south
shore, there are three fishing banks or ledges, lying parallel to the
ahore, outside each other ; their respective distances from the coast,
have acquired for them the designations of the three mile ledge —
the five mile ledge—and the nine mile ledge. On these ledges,
there are 60 fathoms of water, but on the crown of each ledge, 30
fathoms only. The 3 mile ledge, and the 5 mile ledge, extend

Suite down to Brier Island ; but the 9 mile ledge can only be traced
own the Bay, about 14 miles below Digby Gut, abreast of Trout
Cove, wliere it ends in deep water. Below Digby Gut, the 3 mile
ledge and 5 .lile ledge are composed of hard gravel and red clay ;
above the i i;, the 3 mile ledge has a rough, rocky bottom, on
which anchois are frequently ^ost. Each of these ledges is about a
mile in width, the outer one Jiomething more ; between them the
bottom is soft mud

In April, the small rocic cod strike in on the south shore, which
they follow up to Cape Hplit, whence they cross to the New Bruns-
wick side of the bay. This is the opinion of the Yankee fisher-
men, who follow them at that season, fishing close in shore ; and
with them, they take ^nany halibut of Ittrge size. i)i\ the ledges,
the best fishing is in June and July ; but the fishing continues
until the end of September. The cod taken on the ledges, in June
and July, are well fed fish, 30 of which, on the average, wdimake
a quintal. Pollack strike in generally during July ; but the past
season they made their appearaiice in May ; the fishing for them

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

usually lasts until the end of September — their average size is 40
to the quintal.

On the ledges, lir.e-fishing on the bottom can 'only be followed
on the " slacks" of the tide ; during the run of the tide, the fish-
ermen employ themselves in taking pollack by trailing near the
surface. Large hake are often taken on the ledges, with the cod ;
tiiirty of them will make a quintal. It is supposed, that these
hake feed upon ihe soft bottom between the ledges, it being such
as hake are usually found upon, and that they venture occasionally
upon the ledges, or an in the act of crossing them, when taken.

Amia polls Basin.

In this beautiful Basin, long celebrated for its fisheries, cod,
pollack, hake, haddock, and halibut, are taken, nearly all th year
round ; and here also are caught those delicious small herrings,
which, when smoked, are known everywhere as " Digby Chickens."
Small salmon ascend the Anilapolis River, and its branches ; shad
are taken in the Basin, in July ; smelts are exceedingly abundant
in the spring ; flounders are taken during the whole summer ; cod
are best in the autumn ; mackerel frequently enter during the
season, and are caught in the herring weirs; eels may be caught in
any quantity ; lobsters are found in various parts of the Basin ;
clams are to be had everywhere on the flats, and the American
fishermen frequently land to dig them for bait; on Bear Island
Bar, there are extensive beds of large scallops ; shrimps abound in
tiie Gut, where numbers of porpoises are shot by the Indians, while
chasing the small herrings.

The principal fishery, however, is that hx the small herrings to
be cured by smoking, which are taken aUogether in brush-weirs,
not exceeding 8 feet in height ; these are renewed every season,
the ice usually carrying away the greater portion of them, at the
close of the winter. The wiers oi the Clements side of the Basin
were visited by the writer, and thi' following information was there
obtained, chiefly from Mr. Simon Wm. Riley of Annapolis, Messrs.
Ditraars, rod Wm, L. Ray, of Moose River, and Messrs. Ditmars
of Bear River. The writer was assisted in obtaining information
by George Millidge, Esq., of Annapolis, to whom his acknowledge-
ments are due.

There were 17 weirs in Annapolis Basin in order for fishing
during the past season ; the catch of fish was unusually small,
much smaller than it had been for years. Formerly the quantity
of herrings cured in this Basin, was from 25,000 to 30,000 boxes
annually ; and twenty years ago, the average catch of every weir,
was 2000 boxes each season. The whole quantity cured during
the season of 1850, from the catch of all the weirs in the Basis,
was supposed not to exceed 2000 boxes.

The small herrings enter the Basin at the last of May, but the
great bodies offish come in June and 'uly ; after passing through
the Gut, they follow up the Granville shore to tho Potter Settle-
ment, near Annapolis, and thence strike over southwesterly, to
the Clements side, directly across a large bar, or nuddlo ground.
On this bar, weirs were first put up about three years since, and

I

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

161

they are dry at very low spring-tides only ; some of the weir owners
on the Clements shore, complained greatly of these weirs, which,
they say, have broken up the schulls offish, and rendered their weirs
of no valre, as they catch nothing. Mr. Ray said, that he formerly
cured 1400 boxes of herrings every season, from the catch of his
weir near Moose river ; the quantity gradually diminish "d to 400
boxes, and after the weirs were placed on the bar, it fell off to 200
boxes ; during the season of 1850, he did not get a single fish.

The first lierrings of the season are of all sizes, from four inches
in length, up to the largest. In June and July the schulls are of
more uniform size ; the best fish for smoking, are 8 or 9 inches in
length, a round, fat, handsome, herring — those less than 7 inches
in length are not smoked.

It was alleged by Mr. Riley, of Annapolis, that about one half
of all the fish canght in the weirs, are entirely lost; almost all the
weirs are dry at low water ; and he stated, that he had sometimes
seen 300 or 400 barrels of small herrings taken during a single tide,
left in the weir to spoil. The weirs are not opened on Saturday
night ; and as the fish are not removed on Sunday, they are wholly
lost ; some of the weirs have gates, but very many of them have
not. It was further asserted by Mr. Riley, that the people were
too lazy to remove the spoiled fish from tiieir weirs, where the mud
immediately made over them ; and in a good fishing season, the
herrings would accumulate in a weir to the depth of two feet. —
Some of the fish thus left to be buried in the mud last season, were
bought by Mr. George Millidge, who carted up 200 barrels of
them, to add to his compost heap ; and of this there was no doubt.
But Mr. Riley's statements were denied by Mr. Ray, who said that
the weir owners were very particular in clearing out their weirs,
as if dead fish were left in them, the live ones would not enter, and
no more would be caught. As it is quite certain thai this fishery
has fallen off lo such an extent, as forebodes its ceasing altogether,
the causes of its decay are suggested as a fit subject of inquiry, in
Nova Scotia.

The Messrs. Ditmars are among the best curers in the Basin,
and the mode in which they cure " Digby Chickens," is as follows:

The fish are scaled by being washed in bushel baskets with a
square bottom, open like a coarse sieve, the men standing in the
water up to their knees. The best fish have very few scales, and
only half a bushel of them are taken in the basket at once ; they
are then salted in large tubs, the salt being stirred through them
by hand ; the quantity used, is half a bushel of salt, to two and a
half barrels of fish, which are a tub full. They lay in salt 24 hours,
and are then washed in fresh water to prevent their becoming
*' salt burnt," after which, they are strung on rods, with their heads
nil one way, and thcit hiina up in the smoke-house. In Clements,
the smoke houses are usually /'lO feet square, with 14 feet posts,
and a high roof; no fish hang nearer the fire than seven feet, but
the roost careful curers do not hang them nearer than eight feet.
Rook mp.ple only is used for smoking ; when it cannot be procured,
ash is usfl, being considered the best description of wood after rock
mtij^le. Beech and birch are deeded very infe/ior; and it is thought

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Report on the Fisheries in the Boy of Fundy,

that prime •• Digby Chickens," to possess the most perfect cure,
and finest flavour, must be smoked with rock maple alone.

The process ofsmoking usually occupies 8 weeks ; and it requires
the whole time of one person to watch the fire, and attend to the
smoking, in which much judgment and great care are required.
The smoke is usually made up at night-fall, unless the weather is
warm and wet, during which time no fires are made. In fine
weather, the smoke-housps are thrown open during the day to
cool ; and the greatest care is taken, at all times, to keep down
heat, and to render the smoke-houses as cool as possible, by nume-
rous windows and openings. After being smoked, the fish are
packed in boxes of the established size ; these are 18 inches long,
10 inches wide, and 8 inches deep, measured on the inside ; and
there should be 12 rods, or 24 viozen of fish, in a box of prime
-herrings. If the fish are krge and of the best quality, it requires
some pressure to get this number into a box.

The diflerences between the modes of curing smoked herrings in
Annapolis Basin, and that in use at Grand Manan and Campo
Bello, consist principally in the greater care in washing the fish,
and handling them in baskets, in small quantities ; in hanging
them at a greater distance from the fire ; in the use of rock maple,
almost exclusively, for smoking ; and in precautions taken to keep
the smoke-houses cool at all times, while the process of smoking
is going on.

In Ure's Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines, (Article
" Putrefaction,") the process of curing provisions by smoking, is
thus described : —

" Smoking. — This process condsts in exposing meat previously salted, or merely
rubbed over with salt, to wood smoke, in an apartment so distant from the fire,
as not to be unduly heated by it, and into which the smoke is admitted by flues
at the bottom of the side walls. Here the meat combines with the empyreumatic
acid of the smoke, and gets dried at the same time. The quality of the wood
has an influence apon the quality and taste of the smoke-dried meat ; smoke
from beech and oak, being preferable to that from fir and larch. Smoke from
the twigs and berries ofjuniper, from rosemary, peppermint, &r. imparts some-
what of the aromatic flavour of these plants. A slow smoking with a slender
fire, is preferable to a rapid and powerful one, as it allows the empyreumatic
principles time to penetrate into the interior substance, without drying the
outside too much. The process of smoking depends upon the action of the
wood acid, or the creosote, volatilized with it."

The writer sincerely hopes, that from the information here given,
with reference to the cure of smoked herrings in the Basin of Anna-
polis—which have hitherto borne the highest character, and obtained
the highest price — the curers of Grand Manan and Campo Bello
may draw some hints for their guidance, which will enable them
hereafter to cure their fish equally well, and compete successfully
with the " Digby Chickens."

"Brier Island.

There is a large fidhing population in the Brier Island fishing
district, whi(«h includes I^ong Island, and part of the adjacent
shore. Front the bt'st information that could be obtained, it was
fo«nd that this district bends toikhe fisheries between 40 and 50

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy. 163

vessels, from 15 to 30 tons each, and upwards of 100 shore boats.
The vessels have generally five men, and the boats two men each.

The cod fishing commences about the 20th of April, and con-
tinues until October. The first fishing is in shore, at the distance
of half a mile to a mile and a half from the land ; as the season
advances, the fish go off into deep water, on the ledges. Pollack
fishing, the next in importance, begins about the 15th of June, and
lasts until the end of September ; they are caught chiefly on " the
rips" occasioned by the conflict of tides ; those caught off Brier
Island will average 35 or 40 to the quintal. In the latter part of
the season, it requires the livers of 1 8 quintals of pollack only, to
make a barrel of oil ; — they must therefore be in fine condition,
and prime fish.

Captain Laffoley, a native of Jersey, who has lived 32 years at
Brier Island, stated to the writer, that the principal fisheries there,
were those for cod and pollack. From that Island, the fisheries
are prosecuted chiefly in chebacco-boats and shallops, from 1 6 to
24 tons burthen ; in these the fish are split and salted on board. —
In the spring, they fish off the western part of Brier Island, and
thence to Cape St. Mary, in 15 to 60 fathoms water, with a tide of
four knots. At mid-summer, they fish in 60 fathoms water, off Bear
Cove, (Petite Passage) and thence to the '* west-north-west bank,"
about 9 miles from the land, in 15 to 30 fathoms water, with a 6
knot tide. Of course, bottom Asking can only be prosecuted on
*' the slacks." During the summer, the fishing vessels sometimes
run down to the Lurcher Ledge, 20 miles S.S.W. from Brier
Island, and there fish in 15 to 30 fathoms water ; at this ledge
they rarely fail to get a full fare of cod in a few days, with favour-
able weather. On the fishing grounds mentioned, it is very rare
to take either hake, or haddock, the bottoms being rocky and very
rough. Halibut are very abundant, and of large size, especially
upon a bank, 6 miles west of Brier Island. In summer, they are
frequently a plague to fishermen, wJmi shift their ground to avoid
them, as they soon fill up a boat or small vessel. Captain Laf-
foley said, he had frequently seen halibut thrown on the beach as
worthless, the fins and napes only being cut off ; in spring much
halibut is dried, but in summer it will not dry, as the flies spoil it
at that season.

The fair average catch of a Brier Island fishing vessel, by line-
fishing during the summer, is 100 quintals of fish to each man.

The mode of curing cod was thus described by captain Laffoley,
as that generally followed by those who desired to make dried fish
of the first quality. Before being split, the fish are washed ; after
being dressed and split, they are again washed. Cod are salted
with half a bushel of salt to a quintal o' fish ; in summer not quite
80 much, as Uien they take salt quicker. They lay in salt five or
six days, after which they are washed, and put in pile to drain for
24 hours ; they are then put on the flakes to dry. After eight or
nine days of fine weather, they are put in press-pile, in which they
remain a week or Aiore to sweat ; they are then spread out again
on a fine day, after which they alfe put once lAore in press-pile, in
which they remain, until they are put into store, or shipped for

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164

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of FuncJtf.

exportation. The cod cauglit in deep water off Brier Island, an?
exceedingly large, thick, well fed fish, of the best description.
Some of these, cnred by captain Laffoley, were inspected by the
writer; they were 14 to the quintal, and could hardly be surpas-
sed, either in the intrinsic excellence of the fish, or the admirable
manner in which they were cured, ff tlie fish caught in the Bay
of Fundy were all cured in the same perfect manner, there would
be no complaint of the want of markets ; wherever they might be
sent, they wonld be highly prized, and would at all times com-
mand remunerative prices.

The superiority of the large well fed cod, caught in the exceed-
ingly cold and deep water of this part of the Bay of Fundy, espe^
cially for table use, is perfectly understood by the American fislt-
ermen, who_ resort to these grounds every season, in great numbers.
Whole fleets of American fishing schooners appear off Brier Island
in the spring as soon as the fishery commences ; and it was com-
plained by captain Laffoley, as also by other fishermen of the same
locality, that these vessels disturb the fisheries in a variety of ways.
If they cannot buy bait, these fishermen come in shore, set then:
own nets in the best places, and in fact, do just what they please,
from mere snperiority of numbers.

Herrings make their appearance about the 1 0th of April every
season ; these are the large spawning herrings, full of roe. At
Brier Island, they are chiefly taken for bait ; but at Long Island,
and on ftie south shore up to Digby Out, and for some distance
above, many are taken in set nets and put up for sale. The nets
generally used are 20 fathoms long, and 4 fathoms deep, with a
mesh of 2^ inches ; these are set " off and on " shore, with grap-
nels and buoys.

The deep-sea herring fishery commences at the end of May ; it
is prose nted in open daylight, at half a mile, to six miles, from the
land, with the same nets as in spring. Wherever the fish are seen
to break, the nets are thrown over and allowed to remain in the
water from five to ten minutes only ; they are then taken in,
cleared of fish, and again thrown over — this is continued as long
as any fish can be taken. These are excellent herrings, and the
fishing for them continues until the middle af July. After that
time, the herrings strike over to the " ripplings" of Grand Manan,
where they continue to play during the rest of the season, these
" ripplings '* abounding with shrimps in vast quantities. At tire
full and change of the moon, on the spring tides, the Brier Island
fishing vessels go over to fish on the *' ripplings," as during those
tides, the herrings are fonnd there in greatest abundance.

No capelin has ever been seen at Brier Island ; the shores are
probably too rocky, and there is too much tide and surf. Squid
(cuttle-fish — sepia arctica,) in some seasons, appear in August,
and continue until October ; they are by far the best bait, when-
ever they can be procured.

Israel Outhouse, a fisherman residing at Petite Passage, said
the average catch of each man, in the shore boats, was 50 quintals
of fish during the season. It wlis formerly much more, but lias
decreased of late years, owing, as he believes, to there being more

Report vn i/te Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy,

165

fieliermen on tke ground. The mackerel fishery, he says, was
very uncertain ; sometimes very goorj, and then none at all. A
few only were taken during the past season ; the^e were caught
solely by line fislilng on Uie trail, and not with jigs, in the Ame-
rican fashion, that mode of fishing not being generally underftood
or followed.

Mr. Payson, a magistrate of Brier Island, Mr. Robert Cutler
Jones, and other -gentlemen connected with this coast, are clearly
of opinion, tliat the herring fishery might be prosecuted profitably,
to a much greater extent than at present ; and they agreed, that
tJie cod taken off Brier Island, especially on the we»t-north-west
bank, were probably as fine, well fed fish, as could possibly be
found anywhej-e. Their excellence, they said, was fully admitted
by the Americans, who came there to fish, expressly with the view
of curing the cod they caught iis "table fish," which bring a high
price in their own market.

Mr. Benjamin H. Uugglee, of the Customs Department at
Westport, Brier Island, furnished the following information as to
the fisheo-ies there. After describiug the mode of curing cod, as
already stated, Mr. Rnggles says : —

" Il^t^rrings, tu g«aer!ii, are badly cure<l with ui^ The siiiHtner herrings, iu
particular, require much cure; they should he split with a knife, scraped inside,
and then passed through clear, ccol water. Eai'h fish should be separately filled
with salt, and then ])a«'ked away, not to ^e again repacked. None should be
bi-nded No. 1, unless cured in this miiHncr; our fishermen are too eager for
quantity, without regard to quality.; hut the law of tlus Province relati-ve tu the
uispection of pirkled fish, has -caused more caution than heretofore-

" I believe that if no herrings were allowed to be entered at the Custom
Houses iu New Brunswick, but those legally cleared from some Custom House
in this Province, it would j)revent much imposition on the country people of
Kew Brunswick. As it is, many herrings are clandestinely shipped trom tlws
Provini'C and sold in New 13ru»6wick, by which many ar« shauielully deceived,
and the character of the fish greatly iigured.

*' 1 am well convinced, that if the Americano were alloweo to fish In common
with our fishermen, in consideration of our •fish being admitted into the American
Kiarket rr«>e of duty, it would be to our advantage. The Americans, at present,
enjoy all -the fishing grounds of any worth in the Bay of Fundy ; and all thej
require i«, the liberty of taking bait frt^jly, of which they now procure a supply
clandestinely. The American market, even with the present duty, is a rather
better market for our best quality of dry fish, than can 'be foand in the
Provinces."

The following return of the boats, vessels, and men, behnginp to the Parish of
fVentport, andemj^loyed in the fisheries, also the quantity of fish caught by them
diiring^he season r*/* 1850, is furnished by Mr. Htiggles : —

Number and descripiiou «l

^Its.

8tls of

Boats and Vessselg

No. 01

Fair average catch per mnn of the

diy

her-

Brls of

employed.

Men

products oi the fisheries.

fish.

rings.

cod.

48 open boats, 2 men «ach.

90

70 quintals dry .fish per man,
6 barrels herrings per do.
1 barrel oil per do.

f.J20

576

96

26 d«eked vessels, from 18

to 30 tons, average S men to

«ach, ^. .^

130

90 quintal dry fieh per man,
100 bariels herrings eacli vessel,
2 barrels oil per man^

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2,600

260

« vessels, in all 240 tens,

oae trip lathe Magdalen

350 barre^erriAgs each vessel,
Total,

Islands in the spring, for

JierringK,

30

■ •

2,100

Total, men

256

le.'^o

6,276

366

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1 66 Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fitnth/.

The quantity of herrings smoked at Brier Island is small, nofc
exceeding 500 boxes in a season.

The valuable and varied fisheries of St. Mary's Bay, were not
inspected by the writer, whose inquiries in the Bay of Fundy^
terminated at Brier Island.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

THE CURE OP FISH.

It is quite clear from wliat has been previously stated, that all
the fish taken in the Bay of Fundy, on the New Brunswick side,
are very badly cured, whether jMckled, dried, or 8m«»ked v and
there is besides, great deficiency in the welglit of barrels of pickled
fish. In fact, no reliance whatever can be placed upon the inspec-
tion, or the weight of fish, although the barrels may bear the brand
of an inspector regularly appointed. Besides being highly injurious
to the interests of commerce, and to the advancement of the fish-
eries, it is highly discreditable to allow tlie laws to be thus openly
evaded, and set at defiance.

The fish of the Bay of F'undy, when drawn from the water, are
most excellent ; they can scarcely be equalled, and certainly not
surpassed elsewhere. Yet these admirable fisli, either from igno-
rance, neglect, or laziness, or all combined, are so wretchedly
cured, as only to be fit for the poorest markets, and are only sohi
because there is an insufficient supply of fish generajly. While
thousands of quintals of cod, caught in tlie Bay of Chaleur, and
cured in the best manner on the sliores of New Brunswick, have
been shipped annually by the Jersey merchants, from Shippagan and
Caraquet, to Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Sicily, and the Italian States,
not a single quintal of fisli has been sent from the P>ay of Fundy
to the markets of the Mediterranean, because none have been
cured fit to send ! And even of the second and third c^u ^lities of
fish (distinguished as " Madeira" and " West India") the cure has
been so indifferent, that their slvipment to foreign markets, has
almost invjiriably been attended with loss to the exporter.

The following letter from Edward Allison, Esquire, a highly
respectable merchant of this city, who is earnestly engaged in
endeavours to open various branches of trade witti distant foreign
markets, explains clearly, and distinctly, the frauds to which
exporters are subjected, and the losses accruing from badly cured
fish : —

«' Saint John, 20th November ^ 1850.

" Sir, — For peveral years past, our house has been among the principal
exporters offish — largely of alewives to the United States, and to a considerable
extent, in cod, hake, haddock, &c. to the British and Foreign West Indies.

" Oor cure of alewives has generally given sarisfaction ; but there is great
dissatisfaction as to the inspection, and more especially as regards weight. This
is of much consequence, and in seasons like the past, when fish were scarce, and
more valuahle than salt, there has beea a general deficiency of fish in the
barrel. In fact, with the excentio-^jpf a few brands, bo dependence as to
character or weight is given by the ijBection. I believe that the pickled fish
arc rarely, if ever, weighed prior to packing. An ordinary herring barrel, which
is, I believe, 17 inches in the head, and 31 ibches in the stave^ will not contain

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Report on the Fisheries in the Day of Fundi/.

16T

2001bff. of ttlewiven, unless packed with grent care and nttention. The short
weight of our alewives has already proved its eflfert upon their oharacter, and ia
the West India markets they will not sell at full prieeo, unless subject to ht'ing
re-weighed. We are aware of a serious deduction having to be submitted to,
in a parcel shipped to Juiuaica a few months since. They were sold at a good
price, but on delivery wore found so short of weight, that the deJuctioii swept
away all profit, csppcially as duties and expenses were paid as on amerchantnble
article. In re-packing a parcel also for the ship " Courier," for the market of
Mauritius, we found scarcely a barrel to contain more than 1()01bs. or 170lb8.
of fish, although inspected, and branded, " No. I, 200lbs.'' This is a serious
evil, and must be remedied, or it will (iestroy the export trade in this article.

" We are told that the empty barrels are frequently branded prior to packing,
and I am informed, they are so delivered at the cooperage. I'he Corporation
should nominate only persons of character to fill the responnible office of inspec-
tor ; on their being sworn in, they should take substantial bonds (or the faithful
performance of the duties, and deal rigidly with the delinquents. This we think
the most salutary way to correct the serious evil which now exists. The
Corporation should also take care to prosecute tho$e who act as inspectors,
without qualifying themselves. We could name those who have branded as
inspectors this year, but who have not been licenced to do so, and they escape
because not prosecuted.

*' The codfish, hake, and haddock are certainly very inferior in quality to
those shipped at Halifax, and I much fear that our exports of dry fish will not
be an important item, until the quality is improved. This does not apply so
much to the fish, as to the want of care, and attention to splitting, curing, and
drying. I can safely say, I have not seen a strictly merchantable fall, since I
have resided here— 1 mean such fish as are shipped from Halilax, Newfoundland,
and Cape Breton. 'J'here the fi^h are so completely cured and dried, that many
are shipped in bulk, to Europe and South America, and reach their destinations
in good order ; while the best we can get h^re, carefully screwed, rarely reach
their destination in as good order as we would wish. The fault is — want of
care in splitting and salting, but more especially in drying; we rarely get them
so dry, as not to show pickle under the screw. I'his is not known elsewhere,
and until our fish are better made, they are not fit to ship.

" During the past few years, we have made various shipments of fish to foreign
ports, and with doubtful success, arising from their delivery in bad order; and
we are almost discouraged from shipping dry fish, until we can purchase an
article better prep; '•'d for a sea voyage.

Your obedient servant,

Edward Allison.
M. H. Perlpv Esq '

III a note to tii^* writer, which accompanied the above letter,
Mr. Allison says: —

" To contend with, there is ii u-h ignorance, carelessness, and unwillingness to
learn, and it will require all your patience to accomplish the object you have in
view. Much of the difficulty arises from local circumstances. Our fishermen
have a choice of markets between St. .John and Kastport, and if they get flour
cheaper at thelatte it is an inducement to Like their fish there. The evil is,
that our people have no certaiii market; they go today to Kastport ; to-morrow
to Saint .lohn, or elsewhere; in the meantime they get into a careless way of
attending to their fish, not preparing thi i for any market especially, and not
expecting to keep them long on hand, th y do not dry them, as they should do."

T'v/ advantages which have arisen from the careful inspection
of hfiiuigs in Scotland, and the great confidence given by theoffi-
del Uruid affixed by the Officers of the Board of British Fisheries,
to i'?(;l.^'jsh herrings in foreign markets, have been stated in t e
writer 8 preceding Reports. Since those Reports were presentfi
certain Resolutions passed by the Chamber of Commerce of Wiok
and Pnlteney Town, and laid befo?e Parliament, have been received,
the substance of which may be thus briefly stared. The first

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

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resolution states, that before the establishment of the Fishery
Board, the total quantity of herrings cured in Scotland amounted
to about 90,000 barrels, which have been increased by the Guard's
exertions to 600,000 barrels, while the mode of caring, t ssorting,
and putting up, or preparing, for various markets, had been im-
proved in at least a sinnlar ratio. The next resolution states, that
the'increajje in the exportation of herrings to foreign markets could
not have been arrived at in so short a time, bflt for the care taken
in atlixing the official brand, which serves as a passport in all
foreign countries, freeing the trader from many expensive and
vexatious regulations formerly enforced by foreign governments.

In consequence of the ''ull reliance placed upon the official brand
in Scotland, barrels of herrings bearing it, are transferred from
hand to hand on the contii^ent, with the utmost confidence, and
transported to the most distant parts of Europe. In 1849, it was
represented to the Fishery Boiird by the most influential mer-
chants of different cities on the continent, that the large commer-
cial dealings in which they engage with Great Britain for herrings,
are undertaken and maintained upon the Government Brand,
and that nearer markets would be resorted to, but for this attes-
tation of quality stamped upon British herrings.

FOREIGN MARKETS FOR FISH.

As a knowledge of the markets for fish properly cured, is mat-
ter of great importance, t'te writer has been at some pains to
acquire information as to the amount of duties and restrictions in
Europe and America, which is here submitted.

A large proportion of the pickled herrings of Scotland go to
Prussia, and the States under the Germanic Union of Customs ;
this is in consequence of the low duty. In the Germanic Union,
the duty is 3s. sterling per barrel on salted herrings, and Is. per
barrel on smoked herrings ; the quantity ot' Scotch herrings sent
there annually is 150,000 barrels.

Austria, an adjoining country, to which there is easy access
from Prussia, probably receives some of the British herrings; but
the duty there is 4s. sterling per barrel, besides a transit duty of
Is. 6d. per barre! on all herrings passing through Prussia, to Aus-
tria or Poland. In consequence of these duties, British herrings,
instead of becoming a staple export to Austria, as they ought to be,
to the Catholic population of that large empire, are reserved as
objects of luxury for the higher classes. The loss of a direct trade
with Austria, deprives the British merchant of a rich market,
which would carry off many thousand barrels of herrings.

Russia is another country to which« a large export of herrings
might be made, but a heavy ad-valorem duty is assessed upon
them, the value being calculated from the first imports of the sea-
son, which bring an extravagant price. In Russia, also, fish are
exposed to the injurious practice of braacking^ which consist in
opening the barrels, and removing the contents to inspect them.

In France, the 'duties on the importation offish are as follows-:
— Foreign fish by French vpsseFs, per 100 killograms, 40 franos»
or £1 12 6 sterling; if imported in foreign vessels, or by laod^

01118 ;
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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/. 169

44 francs, or £1 15 2 sterling. These high duties entirely ex-
clude British fish from the French market.

In Holland, the importation of all kinds of salt fish is prohibited.

In Belgium, the duties on British fish of every kind vary with
the season at which the importation takes place, as also whether
imported in a British or foreign vessel ; but all the duties are so
high as to«xclur.o herrings and dried fish.

No British fioii have been sent to Sweden or Denmark ; the
reason for this is not ascertained, but the extensive fisheries of
Norway preclude the hope of a market in that quarter.

Smoked herrmgs are sent from Scotland to Geneva, Leghorn,
Naples, Sicily, Venice and Trieste. In Naples and Sicily, the
duty is estimated as 10s. per barrel, which added to the freight,
renders the article a luxury, and keeps it from the greater part of
the population.

Imports of British fish, on a small scale, are received in Sardinia,
Tuscany, the Roman State's, Greece, and the Ottoman Empire,
with all of which, a triade of some extent might be established, but
for the uniform system of high duties kept up in each.

One or two vessels are cleared annually, at St. Jolms, Newfound-
land, with dried fish for the Ionian Islands, and for Egy^t ; but of
the value of the rrade in those quarters, no exact iuforntation has
been obtained.

In Portugal, the duty on cured fish is fixed at 1,600 reis, or
about 9s. sterling per quintal. The object of this high duty was,
to protect a fishing company whose operations have failed, and it
is now urged, that Portugal ought to relax this duty, and allow
the admission of British fish, on terms in accordance with the
reciprocal good relations which subsist between Portugal and Great
Britain, as to other articles of general commerce.

In Spain, foreign fish of all kinds, fresh, salted, or dried, except
codfish, and stockfish, are prohibited. If these are imported in
the vessels of Spain, a duty of 30 per cent, is charged ; if in foreign
vessels, the duty is 40 per cent, and this di (Terence gives the carry-
ing trade to the Spanish vessels. Great numbers of Spanish vessels
resort annually to Newfoundland for cargoes of dry. fish, and some
of these vessels have also visited Halifax for the same purpose. —
But none of the vessels of Spain have yet visited the Ports of New
Brunswick, although the fish caught near its shores are equally as
good as those of Newfoundland or Nova Scotia — their cure is so
bad, that they are rltogether unfit for the market of Spain.

With the Spanish Islands of Cuba and Porto Rico, an extensive
trade might be carried on in fish, in return for tropical products, if
the fish of New Brunswick were properly cured and dried to stand
the climate, and give satisfaction to the consumers. The writer
has procured from Washington, translations of the several tariffs of
duties levied on fish, in Cuba and Porto Rico, from which it appears
there are four separate rates. I'he lowest rate is on Spanish fish,
imported direct in a Spanish vessel ; the next, on foreign fish
imported from Spain in a Spanish vessel ; tiie third raie, is on. fish
imported direct from foreign countries in a Spanish vessel ; and
the fourth and highest rate, is on foreign fish, imported in a foreign

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

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ressel. Under the last of these rates, pickled herrings are subject
to a duty of 883 per cent, the value being established at ao uniform
rate of $4.50 per barrel; the amount of duty is therefore $1.52
per barrel. Dried fish of all kinds pay a duty of 27} per cent.,
the value being fixed at $3.50 per quintal of 100 lbs. ; the duty is
therefore 97 cents per 100 lbs. When foreign caught herrings and
dried fish, are imported in a Spanish vessel, they pay rates of duty
amounting to $ 1 .07 per barrel on herrings, and 69 cents per 100ft
on dried fish. If vessels load a full cargo of produce at any of
the ports of Cuba or Porto Rico, an allowance of one-fifth is
deducted- from the duty on the inward cargo. The tonnage duty
on foreign vessels is 77 cents per ton ; but if they load with full
cargoes of molasses, tliey are tree from the tonnage duty.

Some of the badly cured fish, mentioned by Mr. AUtson, which
were shi jped to Cuba last season, having been sold there, the fol-
lowing is furnished as the account of sales, dated Matanzas
November 26, 1850:-

Sales,

«

SO drums fish, weighing 22,0051b, sold at $2|,

$605

Charges,

Note of Dutips,

.. $2

1

Duties OD 22,200Ib, at $3|,

..217

5

Balnnza — i per cent, on Duty, ' .,

.. 2

1

Freight per Bill oi Ladin(r.

•.. 58

2*

Labour, weighing, and delivering, . .

.. 10

0

Coioniission, 5 per cent on $605 1 ,

.. 50

2
-$320

31

Net proceeds, .. .. $234 5|

In Brazil, the duty on dried cod is 2. 500 reis the quintal of
lOOIbs; on other fish, the duty is 25 per cent, on their valuation.
At Pernambuco, on the 21st October, 1850, the price of dried cod
was 10 milreas 200 reis the lOOfts. The exchange was then at
28 1 pence sterling the milrea ; consequently the price of dried cod
was equal to £1 4 11 sterling per lOOlb, and the duty 5s. lid.
on the same. The milrea is an imaginary currency, the value.of
w!\ich is governed by the exchange on London, and fluctuates
accordingly.

IntheUniied $tates,allfish pay aduty of 20 percent, ad valorem,
tinder the tariff of 1846. Besides the markets for fish in the sea-
board Cities of the Union, there is a large and growing demand for
fish in those States which border on the Great Lakes, and which
may be supplied through Canada, by the Saint Lawrence. There
would seem to be an almost unlimited demand for pickled herrings,
as well in those States as in Canada \Vest, if caught in proper
season, and well cured ; when 2»uf!icient care in these respects is
taken, the rapidly increasing population of the vast fertile districts
of the West, near the Great Lakes, whether Canadian or American,
will long continue to offer a sure and profitable market for the
products of the fisheries.

The Honorable Commissioners of the Board of British Fisheries
having intimated their readiness to furnish information, the writer
applied to them^for a statement of the prices of herrings and dried

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bay ofFimdy.

171

fish in Scotland, with the view of comparing them with the prices
obtained in New Brunswick. In reply to the application, the
following letter was received : —

" Board of British Fiikeries,

Edinburgh, 2dJanuary, 1851.

'•SiB, — T duly received yoor letter of 19th November, 1850, requesting two
copies of Captain Washington's Report on Fishing Boats, and also a stntement
of the average prices of pi-jk1ed herrings, and dried and pickled cod in Scotland ;
and having laid the same before the Honorable the Commissioners of the Board,
I have by their directions forwarued to you by mail, the two Reports in question.
I now beg to subjoin a statement of the prices required by you, which have been
taken in the mouth of September, and for the five years from 184G to 18.'>0, both
inclusive.

" The Commissioners have desired me lo return you their thanks for the
promise of sending them a copy of your Report, when published.

1 have the honor, &c.

M. H. Parley, £»quire.

B. F. PRiMnosK, SecreLiry.

Prices of Herrings from the Leith Prices current.

White Her'gs, p. bbl. Red Her'gs, p. bbl.

September .1846 14s. to 18s. ^ 16s. to 1 8s.

1847, 20s. to 22s. ' 208. to 228.

" 1841 17s. to 19s. 17s. to 19s.

" 1849 lOs. to 17s. 6s. to 168.

" 1860, .. .... .. 15s. to 188. 148. to 163.

Prices of Dried Cod Fish, from private information.

average 1 5s. per Cwt.
do. 148. do.
do, 14s. do.
do. los. do.
do. 15s. do.

September 1846, .. ..

1847

" 1848

1849

1850,
Dried Hug fish may be quoted Is. per cwt. higher than the above.
The fish cured at the Stations, agreahly to the Board's printed directions,
and punched by its officers, were sold and shipped for the Spanish market, at
prices from 7 to 10 per cent, higher than the above quotations. Pickled cod-fish
per barrel sells generally from 18s to 248. London is the principal market for
this Hrticle ; and when the barrels are inspected and branded by the Board's
officers, thej sell from 258. to 40s. per barrel.

B. F. PRiHnosE, Secretary.

The Island of Jersey presents a market for pickled herrings. A
parcel of the " Quoddy Herrings" shipped from Campo Bello,
netted the shipper 228. 6d. sterling per barrel. Tliere are no duties
in Jersey, and the port charges are very low.

FISH BARRELS.

In connection with the question of foreign markets, the quality
of the barrels in which pickled fish ought to be shipped, is very
material. In Scotland, heretofore, btirrels of hard wood only have
been permitted ; none other could be used for packing pickled fish.
But during the year 1849, the Board of Fisheries arrived at the
conclusion, that larch (hacmatac) was well adapted for the making
of herring barrels. In their Report presented to Parliament in
1850, the Commissioners say, that experiments have been made
by them, on the kinds of wood, suitable for herring barrels. The
herrmgs and the barrels which were the subject ofthesecxperim^nts,
were sent by long oea and land journies to different places on the

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172 Report on the Fisheries in the Barf of Fandy.

Continent ; they were exposed to much rougli usage, and great
changes of climate— some were sent far up the Mediterranean.
These experiments liave proved, that larch wood may be safely
used for barrels of pickled herrings, and that it is equal to the hard
wood of which barrels are generally made ; whilst ordinary fir is
quite unsuitable, and its introduction would be highly prejudicial
to the sale of herrings abroad. The experiments wereso decisive,
that the Commissioners have issued instructions admitting larch
wood in the making of barrels, but continuing a strict prohibition
of fir.

ALLOWANCES, OR BOUNTIES, TO AMERICAN FISHING VESSELS.

In order to obtain correct information as to the nature and extent
of the allowances, or bounties, paid to Anjerican fishing vessels,
the writer made application at the Boston Custom House, where
large sums are paid annually to fishermen, and was kindly and
promptly furnished by William A. Wellman, Esq., the Assistant
Collector of the Port, with the following letter: —

" Custom Hoiiscy Boston,
Collector^ Office, lith January, 1S51.

"Sir,— The Statufes under which we pay allowances or bounties to fishing
vessels, are scattered through the various volumes of the Acts of Congress from
1793 t-^ 1835 ; but they may be readily found in Little and Broirn's edition of
the Public Statutes, published in 1845.

" AUowanci'S are paid annually, 00 the last day of December, to vessels
employed during the fishing season, which is accounted to be, from the last day
of February, to the last day of November, tnde Act of March 3, 1819.

" By the Act of 1819, chtpter 212, we allow to every vessel of 5 tons, and
not exceeding 30 tons burthen, $3.50 per ton ; above 30 tons, $1.00 per ton ;
above 30 tons, with a crew of 20 and not less than 10 persons, and employed
not less than three and a half months, $3.50 per ten— the bounty on any one
vessel not to exceed $360. Vessels more than 5 tons and less than 20 tons,
must laud 12 qnintals of fish per ton, during the season.

"The Act of 1824, chapter 152, prescribes how vessels wrecked may obtain
the bounty in certain cases.

" The Act of 1813, chapter 2, requires the Skipper of each vessel, before
proceeding on a voyage, to make an agreement with the fishermen.

" The regulations for fishing vessels to louch and trade at foreign ports, &c.,
are prescribed in the 21st section of the Act 1793, chap. 99.

" The oath of the M.ister, as to the time the vessel has been actually em-
ployed in the fisheries during the season, is prescribed by the Act of 29th July,
18i;3.

" By paying monthly wages in money, in lieu of dividing the fish, or the
proceeds of the fishing voyage, in the proportions specified by law, the agree-
ment is violated, and the bounty is forfeited. This, by decision of the Treasury
Department, 24th February, 1847, confirmed by the Secretary of the Treasury,
January 21, 1836.

" A vessel, to be entitled to the bounty, must be actually employed at sea, in
the cod fisheries, a certain specified time, and must dry-cure the fish, vide Act
July 29, 1813.

" The eod fishery and mackerel fishery are each a trade and employment, or
business, and since the Act of 1828, chap. 108, the mackerel fishery cannot be
lawfully carried on under a licence for the eod fishery.

" I have thus given you a summary of the various laws regulating our fishery
allowances ; but we have voluminous instructions issued by the Treasury
Department, from time to time, to meet the questions presented by those
claiming bounty. If there are other particular points not alluded to, I will moit
ebeerfully point them out, it you will indicate theiit.

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fnndy.

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" We pay at this office annually, about the sum of $225,000 for fishinj;
bounties. The business is one in which \ take a great interest, and when your
Rep'- t is published, 1 shall hope to receive a copy of it.
Your obedient servant.

\Vm. a. Wellman, AssU Collector.
M. H. Perlef, E»quire."

It has been stated to the writer, by persons of standing in the
United States, that the allowances to fishing veseels are cohtinued,
on the ground that fishermen are entitled to a drawback of the
heavy duties which the)'^ pay on salt, and their outfit for the
fisheries generally, besides some compensation for the increased
cost of their vessels, arising from the high duties on iron, cordage,
canvas, and other articles used in building and fitting them out —
such increased cost amounting to ten dollars per ton more than the
cost of vessels of similar class, and equal description, built and fitted
out in New Brunswick.

The regulations for dividing the proceeds of the fishing voyage,
instead of paying the crew iiionthly wages, is intended to compel
the crew to catch fish on the voyage, instead of idling away the
prescribed time, which the Yankee fishermen call " fishing for the
bounty.',' But if the American fishermen, whom the writer met
on the coast are to be believed, this regulation is constantly set at
nought or evaded, monthly wages being paid by a large proportion
of the vessels. Wi*h the whole system of the American fishing
bounties, there appe.trs to co-exist an organized system of frauds ;
and the voluminous instructions of the Treasury Department, issued
from time to time, to meet those cases, clearly prove, that notwith-
standing all the care and caution of the United States Treasury
Department, and all the vigilance and astuteness of its many
excellent officers, vast sums of money go annually into the pockets
of unscrupulous men, while it is exceedingly doubtful if the actual
fishermen are at all benefited thereby.

THE DESTRUCTION OF FISH ON SPAWNING GROUNDS.

The obstructions which exist to the passage offish up the various
rivers falling into the Bay having been noticed, and the principal
rivers mentioned in which salmon are destroyed while in the act of
spawning, it only remains to advert to the destruction of spawning
herrings on the coast.

The great spawning place for herrings in the Bcty of Fundy, is
undoubtedly, that at the Southern Head of Grand Manan. It
begins at the eastern part of Seal Cove, at a place called Red
Point; thence it extends westerly to the southern extremity of
the Island ; and thence around the Southern Head to Bradford's
Cove, a distance of more than five miles. The quantity of herrings
which strike in upon this ground during the spawning season, is
truly wonderful ; but their numbers will soon cease to astonish, if
auch an extensive destruction of spawning fish as now takes place
there annually, is permitted to continue much longer.

In Scotland, the destruction of herrings on their spawning
grounds is most carefully guarded against, as being of the greatest
importance to the preservation of the herring fishery generally,
and some useful information may be gained from the proceedings

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174 Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundi/.

of the British Fishery Board in this matter. In the Report of the
Board laid before Parliament in 1847, is the following statement:

"A letter of the 12th March reached the Boavd from Mr. John Stewart,
cominander of the ' Priocess Royal' Fishery Cutter, again pointing out the very
serious destruction to the herring fishery throughout the whole branches of the
estuary of the Clyde, by the illegal fishing which is carried on, and endures for
about fourteen days only, previous to the above date, opposite to Ballantrae in
Ayrshire. This seems to be the great spawning place tor the herrings belonging
to the Clyde and Loch Fyne, and for this purpose they congregate in incalcu-
lable numbers on a bank, which lies about three miles off the shore, and is about
a mile and a half long, by about three quarters of a mile broad, and having
about nine fathoms water over it. The spawn lies on this bank to a very great
depth, for the smallest net ropes that are let down here, are hauled up ot the
apparent thickness of cables, from the immense quantity of spawn that adheres
to them. When taken at this time, the fish are in the worst possible condition
as human food, and much more likely to he prejudicial, and to spread disease,
than to be nutritious ; yet, tempted by the prospect of gain, there were no less
than eighty boats engaged in this fishery, which cleared from jESO to j£80 each,
during the fourteen days it lasted. In order to make their success mor<> certain
and eftectual, these boats use means which are never reported to elsewhere.
Their nets are only 2^ yards in depth, and 384 yards in length, and they cun-
tain about 969 square yards ; but they attach a row of heavy stones, four feet
apart, to the lower edge of the net, and sink them to the bottom among the
spawning fish, so that when the nets are hauled they are covered with a heavier
load of spawn than even the weight of their fish, which are so abundant. It is
quite impossible to calculate the extent of loss arising to the Clyde and Loch
Fyne fisheries,by this fishing, which, though highly remunerative to the tew boats
crews which engage in it, must spread disease among the unfortunate purchasers
of the fish, who are ignorant where and how they have been caught, and which
must bring comparative scarcity on the really sound, productive, and wholesome
fisheries, carried on at the proper season in the Clyde and Loch Fyne."

In their Report for 1848, the Commissioners again allude to
the destruction of spavfrning herrings on the banks at Ballantrae ;
they state, that they had received numerous petitions from fish
cnrers and fishermen deeply interested in the fisheries of the west
coast of Scotland, complaining of the reckless destruction of spawn,
and the fry of herrings, by which myriads of these useful fish are
annually destroyed. The banks at Ballantrae are stated to ba
well known as the nurseries of the herrings visiting the western
coast, and if the indiscriminate destruction which takes place there,
is allowed to continue, the fishermen on that coast will be ultimately
ruined, and many thousands of industrious fishermen around the
various Lochs reduced to poverty, while the immense capital
invested in boats and materials must be rendered wholly unpro-
ductive. The Commissioners conclude by urging upon Parliament,
the necessity of a Legislative enactment bestowing on them " cer-
tain discretionary powers beyond those they already possess, to
regulate both the mode and the period of capture, so that they may
be enabled to protect the broods of all kinds of sea-Jlsh."

The herring fishery of the Bay of Fundy will not continue many
years longer to any extent, unless an immediate stop is put to the
fishery during the spawning season at the Southern Head of Grand
Manan. At that season, uo herrings should be caught, on any pre-
tence whatsoever ; and the necessity of a Legislative enactment,
similar to that sought by the Board of British Fisheries, conferring
the like discretionary powers on His Excellecoy the Lieutenant

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

175

Governor, in Council, would probably have the effeci of leading to
a discontinuance of this fishery, and a steady increase in the her-
ring fishery of the Bay generally.

BRUSH WEIRS AND STAKE NETS.

So great a difference of opinion exists among the fishermen of
the Bay, as to the effect of brtish weirs upon the herring fisliery,
that it is somewhat diOicult to arrive at a correct conclusion on
the subject.

The erection of herring weirs has, by implication, been sanc-
tioned by the Legislature, by the Acts for their regulation, and it
is not now so much a question, whether they shall, or shall not, be
permitted, as whether the existing laws are sufficient ; and if not,
what further regulations and provisions are necessary to prevenit
their injuring the fisheries.

The weirs between high and low water mark, which are dry at
low tide, should be put under careful supferintendence, as these,
above all others, are calculated to destroy vast quantities of small
fish and fry, too small for any useful purpose except as manure —
a dangerous stimulant to the soil. The weirs set up in narrow
channels and passages, some of which were noticed on the eastern
side of Grand Manan, must also be destructive from their very
position, besides obstructing navigation.

The proprietors of lands on the sea shore, should be made to
understand, that their rights do not in any case extend below low
water mark ; and a careful watch should be kept to prevent
encroachments on the rights of the public, by persons disposing of
" fishing privileges," to which they are in nowise entitled.

All weirs should be furnished with gates for the free egress of
such fish as ought to pass out again to sea, and this also requires
careful supervision, as very many weirs were found without any
gate or opening whatever.

The brush weirs for shad, at the head of the Bay, are believed
to be most injurious to that fishery, as in almost every case they
were found to take the smallest fish only. In Enrag4 Bay, they
ought to be abolished altogether, or at the utmost, only permitted
at such season, if any, as might on inquiry, be found not prejudi-
cial to the shad fishery generally. The stake nets for shad, also
require to be limited in their extent, and when permitted to be
set, the mesh !o be of the same size as the mesh allowed to drift-
nets, and no smaller.

The size of the mesh, both for salmon and shad nets, oiight to
be regulated in such manner as to prevent the taking of small
salmon and young shad. In the shad fishery especially, there
appears to have been, and still to be, a gradual diminution of the
xnesh from year to year, with the view of taking a greater num-
ber of fifii each season ; and the effects of the catch of small shad
will soon be felt in the decrease of the fishery.

The use of small meshed nets in the herring fishery on the coast
of Scotland, is considered so prejudicial, that they are strictly pro-
hibited by law. To prevent the use of such nets in the Firth of
Forth, H. M. steam vessel "Dasher" has been stationed there

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176

Report on the Fisheries in the Bay of Fundy.

(ltirii>g the last three seasons, and such vigilance has been exer-
cised, and so many illegal nets seized, that this unfair fishing hag
been broken up. On the west coast of Scotland, H. M. steam
vessel " Lucifer " has also been employed in a similar manner.
Both these steamers, and the '• Princess Royal," Fishery Cutter,
off the North West Highlands, have at all times been able to ren-
der n)OSt seasonable assistance to the fishermen, besides repressing
the depredations and pilfering of fishing property, which invaria-
bly takes place, wherever large bodies of fishermen congregate in
the prosecution of their business.

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SUMMARY.

1. It is quite clear from the foregoing Report, that the imper-
fect and careless manner of curing the fish caught in tlie Bay of
Fundy, whether from neglect or want of skill, is such as to pre-
vent those fish obtaining the best prices, and prohibits their being
sent to distant foreign markets, for which they would otherwise be
well adapted ; thereby preventing an extension of the foreign
trade of the Province, and diminishing its general prosperity.

2. The laws which exist for regulating the inspection of fish,
are everywhere treated as a nullity, except in cases where it is
found convenient to affix what purports to be an official brand, for
the purpose of giving character to articles which are short of
weigl)t, and oftentimes worthless.

3. The enormous destruction of herrings, and their spawn, at
the Southern Head of Grand Manan, is an evil which demands
immediate remedy ; if this is neglected, the herring fishery of the
Bay of Ftindy will fail altogether in a few years, and line-fishing,
which so greatly depends lipon the supply of herrings, will fall off
in proportion.

'4. The closing of the various rivers flowing into the Bay, and
their tributaries, by mill-dams ; the injuries arising from saw-dust,
and mill-rubbish, being cast into rivers and harbours; and the
wholesale destruction of salmon on their spawning'beds far up the
rivers, have all been pointed out in this Report. They are all
evils that require an immediate check,

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5. The intrusion of American fishing vessels upon the fishing
grounds of the Bay of Fundy, is loudly complained of everywhere,
by the fishermen of the Bay. Measures are required for keeping
these vessels without the limits established by the Convention of
1818, either by requesting the services of some of the smaller
vessels belonging to the Royal Navy, or else by employing Fishery
Cutters, at the joint expense of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
The Despatch from Lord Stanley to Lord Falkland, dated 1 7th
September, 1845, under which the Americans justify their intru-

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Report on the Fisheries in the Bait of Fundy.

177

and
ust,
the
the
all

tHon in the Bay, is given in tiie Appendix, with a note of the oir>
oiimetances which led to its being transmitted.

6. Tile laws relative to the regulation of brush-weirs and the
use of drift-nets, require revision ; and enactments are needed to
provide for the use of stake-nets and net-weirs, at proper seasons
only. ProviiMon should also be made for preventing the use of
small meslied nets in every fishery, in order that no fish whatever
may be taken until it has attaiited a sufFicient growth.

7* The great step toward increasing the fisheries and rendering
them more valuable, is the enactment of a general inspection law,
with proviiiions for the appointment in every County and district,
of competent and trust-worthy Inspectors of dried, pickled, and
smoked fish ; and a t< tal prohibition of the sale or exportation of
■any such fish,, unless inspected and branded by the proper officer.

8. The employment of persons skilled in the cure and packing
of fish, <such as the curers and coopers of Scotland) to be located
as teachers in the most populous fishing districts, would soon spread
<he knowledge of improved modes of cure, aad lead to the fish of
the l^y of Fundy being cured in «uch manner, as would fit them
for the best markets of the world. The employment of such
teachers is respectfully Tecommended.

9. The enactment of a general law for the protection and regu-
lation of the Sea and River Fisheries of the Province generally, is
greatly needed, and would seem matter of absolute necessity.
In such a law, power might be given to some central authority,
«nch as the Lieutenant governor in Council, to make rules and
oidinances with reference to minor points, which although appa-
rently trifling, have an important bearing upon the prosperity and
«xtension of the fisheries.

10. On the shores of the Bay of Fundy, as well as on those of
the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the fishermen have great need of better
accommodations, and increased conveniences. They complain,
not wholly without caihse, of the paucity of the grants made to
assist them in their business, in comparison with those made to
other «nd more favoured interests. As stated in the Report of last
year, tl»ey require in many places, landing-piers, breakwaters,
shelter-harbours, boat-slips and capstans, and moorings for boats
«nd small vessels ; these ought to be provided at the public expense,
as one of the best modes of assisting and encouraging the actual
fisherman who dwells by the sea side.

11. Tl»e establishment of a few superior schools at Grand
Manan, Campo Bello, and West fsles, and probably in some
other locations, wliere tite young fishermen should be taught
book-keeping, navigation, some knowledge of astronomy, and
such other branches of learning as might be useful in their calling,
would <be oae of the greatest boons tliat could be conferred upon

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1 78 JReport an the Fwheri^a in the Bay of Fundff.

this class of persons. An improvement would soon take place frt
their mora) and social condition, and they would not be driven
out of the Province, to seek employment from persons possessing
more education, but' in no other respect superior to themselves.

12. The neglect to enforce the provisions of existing laws, or
to enact other and more stringent provisions in lieu of such as are
inefifeotive, or too limited in their operation, has led to a great
decrease in several branches of the fisheries. A longer continu'
ance of this neglect will assuredly lead to the decay of the fish'
eries goner dly, which year by year will waste away, until some
disappear altogether, and others become of the least possible value*

M. H. PERLEY,

Ooverntnmt Emigration Cffics,

St. John, N. B., March 12, I85I.

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DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE

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THE FISHES

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NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCflTIA,

BT

M, H. PERLEY, Esquire,

BIR majesty's EHIORXTION OPFICBR at saint iOBN, KEW BRONSWICK.

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(second edition.)

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Fishes are described as vertebrated animals, with cold red
blood ; breathing by gills, through the medium of water ; with-
out lungs. Body covered mostly with imbricated scales or
plates, or with a smooth mucous skin. Move in water by
means of fins instead of feet, which vary in number. Repro-
duced by eggs, which are usually fecundated after e elusion.
Heart unilocular, or composed of one n.uricle and one ventricle.

Head various ; no neck. Aquatic, ohiefly carnivorous.

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Fished have been divided into two great groups, viz.-~the
Bony, and the Cartilaginous. The first comprises by far the
greatest number of species.

In these two grfeat divisions, the Fishes of New Brunswick
and Nota Scotie,, so far as yet examined or known, are here
classified and briefly described.

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CLASSIFICATION.

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Cinovp I.— lioiVY FisuES.

Order 1. — Fishes with spinous rays in their fins*

Family 1. Percida.

2. Triglida:.

3. Scombrida.

4. Gobida.

5. Lophidm.

6. Labridte.

The f*erch family.

Fishes with hard cheeks.

The Mackerel family.

The Goby family.

Fishes with wrists to pectoral fins.

The Wrasse, or Rock-fish family.

Order 2.— Soft-finned fishes ; the fin-rnys almost universally

flexible.

Family 1. Cyprinida.

2. Esocidte.

3. Siluridce.

4. Salmonida.

5. Clupeida.

The Carp family.
The Fike family.
The Sheat-fish family.
The Salmon family.
The Herring family.

Order 3. — Fishes with ventrals under the pectorals, and the
pelvis suspended to the shoulder bones — thi's better adapted
for ascending and descending than the preceding order.

Family 1. Gadida. The Cod family.

2. Pleuronectida. The Flat-fish, or Flounder family*

3. Cycloptcrida. The Lump-fish family.

Order 4. — Fishes in which the ventral fins are always wanting.
Family 1. Angvillida. The Eel family.

Group II.--CARTVi.Aciiiffoi:8 FIsuks.

Order 1. — Fishes with free gills, — they have in their gills a
single wide opening, and a gill-lid, like the Bony fishes, but
no gilUrayfi.

Family 1. Sturionidm. The Sturgeon family. '

OiiDER 2. — Fishes with fixed gills, — ^these have the gills at-
tached at the outer edge, with a separate opening, through
which water from each gill escapes.

Family 1. Squalidm.
2. Raida.

The Shark family.
The Ray family.

Order 3. — Fishes with ro'jud mouths formed into a sucker.
Family 1. Petromyzonida. The Lamprey family.

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DESCRIPTION OF GROUP I.

CONSISTING OF THIi: OSSEOUS, OR BONY FISHBS.

Order 1. — Fishes with spinous rays in their fins.

Family 1. — PERCiDiE — The Perch family.

Grenus 1. — Perca.

Species 1. — Perca Jlavescens — The American ye!'ow Perch.

This beautiful fish is common in almost all the inland watei's
of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It is of a greenish yellow
above, with golden yellow sides, crossed by seven transverse
dark bands, the broadest upon the middle of the body ; beneatli,
white. The back, and tail fir.s, brownish; the other fins,
scarlet. Length, 6 to 12 inches. It spawns in May, and then
resorts to the mouths of rivulets in great numbers.

The common yellow })erch is considered one of the best
known, and most wide'y distributed of all the fresh water fishos
of North America. It is a northern fish, a<> its limits extend
to the 50th parallel of north latitude.

It is very closely allied to the perca fiuhiatilis of Europe ; and
like that fish, is much esteemed by those who cannot obtain salt
water species. It is readily transported from one lake or stream
to anotlier, and has been frequently introduced in pieces of water
in America, where it did not previously exist, with much success.

The general habitat of the perch is in lakes and streams, not
too rapid. It delights in a clear bottom, with grassy margin,
or in rivers overhung with brush, and widening into some lake-
like expanse. Here the perch roam in shoals, descending and
rising while seeking their food, aad shading the nselves from
the too great heat, among the aquatic plants, or under the
broad leaves of the whitS water-lily.

Genus 2.—^Labrax.
Species 1. — Labrax Lineatus — The striped Basse.

This fine fish is found on the sea coast of New Brunswick, and
it also frequents many of its rivers and lakes. The upner part
of the body is silvery brown ; lower part of sides and abdomen,
a beautiful clear silver colour ; eight or more longitudinal black
bands ruiming the whole length of the fish, the lower ones ter-
minating above the anal fin. Length, 1 to 3 feet.

The basse is a salt water fish, ascending fresh water streams
to breed, in the spring, and for shelter during the winter.
Very large fish of this species have been frequently taken in the
Grand Lake, and the '* thoroughfares" therewith connected, by
night-lines, in the winter season. The basse abounds in most of
those rivers of New Brunswick which flow into the Gulf of Saint
Lawrence. It was formerly abundant in the Basin of Minos,
and the Basin of Annapolis, but in each has become rare, owing
to its unlimited destruction there at all seasons.

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Descriptive Catalogue of Fishef

Along^ the New Brunswick and Nova Scctia shores of the
Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the basse make their appearance in
large schulls, in the early part of September. They keep
around the islands, and between the outer bar and the beach
in the lagoons, where they are often taken in neis, and also
at night with torch and spear. As the season advances, and
the weather becomes colder, they penetrate into bays, and
arms of tlie sea, and even ascend the rivers some distance,
where ♦hey spend the winter resting on the mud, in a half
torpid state. The places which they frequent are easily dis-
covered, the fish being seen through the clear ice when it
first makes ; large holes are cut in the ice, and the fish are
lifted out with a circular net on a strong wooden bow, called
a dip-net. . All the fish in each locclity, of whatever size, are
thus taken ; and in many of the northern rivers, especially the
Richibucto, and North West Miramicbi, where they were for-
merly very abundant, they are now quite scarce, and only
found of small size.

The basse will frequently take the same artificial fly, (scarlet
ibis and gold,) as is used in salt water, for the white or sea
trout. From the avidity with which it seizes a hook baited
with a piece of the flesh of a lobster, or with clams, and the
smaller Crustacea, it is probable that these form no incon-
siderable portion of its food. The smelt is also a good bait
for basse. A long line is requisite in basse fishing, as it is
what sportsmen call, " a runaway fish." At the end of a hun-
dred yards of line it affords great sport, being fierce, vigorous,
and very active, not jrielding until after a long and violent
struggle with its captor. * After the salmon family, it is
unquestionably the most sporting fish of Am«^rica. Its geogra-
phical range is from the Capes of the Delaware to the Rivei-
Saint Lawrence. ^ ^

The body of the basse is cylindrical and tapering, covered
with large adhesive scales ; lateral line obvious, running
through the fourth stripe, and nearly straight. Altogether, it
is very beautiful ; and besides being one of the most sporting
of American game fish, the basse is excellent food, the flesh
being very firm, white, and well-flavoured.

Species 2. — Labrax palUdus — The little white Basse.

This diminutive basse is best known by its popular name of
'* white perch." It abounds in many of the lakes and streams
connected with the River Saint John, but it is always found in
localities where there is very little current, if any, and upon a
soft bottom, in the vicinity of aquatic plants and weeds. The
ordinary weight of the '* white perch," is from 4 to 6 ounces ;
in September, they are often taken above half a pound in
Weight ; the largest seen, weighed a pound. They are a very
fine fish for the table, when in season.

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

183

In the numerous lakes near Halifax, and at Darling's Lake,
near Hampton, in New Brunswick, this little basse is taken in
^reat numbers, by anglers. St frequently takes the artificial
dy, but is usually caught by bottom fisbing, with the red-worm
for bait. To those who like fishing with the float, the white
perch affords great sport, as it bites very freely, and is generally
caught in considerable numbers at any plac« which it frequents.

Oenus 3. — Pomotis.
Species 1. — Pom&tis vulgaris — The common Pond-fish.

The pomotis is exclusively an American genus of the perch

family. Its type was originally styled a labrus by Linnaeus,

Lacepede, and others ; but in calling it a perch, the common

people, according toCuvier, exercised mure discernment than

naturalists.

This description of perch is very common in all those waters
in which the yellow perch is found. It is generally from 6 to
8 inches in length, of a deep green colour, mixed with olive, and
is easily distinguished by the bright scarlet spot behind the
opercle- Among rural anglers it is known as the ** s'm-fish,"
from the glittering colon rs it displays while basking in the sun.
It is seldom dressed for eating, being an exceedingly bony, dry
fish, but is often caught for amusement.

It has a wide geographic range, extending from Luke Huron,
throughout the Eastern States of the Union, and all the British
Provinces.

Family 2. — TaiGLiDiE — Fishes with hard cheeks.

Genus 1. — Coitus — The Sculpin,

iSpecies 1. — Coitus Virginianus — The common Bullhead.
Species 2. — Cotius GroenlaHdicus — The Greenland Bullhead.

• The sculpin is very numerous on all the fishing grounds of
the New Brunswick and Nova Scotia coasts, anc is sometimes
a great annoyance to line-fishers, who regard it with much
aversion. When freshly taken fiom the water, and irritated,
it presents rather a formidable appearance ; but nevertheless,
it is said not to be a bad article of food.

When the line-fishers in the Bay of Fundy find the sculpin
biting too freely, they immediately change their ground to
avoid it.

Besides the two species named, it is believed that there are
several other species, as well as some varieties. The sculpin
ranges the coast of North America from Virginia to Baffin's
Bay, and is a favourite food of the Greenlanders.

It is exceedingly voracious, devouring small fish, crabs, and
sea- eggs ; in fact, nothing comes amiss to the sculpin.

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Descnptive Catalogue of FisKev-
Genua 2. — Gasterosleus.

Species 1 . — Gasterosteus Maeuleatus — ^Two-»pined SticklebaelJF^

This diminutive fish abounds in the estuaries of rivers, and
in those creeks of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to which the
sea has access. It is usually found about two inches in lengths
with two distant spines on the back, and a third near the dorsal ;
and a strong serrated spine on each side, representing the
ventrals. It is exceedingly active in its movements, and will
throw itself a considerable distance o^t of water. Its appetite
is voracious; it feeds on worms and insects, and the fry antf
roe of other fish, great quantitres of which it devours.

It i» believed that more than one speeies of stncklebacfe
exists in the water* of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
They are all very pugnacious, and when cftnfined will destroy^
each other. They are only worthy of notice on account of
their destructive propensities, and because they are sometimes
nsed as bait for larger fiish. In some parts of England, they
are so abundant that they are employed na manure..

Genu» 3. — Sebastcs.
Species 1. — Sebastes- Norvegicn» — The Norway Haddock.

This is a northern fish, common to both sides of the Atlantic ;:
on the coast of North Araerica^ it has been found as far south
as New York, where however, it is very rare. It is frequently?
caught in Boston Bay, while fishing near shoal ledges, conti-
guous to deep water. Among fishermen, it is known by the
popular names of " red sea perch " — " the rose fish " — and
the " snapper." The writer has seen a specimen taken near
Portland, (Maine) and believes it to exist along the coast or
Nova Scotia, becoming more plentiful towards the north, front
whose waters it originally wandered.-

In June 1851, some very fine specimens of the Norway
haddock ware caught in the Bay of Fundy, off Port Sinionds;
cast of the Harbour of S't. John. They weighed about a pound
and a half each, were of a brilliant red colour, in very fine con-
dition, and when brought to taUe, were exceedingly palatable.

This fish is said to attain the length of two feet ; its body is
oblong, compressed, covered with scales. All the upper pari
of the body and the fins are of a bright carmine red ; darker
upon the head and back, lighter upon the sides ; nearly white
beneath ; a brown blotch on the posterior part of the opercle.
Length of the head, from tip of lower jaw when closed, to
posterior angle of operculum, one third the lenglh of the fish ;
top of the head flattened. Eyes very large ; pupils black ?
irid^s yellow ; diameter of eye equal to one third the length
of the head. Jaws armed with numerous, minute, sharp teeth '^
upper jaw very {tfotractile ;. an emargination in its centre^

Of New Brunsmck and Nova Scotia.

185

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into which the extremity of the lower jaw shuts, when tho
mouth is closed. Chin prominent. Teeth in vomer, and
palatine bones.

The Norway haddock is found abundantly on the coast of
Newfoundland. It feeds on flounders and other small fish,
and takes thq hook readily. In Norway, it is eaten largely,
being considered a great delicacy. In the deep bays on the
southern coast of Greenland, it is caught in great numbers, on
baited hooks attached to very long tines ; the Greenlanders
use the spines for needles.

Family 3. — Scombrid^e.

Genus 1. — Scomber — The Mackerel.

Species 1. — Scomber vernalis — The Spring Mackerel.
Species 2. — Scomber grex — The Fall Mackerel.

These two species of mackerel are generally believed to be
but one ; but Cuvier considers them as different, and in this
has been followed by Dr. DeKay of New York. The scom-
ber vernalis is the ordinary mackerel of commerce, while
scomber grex would seem to be those little mackerel about ten
inches in length, which are found in scattered numbers every
where, and are called by the fishermen of the Bay of Fundy,
'"'' tinker mackerel," from their wandering habits.

Although the mackerel is caught in great quantities on the
northern coast of New Brunswick, and within the Bay of
Chaleur, as also pround the Magdalen Islands, yet it is rarely
known to visit the coast of Labrador. It is stated by Mr.
Horatio Robinson Storer, of Boston, who visited the Labrador
coast in 1849, that mackerel appeared there in great abun-
dance that season, at the Island of Little Mccatina ; but no
fishing vessels being at hand, they departed again unmolested,
the few settlers on that desolate coast having neither nets or
lines for taking them. The mackerel fishery of Nova Scotia
furnishes one of its largest exports. In 1850, no less than
96,650 barrels of mackerel were exported from the port of
Halifax alone. Many of these were taken in the vicinity of
Sable Island, and were of the finest quality.

Mackerel were formerly abundant near the coasts of New-*
foundland, but none have been taken there since 1837. They
were also plentiful formerly in the Bay of Fundy, near Grand
Mannn and West I^les, where but few are now taken.

The great resort of the American mackerel schooners is on
the north and east side of Prince Edward Island, and in the
vicinity of Miscou, at the entrance to the Bay of Chaleur.
There is also good mackerel fishing within the Straits of
Northumberland, especially ofTBuctouche and Richibucto.

The mackerel taken in the early part of the season are
generally very poor ; they improve in quality as the seasoo

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Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

advances, those taken latest being by far the best. It is now
considered settled, that the mackerel is not a migratory fish,
but draws oil' into deep water, at the approach of winter, and
returns to the shallow water near the shores, at the beginning
of summer, for the purpose of depositing its spawn.

Genus 2. — Thynnus.
Species 1. — Thynnus vulgaris — The common Tunny.

This fish is better known by its popular name of *' horse-
mackerel ;" on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, the fishermen
generally call it the " albicore." It is there frequently taken
from 6 to 12 feet in length : sometimes it is enclosed in the
seine with mackerel. The fishermen are then anxious to get
rid of it, as quickly as possible, because in its struggles, it is
apt to bi eak directly through the seine, causing great damage
to the net, and the loss of all the other fish in it.

Dr. Storer, in his Report on the Fishes of Massachusetts,
mentions one of these fish as having been taken near Cape
Anne, which was 15 feet in length, and weighed about 1000 lbs.,
but he considers it a rare fish in the waters of that State. A
fisherman at Halifax stated to the writer, that he had taken
a "horse-mackerel" near that harbour, which when cut up
filled three puncheons.

In the Mediterranean, the tunny is a common fish, gene-
rally swimming in shoals, and has long been celebrated there
for its delicacy. It is supposed to be a wanderer from the
Mediterranean, as single specimens are occasionally taken upon
the coast of Great Britain, on the banks of Newfoundland,
and along the coast of North America, as far south as New
York. In America, it is not held in much estimation as an
article of food.

The upper surface of this fish is blackish ; the sides, silvery ;
beneath, white. No coloured lines or spots; tongue and inside
of the mouth, black. Irides golden, with greenish reflections.
It is characterised by very large and long pectoral fins ; the
tail is crescent shaped, very wide across the tips. The jaws
when closed are nearly equal ; the tongue, large and broad;
the gape of the mouth very large. The scales on the back,
in front of the first dorsal, and beneath the pectorals, also very
large. Gill covers exceedingly large, perfectly smooth, of a
silvery gray colour. The rays of the first dorsal fin are very
strong ; this fin shuts entirely into a deep grove, and, when
unexpanded, is perfectly invisible.

In the Mediterranean, the tunny fishery is very important ;
in Sicily it forms one of the most considerable branches of
the commerce of the Island. The tunny is there cured, by
taking out the whole of the inside, washing the flesh with brine,
and cutting it in slices, which are covered with pounded salt.
These slices are packed in barrels, with aHernate layers of

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

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salt ; and when sent to any distance, they are packed in smaller
barrels with fresh salt.

The flesh of the tunny is so solid, that it seems something
between fish and meat ; it is as firm as sturgeon, but finer
flavoured. In France, it is dressed in a variety of ways, and
always excellent. It is served as a ragout, or plain fried or
boiled ; pies are made of it, which are so celebrated as to
be sc t all over France — they will keep good for six weeks or
two months. Before it is cooked, the flesh has the red appear-
ance of beef, but when dressed it becomes more pale.

In America, this fish is of inferior quality, or else is greatly
undervalued. Of late years, it has been often taken at Ntw-
foundland, where it appears to become more plentiful yearly,
and t6 rise in public estimation.

Genus 3. — Xiphias.

Species 1. — Xiphias gladius — The Sword-fish.

This fish is met with along the Atlantic coast of North
America, but Richardson does not include it in his list of
northern fishes, its presence at the north not having been
ascertained, with certainty, by those who had referred to it.

It is usually discovered by the projection of its dorsal fin
above the surface of the water, when in pursuit of mackerel,
upon whf^h it feeds.

The back and upper part of the sides are of a sky-blue
colour ; beneath, silvery grey ; surface smooth. Length, from
10 to 15 feet. The dorsal fin in the young fish is single ; it
becomes effaced in the middle, and forms two distinct fins in
the adult. The upper jaw is prolonged into a flattened sword ;
the edges bluntly trenchant, approach each other, and termi-
nate in a blunt point. The lower jaw is short and pointed ;
the gape of the mouth extends behind the orbits. It has no
teeth, but slight asperities may be felt on the lower jaw, and
velvet-like teeth in the throat. The tail, like that of the tunny,
is crescent-shaped, with 17 rays. The sword-fish has a great
range on the eastern side of the Atlantic, and is one of the
few flsh which cross that ocean.

These fish are taken about 15 or 20 miles from land, in pur-
suit of shoals of mackerel, on which they feed. They arc
captured by means of an instrument called a " lily-iron,*' from
the form of its shaft, or wings, which resemble the leaves of
a lily. This instrument is thrown like a harpoon, with great
force into the flsh, the attempt being always made to strike it
in front of the dorsal fin. When wounded, it sometimes frees
itself from the iron by its violent struggles. When unmolested,
it is frequently observed to spring several times its length for-
ward several feet above the surface of the water.

On the coast of the United States, the flesh of the sword-
fish is e,aten both fresh and salted. Before being pickled, the

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flesh is cut into slices, and it is said to remain good for a year ;
in MasancFiusctts several hundred barrels are put up annually,
the greatest number of these fish being taken off Martha's
Vineyard.

This fish has been frequently seen off the Atlantic coast of
IVova Scotia, but it is seldom taken, not being in sufficient
numbers to render its pursuit an object.

Family 4. — GoBiDiE.

Genus 1. — Anarrhicas.
Species 1. — Anarrhicas lupus — The Wolf-fish.

The general colour of this voracious fish is a leaden gray. It
has 11 or 12 broad black bands on the sides, becoming indis-
tinct toward the tail ; the belly is of a brownish ash-colour,
tinged with pink.

Its usual length is from 30 inches to 5 feet ; but in high
northern latitudes, it is said tc attain the length of 6 and 8
feet. It has been caught at Rockaway beach, on Long Island,
(New York,) which is sup|)oscd to be its extreme southern limit.

Dr. Storer says it is captured on the coast of Massachusetts^
generally about rocky ledges, at all seasons of the year, but
greater numbers are taken in winter than at any other time.
Its ferocious-looking, cat-like head, and exceedingly coarse,
thick skin, covered with slime, give it a hideous appearance,
and render it an object of such disgust, that it is thrown away
almost as soon as caught ; yet many fishermen regard it as
excellent food. Dr. Storer says he has had it upon his own
table, and that few fish are superior to it, when broiled. The
flesh is said to have somewhat the flavour of salmon, when
smoked.

This fish is oflen caught at the entrance to the Bay of Fundy,
sometimes near Grand Manan and Campo Bcllo. In the spring
of the year, it is taken frequently in Saint Mary's Bay ; and it
is caught at all times along the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia.

The voracious and savage character of the wolf-fish, or
" sea-wolf," as it is often called, is apparent from its formidable
array of teeth, and its vicious propensities when first drawn
from the water. Dr. DeKay says, such marvellous stories are
related of the strength and power of its jaws, that they more
properly belong to the romance of natural history.

Very many fishermen have a great dread of this fish, and
seek to get rid of it, as quickly as possible ; while others lose
not a moment in dispatching the savage " sea-wolf," by heavy
well-aimed blows upon the head. It fights desperately even
when out of its element, and inflicts severe wounds if not
cautiously avoided. >

The food of the wolf-fish consists of crustaceous and testa-
ceous animals, which its powerful jaws, and rounded molar

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

189

teeth, enable it to break down sufficiently for its purpose. It
swims rapidly, with a lateral, undulating motion, and is said
to spawn in May and June, among rocks and reefs, near which
it is generally caught.

Family 5. — LoPHiDiE.

Genus 1. — Lopkius.

Species 1. — Lophius Americanus. — The American Angler.

This fish has a very disgusting appearance, and its monstrous
form has given rise to many popular names, such as " sea-
devil," •' fishing-frog," •' bellows-fish," " goose-fish," '• monk
fish," and various others.

The angler belongs to a small aud singular group of fishes,
designated by Cuv'ier, pecf or ales pediculees, froiu the peculiar
formation of the pectoral fins, which are palmated, and shaped
not unlike the hand of a child ; they are placed very far for-
ward on the body ; by these and the aid of the ventrals, which,
from their position, perform the office of hind feet, the fish can
creep on the bottom like a little quadruped.

A specimen about 3 feet long was observed on Long Beach,
above Great Salmon River, in the Bay of Fundy, in September
1850. It was taken in the weir there, which it had entered in
pursuit of herrings. Several specimens were seen in Novem-
ber 1850, on the shores of Annapolis Basin, near Digby,
where they were thrown up by a severe storm. They are
said to abound in that Basin, and to be very destructive to
the shoals of herrings which resort there.

Yarrell says, that this fish in its appetite is very voracious,
and as it is not a rapid swimmer, has recourse to art to satisfy
its appetite. Upon its head are two long, slender appendages,
the first of them broad and flattened towards the ends, and at
the dilated part, having a shining silvery appearance, not
unlike a little fish. While couching close to the ground, the
fish, by the action of its ventral and pectoral fins, stirs up the
sand, or mud ; hidden by the obscurity thus produced, it
elevates these appendages, moves them in various directions
by way of attraction as a bait, and the small fishes, approach-
ing either to examine or seize them, immediately become the
prey of the angler, and thence it derives its general name.

The head of this fish is wide, depressed ; the mouth nearly
as wide as the head. The gape of the mouth, in the specimens
seen, was 9 inches; and the numerous double rows of teeth,
some recurved and conical, and others long and acute, give
the enormous gaping mouth a frightful appearance. These
fish are never eaten, but they are sometimes opened for the
sake of the numerous fishes found in their stomachs, which are
monstrously large, as compared with the length of the fish.

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Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

The colour of the whole uppei surface of the body, uniform
brown ; fin membranes, darker ; under surface of the body,
ventral and pectoral fins, white ; tail, dark brown, almost
black.

This fish is found all along^ the coasts of Nova Scotia and
New Brunswick ; it has been known to measure 5 feet in
length, but its most common size is about 3 feet.

Family 6. — LABRiDiG.

Genus 1. — Ctenolabrus.

Species 1. — Ctenolabrus ceruleus — The Sea Perch, or Cunner.

This fish is common on the Atlantic coast of North America,
from Delaware Bay to the shores of Newfoundland, and is
known by a variety of names. In New York, it is called the
'*bergall," a name of Dutch origin; and also the "chogset,"
derived from the Mohegan dialect. On account of its prevail-
ing colour, it is often called " blue-fish." At Boston, where
this fish is taken in myriads, it is called "blue-perch;" but
among eastern fishermen generally, it is known as the
"cunner."

There is scarcely any fish whose colours are so variable as
this species. In the smaller individuals, the general colour is
blue, more or less mixed with brown ; and faint, duisky, trans-
verse bars may frequently be seen. In the larger species,
such as are 12 inches long, the colours are bright and showy,
a light orange-coloured tint pervading the whole body ; the
head and gill-covers of a beautiful chocolate colour, mixed with
light blue ; the fins of a blue, more or less brilliant.

The jaws of the "cunner " are covered with thick fleshy
lips, whence this family derives its name of labrus^ lipped —
that is, thick-lipped fishes.

The first specimens of theae fish seen by the writer in the
Qay of Fundy, were taken with hook and line, in 1844, from
the rocks on the sea shore near Black River, east of the Har-
bour of Saint John. These were of a reddish brown colour ;
the body elongated, compressed, the depth equal to one fourth
of the length.

These fish frequent deep pools among rocks, hide them-
selves in/ttc«, and are said to feed chiefly on Crustacea. Where
their haunts are known, and are accessible, there is much fish'
ing for them, on the coasts of Maine and Massachusetts, with
rod and line, for they take bait very readily, the first taken
being generally the largest. They are skinned before being
dressed ; the fish is sweet and palatable.

Mr. H. Robinson Storer says, th^y are so plentiful in thb
Gttt of Canso, that by sinking a basket with a salt fish tied
therein, he ct>ntinuaUy eai^ht them by the score, for a supply
of fi'esfa fii^h while at sea. They are abundant every where on

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Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

191

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the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Nova Scotia, but being of small
size, are very little esteemed

Genus 2. — Tautoga.
Species \.-— Tautoga Americana — The Tautog, or Black-fisli.

The natural geographic range of this delicious fish is only
from the Capes of the Delaware to Oape Cod ; but a few
years since, a number were brought into Massachusetts Bay,
in well-boats, and placed alive in its waters. They have since
increased there so rapidly, that the Boston market has now
a full and regular supply.

It would seem that northern waters agree with this fine fish,
for it has extended its range along the coasts of Massachusetts
and Maine, and is now taken in the Harbour of Saint John.
During the season of 1851, many good fish of this species
were exhibited for sale in the fish-market of Saint John ; the
largest weighed eight pounds. One specimen of the length of
19 inches, weighing four pounds, was bought by the writer in
July, and when brought to table, was found in good condition,
and of excellent flavour.

The common black-fish, or tautog in the Mohegan dialect,
(which is also said to mean black) is a well known and savory
fish, at New York, affording equal pleasure to the angler and
the epicure. The colour of this fish is indicated by its name,
but varies considerably from deep duli black to glossy blue
black, with metallic reflections, and occasionally to dusky
brown. The body is elongated and compressed, the back
much arched from the dorsal fin to the snolit, but straight pos-
teriorly. The lateral line follows the curve of the back.
The lips are very thick and fle^iy, the teeth stout and of a
conical form. The tail is very short, nearly even, and slightly
rounded.

The usual market weight of this fish, at New York, is two
pounds, but specimens have been taken weighing twelve
pounds, and even more.

Rocky shores and bottoms are the haunts of the black-fish ;
it is readily taken with the hook baited with crabs, clams, or
other small shell-fish, from April until November. It is a
stationary inhabitant of the salt water, never visiting rivers,
like some other sea-fish, and is supposed to feed almost exclu-
sively on the smaller shell-fish.

The black-fish may be kept for a long time in ponds or cars ;
and even fed and fatted there. When benumbed by the cold
of winter, it refuses to eat any more, and a membrane forms
over the rent and closes it. With the returning warmth of
iBpring, the fish regains appetite ; and the blossoming of the
dog-wood, {cornug Jiorida,) is understood to denote the time of
beginning to fish for tautog. It is remarkable for retaining
life a long time after taken out of the water. ,

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Descriptive Catalogue of Fithet

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Though the hand-line is gcnerully used for black-fish, the
rod is sometimes employed with great advantage. A stout
trolling rod, with a strong flaxen line, and a reel, are the best
implements, according to Frank Forrester. Two hooks should
be used, attached to hook links of trebly-twisted gut, of the
respective lengths of 12 and 15 inches, both links being
securely fastened to a small brass ring. This ring is looped
on the end of the lino to which the sinker is appended. For
all sea-fishing with bait, in shoal water, this is the best
arrangement of hooks.

The bluck-fish is altogether a bottom fish, and is generally
caught in whirls and eddies, in the immediate vicinity of rocks
and reefs ; it must be struck sharply, and pulled up without
a moment's delay.

Attempts have been made to extend the limits of this fish
to the south, a smack load having been carried from Rhode
Island very many years ago, and turned adrifl in the Harbour
of Charleston, South Carolina. Some are now occasionally
caught there, weighing from one to two pounds only, but never
in such quantities as to be brought to market. The southern
extension was therefore a failure ; but as the black-fish has
naturally found its way from Massachusetts to the Bay of
Fundy, and is already taken there of large size, it may be
concluded that it will establish itself in northern waters, and
soon become plentiful — a matter of rejoicing to the sporting
fisherman, and to all who love the delicacies of the table.

Order 2.^Soft-finjied Fishes ; the fin-rays almost universaHy

flexible.

Family 1. — CvpRiNiDiB.

Genus 1. — Catostomus.

Species 1. — Catostomus comtnunis — The common Sucker.

This fish abounds in all the rivers and streams of New
Brunswick. It is from 10 to 14 inches in length ; the flesh is
seldom used as food. The body is long, rounded, and tapering ;
the head dark green above, verging to black ; the teheeks
bronze and golden. The upper part of the body a dark purplish
colour, with pink and metallic tints on the sides, frequently of a
resplendent golden hue, extending over the abdomen ; beneath,
white. The head is smooth, and without scales ; the mouth,
protractile, with thick puckered lips, the lower lip two-lobed.
This fish is exclusively North American.

James L. Price, Esquire, of Ludlow, on the Miramichi,
whose observations in natural history are very accurate, states
that the flesh of the sucker, though rather insipid food, is eaten
by many persons, d9uaUy fried while fresh, but sometimes
slightly salted and dried. Mr; Price says it feeds chiefly 09

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Of New Bruntwick and Nota Scotia.

193

aquatic worms and larvae, and seldom takes bait. It spawns
"carly in summer, after which it becomes mcugrc and tastf '.■'jss ;
during the early part of May, before spawning, it is in best
condition. However much the humble properties of the sucker
may protect it from the voracity of man, it is not without for-
midable enemies. It , young are greedily devoured by the
king-fishers ; it is the chief prey of the fish-hawk, and it affords
a desirable repast even to the dainty trout. Mr. Price men-
tioned to the writer, that he once met with a trout of consider-
able size, in the Miramichi, which had been choked in nn
unsuccessful attempt to swallow a large sucker.

In the autumn, tfie bucker is abundant in the New York
markets ; at that season, its flesh is considered of the best
quality, although very inferior and tasteless.

Genus 2. — Leuciscns.
Species 1. — Leuciscus clirysoleucas — The yellow Shiner.

The general colour of this very pretty fish, is a beautiful
golden ; the top of the bead and back, black ; the gill-covers,
a t>righter yellow than the sides. Its usual length is from 5 to
7 inches, and it is found in great abundance, in those parts of
ponds and quiet streams whicn are frequented by the yellow
and white perch. The writer has talien them in great num-
bers, in the latter -part of summer, in the waters near Hampton
Ferry ; it is an exceedingly delicate, finely flavoured fish,
when eaten fresh, and may be considered one oi the most
savory of the smaller fresh water fishes of New Brunswick.
It has received the popular natno of oarp, to which family it
properly belongs.

Species 2. — Leudscus cornutus — The Red-fin.
This beautiful little fish is found in many of the swift and
limpid streams of New Brunswick, associated with brook trout.
It is generally about 5 or 6 inches in length, very lively and
active in its movements. All the fins are broadly margined
with deep scarlet, whence it gets its name of the *' red-fin,"
although it is also generally known as the roach. The top of
the head is covered with minute pointed tubercles, which are
also seen on the sides of the snout, and form a regular series
along the sides of the lower jaw.

Spccios 3. — Leaciscus pukhelius-^The Roach Dace, or
Beautiful Leuciscus.

This frsh is somewhat larger than the species last n^entioncd,
but its colour \a more silvery, and it has not the brilliant scar-
let fins of the roach, all its fins being light coloured ; nor has it
the roughness on the top of the head. It is not generally found
in swift water, but appears to delight in eddies and pools,
where it may be caught in great numbers, when on the feed.

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194 Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

Species 4. — Leuciseus argenteus — The shining Dace,

This pretty little fish varies from 2 to 6 inches in lengths
The whole surface of the body is silvery j rather darker onr
the back. From its brilliancy, it is usually called the " shiner.'^

The three species last mentioned, all take the artificial fly
readily, and are often caught by tly-fishcrs while angling for
trout ; the red-fin is the best for the table. They are in the
best condition during the month of May.

Species 5. — Leuciseus eephatus — The Chub,

The chub is w ell known in every river and stream of New
Brunswick and Nova Scotia frequented by other fresh water
fishes it is taken of all sizes, from 4 to 16 inches. In the
River Saint John, in the Miramichi at Boiestown, and in the
Hammond River, the writer 'las taken chub by fly-fishing,
weighing three pounds and upwards. The chub also takes bait
readily, but is a timtd fish ; the largest if once disturbed or
frightened, will not bite again for some time. It is consider'"!
a coarse fish, bui those of large size, eaten fresh, are very paia-
table. Mr. Yarrell says, that broiling chub with the scaler
on, is the best mode of preparing it for table.

Species 6. — Leuciseus atronasus — ^The Brook Mmnow.

This very little fish is found in almost every brook in great
numbers. It is usually about an inch and a half in^ length, and
has three bands on its sides, running longitudinally ; the lower
a broad black band, then a golden yellow band, somewhat nar-
rower, and above that, a narrow dark band ; when the fish is-
swimming, these three bands give it a pleasing appearance.^
It is only caught as bait for larger fish, especially for large
trout, which prey upon it greedily.

Genus 3. — Fnndulns.
Species 1. — Fundnlus fasciatus — The striped Killifish.

In all the salt water creeks and hays of Pew Brunswick
and Nova Scotia, this fish abounds. In length, it is from 1 to 3^
inches, the sides of a brassy yellow tinged with green. It presents
much variety in its markings, having from twelve to eighteen
blackish bars, often obscure, and two to five longitudinal stripes.

Its popular name is derived from its abundance in creeks
and estuaries, which the Dutch settlers at New York iermed
"kills." It is also known by its Indian name of '^'n.umma-
chog," corrupted by the English settlers on the Golf shore of
New Brunswick, where it abounds, to '* mammychub."

It is only taken as h/evc for other fishes. Some of these fisb
which were caught in the Harbour of Shediac in a landing net,
were observed to be remarkably tenacious of life, and to live a
long time out of the water af^er being hung up in the net.

of

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. 195

Family 2. — Silurid^e.

Genus l.—-Pimelodus.

Species 1. — Pimelodus catus — The common Cat-fish.

This unsightly fish is fi)und in all those ponds and streams
where the yellow and white perch are taken, and is sometimes
called the "horned pout;" its length is from 6 to 10 inches.
The ca*^-fish is not eaten in New Brunswick, but in Maine and
Massachusetts it is highly esteemed as an article of food, and
by many preferred to every other species of fresh water fishes,
except troUt; it is usually fried, the skin being first removed.

Familv 3. — Salmonid^.

Genus 1. — Salmo.

Species 1. — Salmo fontinalls — The Brook Trout.

Nearly every lake and stream in New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia, is furnished with a greater or less number of this spe-
cies of the salmon family. It is taken of all sizes, from 6 to
20 inches, and is so well known, as scarcely to need a descrip-
tion. Its principal characteristics are — the vermillion dots
and larger yellow spots in the vicinity of the lateral line, and
the tri-coloured fins, these being blackish on tLeir edges, broadly
bordered with white, and the rest scarlet.

The brook trout is a migratory fish ; when in its power, it
invariably descends to the sea, and returns to perpetnato its
species, by depositing its spawn in the clearest, coolest, and
most limpid waters it can find. The opinion of Mr. Herbert,
(" Frank Forrester") that there is but one distinct species of
the brook trout in North America, cannot be disputed. Du-
ring the last thirty years, the writer has caught many thousands
of these trout, in numerous rivers, lakes, streams and estua-
ries, in the lower Provinces and in Maine, and can safely say,
after close and attentive examination, that he has never seen
but one species of ♦'-e brook trout, whatever naturalists may
say to the contrary.

Various causes have been assigned for the great variety in
the colour of the brook trout. One great cause is the differ-
ence of food ; such as live upon fresh water shrimps and other
Crustacea, are the brightest ; those which feed upon May-flies
and other common aquatic insects, are the next ; and those
which fetd upon worms are the dullest and darkest of all.

The colour and brilliancy of the water has also a very material
effect upon the colour and appearance of salmo fontinalis.
Professor Agassiz has made some very curious experiments
with respect to the colours of fishes, espe.lally the salmoaidse;
and he has ascertained beyond a doubt, not only that trout of
different neighbouring waters are effected by the colour and

196

Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

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quality of the water, but that trout of the same river vary in
colour, accordingly as they haunt the shady or sunny side of
the stream.

The tish of streams rushing rapidly over pebbly beds, are
superior both in appearance and quality to those of ponds, or
semi-stagnant brooks. But this may arise not so much from
any particular components of the waters themselves, as from
the fact, that rapidly vunning and falling water, is more highly
aerated, the atmosphere being more freely intermingled with
it, and therefore more conducive to the liealth and condition
of all that inhabit it.

The brook trout of Americp, says Mr. Herbert, is one of
the most beautiful creatures, in form, colour, and motion, that
can be imagined. There is no sportsman actuated by the true
animus of the pursuit, who would not prefer basketing a few
brace of good trout, to taking a cart load of the coarser and
less game denizens of the water. His wariness, his timidity,
his extreme cunning, the impossibility of taking him in clear
and much fished waters, except with the slend rest and most
delicate tackle — his boldness and vigour after being hooked,
and his excellence on the table, place him, without dispute,
next to the salmon alone, as the first of fresh water fishes.
The pursuit of him leads into the loveliest scenery of the Innd;
and the season at which he is fished for, is the most delightful
portion of the year.

The brook trout rarely exceeds three pounds in weight ; and
no well-authenticated case is on record, of one of the species
having reached the weight of six pounds, in these Lower
Provinces.

Species 2. — Salmoferox — The great grey Trout.

This fish is found in all the large lakes of New Brunswick,
and in very many of those in Maine, but it is believed not to
exist in the lakes of Nova Scotia ; it is called by the lumberers
the " togue ;" the Indians designate it by a name equivalent
to " fresh water cod."

It is found in great numbers and of large size in the Eagle
Lakes, at the head of Fish River ; in the St. Francis Lakes,
from which flows the river of that name ; and in the Matap^;-
diac Lake, which discharges itself into the Restigouche, and
in the Miramichi Lake, at the head of that river.

In Lake Temiscouata, this fish has been taken of the weight
of 21 lbs ; it is there called the "tuladi." It is often taken of
the weight of 121bs. and upwards, in the Cheputnecticook
Lakes, at the head of the eastern branch of the Saint Croix.
One sporting friend informs the .writer, that he caught two of
these fish on the Saint Croix Grand Lake, one of which
weighed Slbs., and the other ISlbs. ; but that he saw one,
taken by a night-line, which weighed 251bs. Another sporting
friend, a resident of New York, informs the writer that he has

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Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

197

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visited the lakes on the western branch of the Saint Croix,
where he caught several of the " togue," weighing from 4lbs.
upwards. The largest he caught measured 29 inches in length,
but weighed 81bs. only, not being in good condition.

It has l)een found of late years, that this species of fish exists
in considerable numbers in Loch Lomond, 12 miles from the
City of Saint John ; and they have in consequence, been
sought after by sportsmen, who take them from a boat, by
trolling over the deepest portions of the Loch.

A specimen of this fish, taken in I och Lomond in 1848,
was sent to the writer by Charles Johnston, Esquire, High
Sheriff of Saint John, which was 24 inches in length, and
weighed 7ilbs. On a careful examination and dissection of
this fish, it was found to correspond exactly with the fish
described by Mr. Yarrell as salmo fcrox, the great grey trout
of Loch Awe.

In Scotland, this fish is taken from a *)oat rowed gently
through the water ; the bait, a small fish guarded by several
good sized hooks. They are extremely voracious, and having
seized the bait, will allow themselves to be dragged by the
teeth for forty or fifty yards, and when accidentally freed, will
again immediately seize it. The young fish up to 31bs. weight
rise freely at the usual trout-flies ; the writer has often taken
them up to that weight by fly-fishing, but never larger.

When in perfect season and full grown, it is a handsome
fish, though the head is too large and long to be in accordance
with perfect ideas of symmetry in a trout. The colours are
deep purplish brown on the upper parts, changing into reddish
gray, and thence into fine orange yellow on the breast and
belly. The body is covered with markings of different sizes,
varying in number in diflfercnt indiv''^uals. Each spot is sur-
rounded by a pale ring, which someiuncs assumes a reddish
hue ; the spots become more distant from each other as they
descend below the lateral line, and the lower parts of the fish
are spotless. The fins are of a rich yellowish green colour,
darker towards their extremities. The tail is remarkable for
its breadth and consequent power.

The flavour of this fish is coarse and indifferent ; the flesh is
of an orange yellow, not the rich salmon colour of the common
trout, in good condition. The stomach is very capacious, and
generally found gorged with fish ; it is very voracious, and
well deserves the name of salmo ferox.

Species 3. — Salmo trutta — The Salmon Trout, or White Sea

Trout.

This beautiful trout abounds in the Gulf of St. Lawrence ;
it is found on the northern shores of New Brunswick, and in
the estuaries of those rivers of New Brunswick and Nova
fiootia which flow into the Gulf, and the Strait of Canso, earlj

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198

Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

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in June — ^it is caught in nets at the Magdalen Islands in sum'
mer, and salted for export. Many sportsmen resort annually
to River Philip in Nova Scotia, during the month of June, to
fish for these sea-trout, which enter the estuary of the river at
that season. No specimen of this fish has yet been seen in
the Bay of Fundy, which it is supposed not to frequent.

The flesh of the salmon trout is of a brilliant pink colour,
and most excellent ; its exceeding fatness early in the season,
when it first enters the mixed water of the estuaries, is such,
that it can be preserved fresh but a very short time.

The body of the fish is rather deep for its length ; the lateral
line is very nearly straight, passing along the middle of the
body, the scales adhering closely. The upper part of the head
and body, a rich sea-green colour j the lower part of the sides
and belly, a brilliant silvery white. The fins white, except
the dorsal, which is nearly the colour of the back.

Sir William Jardinc in speaking of this fish, accurately
dc scribes its habits, as observed in New Brunswick. Hs says,
— " In approaching the entrance of rivers, or in seeking out
ns it were some one they preferred, shoals of these fish may
be seen coasting the bays and harbours, leaping and sporting^
in great numbers, from about one pound, to three or four
pounds in weight ; and in some of the smaller bays, the shoal-
could be traced several times circling it, and apparently
f^oc'ng."

Mr. H. Robinson Storer, during his visit to Labrador in 1849,
met with a single specimen of the salmon trout of the Gulf, at
Red Bay, in the Straits of Belleisle, and not being acquainted
with the fish, designated it salmo immaculatus. The scientific
description he gives, is accurately that of the salmo trutta
marina, and is as follows : — " Colour — Silvery on sides and
abdomen ; darker on back ; no spots. Description — ^Length
of head, about one-sixth length of body ; depth of head, two-
thirds its length ; greatest depth of body, directly in front of
dorsal fin, equal to length of head. Upper jaw the longer.
Jaws with numerous sharp incurved teeth. Eyes laterally
elongated ; their diameter one-third the distance between
them. Opercles rounded posteriorly; lower portion of oper-
culum naked, marked with concentric strice ; preopercle lar-
ger than in the fontinalis. Scales larger than those of the
fontinalis. Lateral line commences back of superior angle of
opercle, and, assuming the curve of the body, is lost at the
commencement of the caudal rays. The first dorsal fin com-
mences just anterior to median line : is nearly quadrangular.
Adipose fin situated at a distance back of the first dorsal, little
less than one-half the length of the fish. Pectorals just beneath
posterior angle of operculum ; their length three-fiflhs that of
the head. Ventrals just beneath posterior portion of first dor-
sal ; the plates at their base very large. The anal is situated
at a distance back of the ventrals just equal to length of headi.

1'

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

199

«tnd terminates directly beneath the adipose fin ; of the form
•of first dorsal. Caudal deeply forked ; its length equal to
greater deptJh of body. Dorsal 9 ; pectorals 13 ; ventrals 9 ;
«:nal 11; catidal 30; length, 131 inches."

To the epicure, a fresh caught salmon ti'out of tiie Gulf of
Saint Lawrence, especially early in the season, will always
:afiror<l a rich treat- The sportsman will find it a thoroughly
game fish, rising well at a brilliant fly of scarlet ibis and gold,
4ind affoi-ding sport second only to salmon fisliing. The wri-
ter has caught this fish, with the scarlet ibis fly, in the break
«f tlie surf, at the entrance of Saitit Peter's Bay, on the nortli
side of Prince Edward Island, of the weight of 5 lbs. ; but the
most sporting fishing is from a boat, :nder easy sail, with a
*' inackei«1 brecajc," and oftentimes a, lieayy " groxmd swell.^'
The fly skips from wave to wave, ai the end of thirty yards
•of line, and tliere tshould be at least seventy yards more on the
reel. It is truly ^splendid sport, as a strong fish will often-
times make a long run, xuul give a ^arp chase down the
iwitid.

AtCiuysboro^ aaad Crow Harbour, in the Strait of Canso,
there is excellent «ea-troiit fishing at the end of June, as also
in the Great Bras D'Or Lake, within tl*e Island of Cape
Breton. The largest sea-trout rarely exceed seven pounds
weight ; these are taken around the Magdalen Islands, and in
the estaaries of all the rivers of the Lal)radoT coast, from
Mingan to the northern end of the Straits of Belleisle- At the
<^ntraBces to many of these rivers, the sea-trout were taken in
the greatest abundance, of four ]X)unds weight and upwards,
-during the summer of 1851, by the Oflicers of Her Majesty's
iSloop "Sappho," whidi visited the whole of that coast, as far
north as Chateau Bay, under «onimaiid of Captain iibe Honor-
able A. A. Cochrane.

Alluding to the sporting character of the white, or sea-trout
fishing, in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Frank Forrester, in his
■" Fisb and Fishing," says — " Right well would it repay some
-of our gallant yacliters, to turn the heads of tlieir light 'Tafts
-easterly, a«d bear away, as t3ie old song has it, with a wet
sheet and a flowing sail, for the rock-bound shores of Nova
Scotia and New Brunswieli, for once thcT«, right hospitable
would tliey find tbear welcome, and tlieir spcMl riglit irojaL'*

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Species 4. — Salmo salar — The Salmon.

The noble salmon, which honc.t Izaak Walton justly calls
*" the king of fresh w"*cr fish," is so well known in the North
American Colonies as to need n6 description.

As in Europe, 'So in America, it is agreed that there is but
one species — salmo salar — ^The Salmon. And so also is it
:agreed, that the salmon of Europe and tint of America, are
firjeciselj similar ; ihe aame fish ideuticafiji

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200

Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

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The salmon enters the rivers of Nova Scotia during the latter
part of April. Those rivers of New Brunswick which fall into-
the Bay of Fundy, the salmon enters at the latter part of May ;
while it seldom enters ^ha rivers which fall into the Gulf of
Saint Lawrence, until the month of June. The female salmon
first enters the rivers ; the male fish folbws, about a month
later than the female ; and lastly, come the grilse, or young
salmon, which continue to ascekul tlie rivers during July and'
August.

Salmon swim with great rapidity, shoot up the most oblique
and glancmg rapids with the velocity of an ari'ow, and fre-
quently leap falls 10 and 12 feet in height. It h believed, that
the utmost Hmrt of perpendicular height which a salmon canr
attain in leaping, is 14 feet ;■ but their perseverance is remark-
able, for although they may faiH time after time, yet afler
remaining quiescent for a few moments to recruit their strength,,
they renew their efJbrts, and generally succeed ; but, it is said,,
they sometimes kill themselves by the violence ef these efforts.

In New Brunswick, the salmon seldom deposits its spawm
until the middle of October. Mr. Price has observed the-
salmon in the Miramichi, in the act of spawning, as late as the
20th of November. The fish that hwve spawned, generally
return to the sea before the fivers become- ice-bound' in De-
cember J but many remain ia the fresh water all winter, andf
go down to the sea at the breaking up of the ice in spring;

On one occasion, i» the month of December, Mr. Price
states tliat he saw fifteen large salmon, caught with a spear^
through a hole cut ia the ice which covered- a creek above
Boiestown.

Before entering the rivers, they live a while in the brackis-h
water of the tide-ways, as they do also when they descend to
the sea, to render the change from one to theotber less abrupt,,
and to rid themsdves of certain parasitical animals, which*
attach to then>, when they remain long either in fresh water»
er in salt, as the case may be.

The spawn is not deposited until the water is greatly below
its summer temperature. Professor A^assiz stated personally
to the writer, that 42'' of Fahrenheit's therroonTeter, or 10**
above the freezing^ point, was the temperature at whieh salm(Mi>
usually cast their ova; It is absolutely necessary, that the^
water should be aerated, or highly supplied with oxygen ;;
hence the salmon Kesort to shallow, pure water, and swiftly
running streams, the rapidity and frequent falls in which, im-
part purity and vitality, by mingling their waters with the-
atmosphere.

A series of interesting and carefully conducted experiments
in Great Britain, have within a few years, led' to a much more
accurate knowledge of the habits of the salmon, than was
before possessed, and corrected many erroneous impressions..
It has been fiaund^ that the eggs of the salmon are hatched iot

mmm

Of New Brunswick and Nova Seotia,

201

114 days, when the temperature of the water is nt 36° — in 101
days Avhen it is at 43-' — and in 90 day» when it is at 45°. At
the end of two months, the yoimnc fish attains the length of an
inch and a quarter ; at the age of six months, it has grown to'
the length of three inches and a quarter.

In this state tlie yonng salmon fry are called parrs, and
are readily known by their silvery scales, and by their having
perpendicular Imrs, of a dusky gray colour, crossing the lateral
line. In this state, the fi7 remain a whole year in the fresh
water, not going down to the sea until the second .spring after
being hatched. As they readily take both fly and bait, great
numbers are often destroyed in mere wantonness ; and it is
desirable all colonists should know, that the destr xtion of
these fry, (which from their dark cross-bars and small red
spots like the young of trout, are supposed not to be the young
of salmon) will inevitably destroy the run of salmon in any
river, and tend, with other causes, to the extirpation of tFris
magnificent fish. When parrs are taken in angling, they
should, if uninjured, be immediately returned to the stream,
and every true sportsman will carefully do so.

The growth of the parr is very slow, but when it has attained
the length of 7 inches, a complete change takes place in its
colour. The dark cross-bars disappear, as also the small red
spots, and the fish assumes a brilliant s-ilvcry appearance. It
then bears the outward semblance of what it leally is, a young
salmon, and is termed a salmon-smolt,.

As soon as this change has taken place, the smolt evinces
the most anxious desire to visit the sea ; and it is alleged, that
if it is prevented doing so, by any insuperable obstacle, it will
throw itself on the bank and perish. Up to this time, the
growth of the young salmon has been very slow, but or
reaching the sea, it is exceedingly rapid ; a smolt of six or
seven ounces in weight, after two or three months absence in
the sea, will return as a grilse of four or five pounds weight ;
this has been proved beyond all dispute. Smolts have been
taken by hundreds, marked with numbered tickets of zinc
attached to their dorsal fins, then set at liberty, and recaptured
in the autumn of the same year, as grilse, varying from twa
to eight* pounds in weight. These have been released with
the labels unremovcd, and have been seen in the spring of the
third year, returning to the sea, with weight not increased ; in
the succeeding autumn, they have been once more taken, as
full grown fish, from 16 to. 25 pounds weight.

The microscopical researches of Dr. Knox have shown,
^hat the food of the salmon, previous to its quitting the salt
water, consists of the eggs of echinodermata and Crustacea:,
this rich aliment giving the colour and flavour for which its flesh
is so highly prized. This is sustained by the observations of
Professor Agassiz, who states, that the most beautiful salmon
trout are found in waters which abound in crustaceee^ direct

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202

Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

,1

experiments having shown to his satisfaction, that the intcnisity
«f the red colour of their flc h depends upon the quantity of
gammarintn which they have devoured.

Fly-fishing for salmon, in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick,
increases annually, as tltc various rivers become known, and
the proper localities and seasons are ascertained. The two
most noted rivers in Nova Scotia, are the Gold River, which
flows into the Atlantic, west of Halifax, and St. Mary's River,
to the eastward of that port. . In New Brunswick, the best
rivers are tlie South West Miramichi, from Boiestown upwards,
and the Nepisiguit River, which flows into the Bay of Chaleur
at Bathurst. It is known however, that there is good salmon
fishing in several other rivers, of both Provinces ; while it is
believed, that there are many rivers, especially in the northern
part of New Brunswick, yet untried, which if visited by expe-
rienced sportsmen, not afraid of rough work at the outset,
would aflbrd good sjk)!!, ano heavy fish during the whole of
every season.

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Genus 2. — Osmerus.
Species I. — i^smcrus viridesccns — The American Smelt.

This beautiful and savory fish abounds in Ncav Brunswick
and Nova Scotia; it is sometimes taken a foot in length, but
its average size is about 5 or 6 inches.

Very soon after the rivers are freed in spring from their icy
fetters, the sme'ts rush in to the smaller streams, in countless
thousands, and are then taken with the most wasteful profu-
sion. The popular name of smelt is given to this fish, from
its peculiar smell, which resembles that of cucumbers ; this is
strongest when the fish is first taken, l)ut it may be perceived
by raising the gill-covers, after thq fish has been some time
out of the water.

On the gulf coast of New Brunswick, large quantities of the
smelt are used every season as manure. At Miscou and other
fishing stations in the Bay of Chaleur, it is taken in great num-
bers, with the seine, and used as bait for cod. The endless
abundance of the smelt, causes it to be less valued as food,
than it really deserves. '

The smelt feeds largely on the shrimp. It bites readily at
the hook, baited with a piece of any of the crustaceous mimals,
and affords endless sport to young anglers. They are also
caught in thousands by fishing through holes cut in the ice,
during winter, and are then greatly prized. The writer has
frequently taken the smelt with a small scarlet fly, while fish-
ing for sea-trout in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and they
would undoubtedly furnish very pretty light sport, if other and
nobler game did not exist in the same locality.

tenisity
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Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Genus 3. — Mallotus.

203

* ■'.

Species 1. — Mallotus villosus — The Capclin.

This, the smallest species of the salmon family, inhabits the
northern seas only, never ranging further south than the
shores of New Brunswick. It is very nearly allied to the
genus osmerus, from which however it differs in the smallncss
of its teeth, and in certain other particulars. Some natural-
ists have called this fish salmo grocnlandicus, while others
have elapsed it among the herring family. Cuvier has decided,
that it belongs to the salmonldte, to which it seems now settled
it properly appertains.

The capelin is from 4 to 7 inches in length, the under jaw
longer than the upper; the back and top of the head a dull
leek green, with bright green and yellow reflections, when
moved in the light ; sides and belly covered with delicate and
verv bright silvery scales, which are dotted on the margins
with black specks ; the back covered with small smooth grains,
like shagreen.

The manner in which the capelin deposits its spawn, is one
of the most curious circumstances attending its natural history.
The male fishes are somewhat larger than the female, and are
provided with a sort of ridge, projecting on each side of their
back bones, similar to the eaves of a house, in which the female
capelin is deficient. The latter, on approaching the beach to
deposit its spawn, is a f tended by two male fishes, who huddle
the female between them, until the whole body is concealed
under the projecting ridges, and her head only is visible. In
this position, all three run together, with great swiftness, upon
the sands, when the males, by some inherent imperceptible
power, compress the body of the female between their own, so
as to expel the spawn from an orifice near the tail. Having
thus accomplished its delivery, the three capelins separate,
and paddling with their whole force through the shallow water
of the beach, generally succeed in regaining once more the
bosom of the deep ; although many fail to do so, and are cast
upon the shore, especially if the surf be at all heavy.

The Rev. Mr. Anspach, in his work on Newfoundland, thus
describes the arrival of the capelin schull at Conception Bay,
where he resided for some years : —

"It is impossilile to ronceivp, much more to desorilie, tlie Bpl^nrlirl nppcnrnnop, on a
heantiful moonlight nisrht. nt this timp. Tlirn. thn vnst surfnoe of the Bay is nompletcly
oovcred witli myriads of fishes, of vnrioiis kinds and sizrs. all nrtivply pncrnefd, either in
pursninp or avoidinjt eneh other. The whales, altenia'plv risinij and pluncincr. throwinc;
into the air spoutsof watp_,r ; liie nod-fish, houndins above the waves, and reilectinp the light
of the inoon from their silvery surfaf e : the rapelins, hurrying awny in immense shoals, to
geek a refuge on the shore, where each retiring wave leaves multitudes skipping upon the
iand, an easy prey to the woinen and ehildren. who stand there with barrows and I)uekef8,
ready to seize ujion the prerions and plentiful booty; while the fishermen in their skiffs,
with nets made for that purpose are industriously engaged in securing a sufficient quantity
of this valuable bait fortheir fishery."

Like the common smelt, the capelin possesses the cucumber
smell ; but it differs from the smelt in never entering fresh
water streams.

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204

Descriptive Catalogue of Fishet

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As an article of bait for cod, and other fish of that class, the
capclin is of much importance ; wherever abundant, the cod
fishin*; is excellent. It has been found as far north in the
arctic regions as man has yet penetrated ; and it forms so
important an article of food in Greenland, that it has been
termed the daily bread of the natives. In Newfoundland, it is
dried in large quantities, and exported to London, where it is
sold principally in the oyster shops.

Genus 4. — Corcgonus.
SpiBcies 1. — Coregonus albus — The White Fish.

This fish, the celebrated attihaiimeg of the great northern
lakes, so ftequcntly described by arctic voyagers as the most
delicious of nil purely fresh water fishes, is found in consi-
derable numbers in Lake Temiscouata, where many are taken
every autumn by the French Cnnadians, who come over from
the Saint Lawrence to fish for them, and call them poisson
pointa; the English lumbermen call them "gizzard-fish."
They are taken occasionally along the Madawaska River; and
the writer has caught them with rod and line below the falls
of that river, at its confluence with the Saint John, in the early
part of summer. At these fulls, the inhabitants take about
forty barrels every autumn, which are cured in pickle for
wintev use.

The white fish abounds in all the Eagle Lakes, at the head
of Fish River, a tributary of the upper Saint John, and also in
the Saint Francis Lakes, at the head of that trihutary. In
these lakes, it is caught abundantly, every autumn, during the
night, by torch-light, with dip-nels. It has not been observed
in any of the lakes or rivers which discharge into the Gulf of
Saint Lawrence, nor yet in any of the waters of Nova Scotia.

Some years since, this fish was abundant in the Grand Lake,
where the writer in the month of May, saw great numbers
taken out of gill-nets set for gaspercan, and thrown away by
the fishermen as worthless. At the same time the writer
caught a number of them, with rod and line, in one of those
small pieces of water connected with the Grand Lake, usually
called " key-holes." It is occasionally taken in the Saint John,
throughout its whole extent ; in the Harbour of Saint John, in
spring, it has been often caught in the seines and weirs, with
the gaspereau, and salted with that fish, from the want of
knowledge of its worth. James Brittain, Esquire, of the
Nerepis, states, that he takes a number of white fish every
season, in his salmon nets, at the mouth of that river — and
that they enter it, in large shoals, every season, at the end of
March, or early in April, he having seen them through the ice.

In June, 1851, several very fine white fish, weighing nearly
three pounds each, were caught in a gill-net, in Darling's
Lake, near Hampton Ferry.

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

205

for

It is very probable, that the fish of this species found in the
lower part of the Saint John, have ventured out of the great
lakes, at the sources of its upper tributaries, and been swept
over the Grand Falls, by some extraordinary flood ; once over
those falls, there is no possibility of return.

The white fish seen by the writer have seldom exceeded
a poun:! nnd u half in weight ; but they are taken in Lake
Temiscouata of the weight of three pounds, and even more.
It is an inhabitant of all the interior lakes of America, from
Lake Erie to the Arctic Sea ; several Indian tribes muinly
subsist upon it, and it forms the principal food at many of tho
fur posts, for eight or nine months of the year, the supply of
other articles of diet being scanty and casual. Its usual weight
in the northern regions is from two to three pounds, but it has
been taken in the clear, deep, and cold waters of Lake Huron,
of the weight of thirteen pounds. The largest seen in the
vicinity of Hudson's Bay, weighed betweep 4 and 5 lbs.,
measured 20 inches in length, and 4 in depth. One of 7 lbs.
weight, caught in Lake Huron, was 27 inches long.

Very recently, the writer had an opportunity of seeing some
fresh specimens of the white fish of Lake Erie, and was per-
fectly satisfied of their identity with the '* gizzard-fish" of tho
Saint John, and Lake Temiscouata.

During the summer, the white fish is not seen in Lake
Temiscouata, and it is then supposed to retire to the depths of
that unusually deep and cold lake. In October, it draws near
the shores, and ascends the Tuladi River, for the purpose of
spawning. It ascends the river during the night, and having
deposited its spawn, returns as quickly as possible to the lake.
It is when this fish draws near the shore, prior to spawning,
that the fishery is carried on, chiefly at a little bay in Lake
Temiscouata, into which the Tuladi discharges its waters. At
the same time, the great grey trout (salmo ferox) follows the
white fish to the shore, and preys upon it. While the nets are
set for white fish, the fishers, with torch and spear, attack and
capture the salmo ferox, frequently of large size ; and hence
this latter fish has acquired the name of " tuladi," from the
river to which it is attracted by its favourite prey.

The white fish feeds largely on fresh water shell-fish, and
shelly mollusca ; its stomach thereby gains an extraordinary
thickness, and resembles the gizzard of a fowl, hence its popu-
lar name of " gizzard-fish." The stomach, when cleaned and
boiled, is a favourite morsel with the Canadian voyageurs.

Family 4. — CnjPEiDiE.

Genus 1. — Clupca.

Species 1. — Clupea elongata — Common American Herring.

As the herring of North America has been found to differ
greatly from the herring of Europe, (clupea harengus,) the

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206

Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

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M t . :

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naturalists of tlio United States have distinguished it by the
name of clupea elongata. Fishermen designate it by the name
of " blue-back," and sometimes they call it the " English
herring ;" very often, they add the name of the locality whore
it is taken, to distinguish particular varieties.

The statements made by the older naturalists, as to vast
armies of herrings coming down annually from the Arctic
Ocean, and making the circuit of the seas, is now supposed to
be wholly imaginary. It is generally believed, at present, that
the herring fattens in the de])ths of the ocean, and approaches
the shore in shoals, merely for the purpose of depositing its
spawn. In this opinion, Mr. Yarrell fully coincides, and there
can scarcely be a better authority. It is quite certain, that
the common herring is caught on the shores of New Bruns-
wick during every month of the year, which quite precludes
the idea of its being a migratory fish.

It is found everywhere on the coast of Nova Scotia;, and
from the information obtained by the writer during his official
inspection of the fisheries, it appears certain, that there are
several vaiieties of the common herring, some of which spawn
early in the spring, and others in August and September ; also,
that the quality varies very considerably in difterent localities.
The habits, haunts, and seasons, of this fish are only beginning
to be understood, and accurate observations on these, would be
highly useful to all who are interested in the herring fishery.

:r!n

f-:i

Species 2. — Clupea minima — The Britt.

Dr. Storer, in his Report on the Fishes of Massachusetts,
says that this pretty little specimen of herring is found, at
certain seasons, in incredible numbers, on the coast of that
State, and serves as food for several other species offish. It
varies in length, from one to four inches ; the back, nearly
black ; the upper parts of the sides, dark green ; sides silvery,
with roseate and golden reflections.

The fishermen of the Bay of Fundy speak of this fish, as
having been formerly vjry abundant, but now seen only occa-
sionally. As the writer has not been fortunate enough to see
a specimen, he cannot describe it from his own observation. It
is said to be frequently met with in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

t i;

Genus 2. — Alosa — The Shad.

Species 1. — Alosa sapidissima — The American Shad.

The shad of America, like the common herring, having been
found to differ materially from the shad of Europe, has received
a distinct name ; the designation given by Wilson, and adopted
by Dr. Storer, alosa sapidissima, is here followed.

Unlike most fish which frequent ihie northern seas, this
species comes from the south to deposit its spawn. Dr. DeKay,

Of New Brumwick and Nova Scotia.

207

been
iived
pted

in his Report on the Fishes of New York, says he infers this
to be the ftict, from the order of its appearance along tlie
American coast. At Charleston, shad appear in January ; at
Norfolk, in February ? on the coast of New York, at the latter
end of March, or beginning of April ; at Boston, in the latter
part of April. In the Bay of Fundy, they seldom appear until
the middle of May. The first fish which arrive, ascend the
' River Saint John to npawn ; it is believed, that they remain
in the fresh water no longer than is necessary to deposit their
ova, and then proceed up the Bay of Fundy, to their favourite
feeding grounds, there to fatten upon the shrimp and •' shad-
worm," until they attain that degree of excellence which
renders them so much sought after. The other shad, which
are found in the autumn upon the same feeding grounds, and
in which no roe has yet been seen, are probably fish that have
not attained a sufficient age for spawning, as those which
ascend the river for that purpose, are of large size and appa-
rently old fish.

The body of this fish is deep and compressed ; its length
varies from one to two feet. The width across the body, from
the commencement of the dorsal fin, to the anal, is nearly equal
to one-fifth the length of the fish. Abdominal ridge serrated
throughout ; the whole body covered with large deciduous
scales, except the head, which is naked. The usual weight
of this fish is from one to four pounds, although it sometimes
attains the weight of six pounds.

Mr. Herbert (Frank Forrester) in his " Fish and Fishing,"
speaking of the shad, says :- -

" This delicious and well known §sli, v/hich is bv inimy ealeemed the auecn of all (islic*
on the tabic, haa been, until very recently, regarded as one that could be taken only with the
net, and tu .-refore of no avail to the angler. It is now, however, clearly proved, that like
the herrinp, the American shad will take a large gnudy fly freely, and being a strong, active,
and powerful Ash, nttbrds great play to the sportsman.

" ft is indisputably true, that on his entrance into fresh water from the salt, fur the pur-
pose of spawning, the shad will readily take a gaudy fly, the more readily tiie higher lie
runs up into the cold and highly aerated waters, in tho upper parts of onr large rivers.

" The flesh of tlie shad is, perhans, the most delicate of any existing fish ; and, though it
lacks the lusciousness, as well as tne glutinous fin of the turbot, it is preferred to that fish
by many judicious epicures, notwithstanding the drawback occasioned by its innumerable

and sharply-pointed bones.

" From personal experience and success, I can assure the fly-fisher, that he will find
much sport in fishing for the shad, during his upward run in the spring, with a powerful
trout-rod, a long line, and the proper flies."

Of the sea shad, none are so fine as those taken at the head
of the Bay of Fundy, in the muddy waters of which they attain
the highest perfection, owing to the great abundance there of
their favourite food, the " shad-worm" and the shrimp. The
shad is but rarely seen on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia ;
it is found in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the various rivers
of which it ascends, as far north as the Miramichi, which see:r..i
to be its limit in that direction, none having been seen in the
Bay of Chaleur.

The shad enters the Miramichi in the latter part of May,
and remains until the middle of July ; occasionally it ascends
the South West as far as Boiestown, but the greatest numbers

1 1'

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208

Descriptive Catalogue vf Fishes

are found below the mouth of Etienne's River, always resting
in deep, quiet water. The shad which frequent the Gulf are
greatly inferior to thot.„ taken in the Bay of Fundy.

The shad which ascend the Saint John, resort for spawning
to Darling's Lake, (Kennebecasis,) Douglas Lake, (Nerepis,)
the Washadenioac Lake, the Ocnabog Luke, the Grand Lake,
and the Oromocto River. They are caught in the Saint John
near Fredericton, but not above, the water being too rapid.
The shad taken in the fresh water, are very inferior to those
which remain exclusively in the salt water of the Bay, and
the longer they are in the river, the more worthless they
become.

hi!;i =

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'ft

Species 2. — Alosa tyrannus — The Gaspereau,

Alewive.

or American

The alewive appears in great quantities in the Chesapeake,
in March ; at New York, it appears with the shad. The
earliest fish appear in the Harbour of Saint John, in April, but
the kiain body does not enter the river before the 10th of May.
It would therefore appear, that the alewlvo also comes from
the south, like the common shad, to deposit its spawn in
northern rivers.

The usual length of this species of shad» which is be^t known
in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia by the name of gaspereau,
is from 8 to 10 inches ; the back a blue green, approaching to
purple ; sides, silvery. The head, dark green above, and the
tip of the lower jaw of the same colour ; opercles, yellow.

In the Bay of Fundy, this fish is abundant ; in the Gulf of
Saint Lawrence, it is less plentiful, and of much smaller size ;
in the Bay of Chaleur, it has not yet been noticed, and like
the shad, the Bay of Miramichi would see^n to be its extreme
northern limit.

The catcb of gaspereau in the Harbour of Saint John, varies
from 12,000 to 16,000 barrels each season, and sometimes
reaches 20,000 barrels. It ascends the Saint John to the
same localities as the shad, in order to depo&it its spawn. In
the Miramichi, it ascenr^» to the source, and spawns iu the
Miramichi Lake.

(Species 3.-

-Alosa menhaden — ?.'he Mossbonker.

This fish V6 known by a variety of popular names, among
which are " bony-fish " — " haid-head " — " pauhagen " — and
** menhaden.*' It ig seldom eaten, h'-'ng dry, without flavour,
and full of bones. On the roast, of the United States, it :9
used as bait for cod, and also extensively as manure, for reno-
vating old grass fields, but not without injury to the health of
those who reside in the vicinity. The mossbonker is some-
times caught in the weirs, within the H&i bour of Saint John,
iu considerable numbers ; i^ has occasionally been sold tg the

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia,

209

4gnoraTit as fall shad, t-o which it bears some resemblance.
"The mossbonker is exclusively a sea fish, never entering the
fresh water.

Species 4. — Alosa mattowaca — The Autumnal Herring.

Dr. DeKay says the autumnal, or fall herring, or **shad
•lierring," is a common fish at New York ; he has adopted the
-designation of that excellent naturalist Dr. Mitchill, who having
first observed this fish at Long Island, near New York, con-
ferred upon it the aboriginal name of the Island — Mattowaka.

A careful examination has Leen made of the ^'Quoddy her-
Ting," taken near Campo Bcllo, and it has been found to
correspond so exactly with the description given by Dr.
DeKay, that the writer, until better informed, ventures to
•class it as a member of the shad family. In flavour and excel-
lence, it ranks only second to the best shad of the Petitcodiac.
ft is exclusively a sea fish.

All the membci's of the shad family are serrated, or toothed
like a saw, on the belly^ whicli is carinate, or shaped like a
iieeL

' X

^RDER 3, — Fishes with ventrals under the pectorals, and the
pelvis suspended to the shoulder bones.

Family 1. — Gadid^e.

This family is one of the most important to man in the whole

class of fishes.

Genus 1. — Morrhua — The Cod.

Species 1. — Morrhua vulgaris — The common Cod.
Species 2. — Morrhna Americana — The American Cod.

The first of these two species is the common cod of New-
foundland, well known as an article of food, the wide world
"Over. Among fishermen, it is designated the bank cod ; it is
taken in deep water olf the coast of Nova Scotia, and altjo in
the entrance to the Bay of Fundy, between Brier Island nnd
Grand Manan. It Is always a thick, well-fed fish, and often
attains a great weight, soh^etimes 70 or 80 pounds, and even
more. The colour varies much in individuals, but is generally
«, greenish brown, fading into ash colour when the fish is dead,
with many reddish yellow spots ; the belly, silvery opaque
white ; the fins, pale green ; the lateral line, dead white.

This fish is taken from the coast of Maine northwardly, as
far as luan hias penetrated. Captain James C. Ross states,
that on the west coast of Greenland, in latitu4e 66'' 30' north,
a number of very fine codfish were caught by the crew of the
''^ Victory," on a bank consisting of small ketones, coarse sand,

14

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Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes'

n

h I.

and broken shells, with 18 to 30 fathoms over it. At tfic
Peninsnla of Boothia, Captam Ross purchased cod from the
Esquimaux, who caught them through holes in the ice.

The Commissioners of British Fisheries, in their Report ta
Parliament for the year 1846, state that two vessels in that
year, proceeded ^^x the first time, from the Shetland Islands
to Davis' Straits, for the prosecution of the cod fishery, and
were very successful, the number of fish taken Iiaving been
29,403 cod. The fish were caught in the ordinary manner,
with hand-lines and bait. So plenty were they in some places
not far from the shore, that they were caught with raspers, or
by letting down and drawing up a line with several bare
hooks fixed thereon, tied back to back. The fish were, how-
ever, chiefly caught upon a bank, with a depth of water from
15 to 40 fathoms, in latitude GC and 67*' north, and 55° west
longitude, from 30 to 40 miles off the land. The codfish were
in so great abundance, that nearly 2000 fish were caught by
the 20 men on board, in the course of 24 hours ; the whole
quantity was fished in 28 days, being an average daily catch
of 1000 fish. Some of the fish, when taken out of the sea,
weighed about 80 lbs., and when dressed, about tOll They
were of excellent quality, and tFieir livers were ; r> icn, that
they were preserved, with the firm conviction they would pro-
duce six tons of oil. In 1847, another successful attempt was
made by a vessel from Lerwick, to prosecute the cod fishing
at Davis' StraitP. The vessel reached the fishing ground on
the 23d of June, and continued to fish until the 16th of August,
during which time 42,143 cod were caught. This was consi-
derably above the take of the previous year, and but for
stormy weather, the voyage would have been even more
successful.

In September 1851, the writer saw in the fish murket of
Halifax, a bank eod weighing 5dlbs. It was a female fish, not
in good condition, having nearly finished spawning. Thr
fishermeu stated, that it was taken oflT Hafifax Harbo''
about ten miles from land, in four fathoms water, on a bar
to which the cod resort for spa^vning in August and Septem-
ber. The largest cod of this species brought into Halifax
market, during the season of 1851, weighed 861b8.

The second species named above, the American cod, is
slightly, though permanently, distinct from the common or
bank cod. The back is of a ITght olive green, (becoming pale
ash in the dead specimens) covered with numerous reddish
or yellowish spots, to a short distance below the fateral line,
which is an opaque white throtrghout its whole extent.

There are several varieties of the American cod, the a <L*st
usual of which are the arenostis, or shoal cod of Dr. Mitcbii ,
with a greenish brown hue, and inconspicuous spots ; and the
rupcstris, or rock cod of the sailne author, of a smaller size,
with a reddish hue, occasionally a bright red, very num^ronsh

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

211

west

on the whole coast of Nova Scotia, and in the vicinity of Grand
Manan. Fine specimens of this variety may be seen in the
fish market of Halifax, during the season ; their quality is
admirable.

The southern limit of the American cod is New York ;
thence it ranges northwardly, along the whole coast of North
America, to the Saint Lawrence.

It is believed, that there are several species and varieties of
cod, within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and especially on the
coast of Labrador ; but these have not yet been examined with
precision. In the Gulf, deformed fish are of common occur-
rence, the deformity frequently consisting in a fore-shortening
of the head, whence the fishermen call them " bu^l-dogs."

The cod is an exceedingly voracious fish. It attacks indis-
criminately tv3ry thing in its way, devouring smaller fish,
Crustacea, and marine shell-fish. Its stomach is the great
repository, from which naturalists have lately obtained so many
rare and undescribed species of shells, inhabiting deep water,
and which are unattainable by any other means.

A fisherman at Brier Island assured the writer, that he had
oflen seen the cod in shoal water, with their heads straight
down and tails up, working mussels and clams off the bottom.

Species 3. — Morrhua pruinosa — The Tomcod.

This fish ranges the whole American coast, from New York
northwardly ; it is taken on the shores of Nova Scotia and
New Brunsv/ick, throughout the year. It frequently ascends
rivers, even into fresh water.

The head is small, and flattened above ; the abdomen pro-
minent ; the tail long and slender ; the cheeks lustrous. It
varies in length from 4 to 12 inches. The colours of the tom-
cod vary greatly, scarcely any two individuals being exactly
alike ; five varieties have been fioticed, and it is thought the
number may be still further increased. It is a savory fish,
and may be taken in large quantities with the greatest ease.
As it seizes almost any bait greedily, it is a great source of
amusement to juvenile anglers everywhere.

In the early part of winter, after the first severe frost, it
becomes very abundant 'u the mixed waters of estuaries, and
hence the name of " frosi-fish" which is frequently applied to
it. At that season, it is in fine condition, and is consumed in
large quantities. Dr. Storer states, that no less than 20€'^
bushels of this fish, are sent annually from Watertown alone,
to the Boston market, and there meet a ready sale.

Species 4. — Morrhua teglefinua — The Haddock.

This fish is found everywhere on the American coast, north
of New York. Its distinctive colouring is blackish brown above,
and silvery gray below the lateral line, which is jet black. The

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212

Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

' :|i.|

back and sides are varied by purplish and gold gleams, which
disappear very soon after the fish is dead. The body of the
fish is stout forward, and tapering backward ; the head large
and arched ; the eyes large ; the lower jaw the shortest.

This in an exeedingly fine fish when eaten fresh, or when
slightly saited and smoked, in the same manner as the Finnan
haddocks of Scotland. It is too thin a fish for salting and
drying like the cod, and has only half the commercial value.

The haddock spawns early in spring, and the young are
said to be six inches long in September. Their food is small
fish, Crustacea, and almost any of the inferior animals of the
deep, even the spiny aphrodita. They are in best condition
for table in ^he latter part of the season.

Haddocks swim in immense shoals, and are prone V, change
their ground after having arrived. When their numbers are
considered, the consumption of food, even in a short space of
time, must be enormous ; and this may be one powerful reason
for their seeking new localities.

\t''^ bnddock is a favorite object of pursuit, with those who
foho p-sea fishing as an amusement. Haddock fishing may

be pui6 d with the greatest comfort and convenience, by the
amateur fisherman, in Quoddy River, between Campo Bello
and Eastport — in the Basin of Annapolis, near Digby — and in
the Harbour of Halifax. In each of those localities, the fish
are of excellent quality, and most abundant.

After describing the usual tackle for this fishing, Frank
Forrester says — " With this, in any eastern water, you may
rest assured of returning home with a boat-load of fish, a set
of very weary limbs, a pair of very sore hands, and an enor-
mous appetite, of which, mejudice^ the first and last alone are
desirable."

Genus 2. — Phycis.

Species 1. — Phycis Americanus — The American Hake.

The geographical range of this fish appears to be from Cape
Cod, northwardly. It is taken largely on muddy bottoms, both
in the Bay of Fundy and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, chiefly
by fishing during the night, at which time it feeds on the smaller
Crustacea, with which its stomach is generally found tc he filled.
In the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and Bay of Chaleur, it is inva-
riably called "ling," under which name, when salted and dried,
it is exported by the Jersey merchants, who have fishing estab-
lishments there, and who probably introduced the name.

This fish is frequently taken of the length of three feet,
especially in the Gulf; it is of a reddish brown colour, with
slight metallic reflections on the cheeks, and a dark patch be-
neath the orbits ; abdomen lighter, mixed with gray. It has
one barbule under the chin ; the ventral fins are simple rays,
divided or foFk€d, oife of the divisions longer than the other.

I * '-I

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Of New Brunsivick and Nova Scotia.

213

Head pointed, flattened above ; snout prominent ; the upper
jaw projects beyond the lower ; both jaws are arched with
several rows of sharp, incurved teeth, which render necessary
an armature of six or eight inches above the hook, as this fisk
readily bites off a common cod-line.

feet,
with
fhbe-
has

Genus 3. — Merlucius.
Species 1. — Merlucius albidus — The Silver Hake.

This fish has the same geographical range as the American
hake last mentioned. It is abundant around the Island of
Grand Manan, and is there known as the silver hake ; in the
market of Saint John, it is sold under the name of "whiting."

When quite fresh, it is an exceedingly sweet and palatable
fish, but it soon becomes soft and tasteless. As it is never
salted, the fishermen attach no value to it whatever. At Grand
Manan, the silver hake, of small size, is often taken in the
herring nets, in which it becomes entangled while pursuing
its prey. The writer observed the fishermen at Grand Manan
throwing away this fine fish by dozens, when ch ^ring their
herring nets. It is a mos; v'oracious fish, as implied by its
name, merlucius — the sea pike.

The head and upper pari of the body are of a dull lead
colour ; the sides and abdomen white. The eyes are very
large, the pupils black, the irides silvery. There is a sensible
depression on the top of the head between the eyes. The
lower jaw is the longest ; both jaws are armed with ill-defined
series of very sharp recurved teeth, some of which resemble
the fangs of serpents ; these long fang-like teeth arc distant,
the intervals being filled up with smaller teeth.

This fish is from one to two feet in length, and is of roving
habits, following the shoals of herrings, of which it devours
great quantities. It has been generally confounded with mer-
lucius \.mlgaris, the common hake of Europe, but Dr. DeKay
considers it distinct by its radial formula, long palatine teeth,
deeply concave caudal, and other particulars; he, therefore,
confers upon the American species the name of albidus.

Genus 4. — Merlangus.
Species 1. — Merlangus carhonarius — The Coal-fish or Pollack.

According to Dr. DeKay, this is one of the few oceanic
fishes which range on both sides the Atlantic. It is a northerD
fish, and the coast of New York is assigned as its southern*
limit, on this side the Atlantic. It is found far to the north,
and was the only fish met with by Lord Mulgrave on the
shores of Spitzbergen; the fry, only 4 or 5 inches in length,
were caught with the trawl net on the west coast of Davis*
Straits, during the first voyage of Captain Sir Edward I*arry.

t'h '11

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214

Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

The writer has not seen in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence a
single specimen of this fish; nor has he ever met a fisherman
who had taken one within the Gulf, except near the northern
end of the Strait of Canso. In the Bay of Fundy, the pollack
abounds almost everywhere, except in the muddy waters of
Cumberland Bay, and the Basin of Mines.

The head and body of this fish are elegantly shaped ; from
its beauty of form, and quickness of motion, the Bay of Fundy
fishermen oflen call it the '* sea-salmon.'*

The upper part of the head, and the back above the lateral
line, are ahnost black; beneath that line, (which is silvery white)
the fish is much lighter in colour, becoming greyish white,
with golden reflections on the sides and belly ; the head tapers
to the snout ; the upper jaw rather the shortest ; the mouth
black ; the teeth very small.

From almost every projecting point in the Bay of Passama-
quoddy, where there is a run of tide, young pollack may bo
taken during the summer, with rod and line, ver/ rapidly,
either with bait, or any gaudy artificial fly, even of rude con-
struction. The most attractive is the scarlet ibis with feold,
the same as used in the Gulf for white sea-trout.

The season for spawning is early in spring ; in the early
part of summer, the fish is lank and almost worthless. It
becomes in good condition in August, and improves as the
season advances ; it then prowls afl^^er prey in large companies.
It swims at no great depth, and when attracted by bait, will
keep near a boat or vessel until all are taken.

Pollack fishing may be considered the most valuable and
extensive of the deep-sea fisheries of the Bay of Fundy.

Genus 5. — Brosmius.
Species 1. — Brosmius vulgaris — The Torsk, Tusk, or Gush.

This is a northern fish, and its southern limit on the North
American coast, is Massachusetts Bay ; even in the Bay of
Fundy it is not very abundant. It is taken in deep water
while fishing for cod, and is said to prefer a rocky bottom on
which sea-weed grows. Its usual length is from 18 inches to
3 feet, which it rarely exceeds.

The colour of the body is a uniform dark slate, the head
rather dv^^r than the body. The mouth large, the jaws filled
with large, recurved teeth ; the upper jaw is a very little longer
than the lower ; a single barbule under the chin. The' Jorsal
fin begins well forward on the fish, and terminates just in front
of the tail ; the anal fin is continued to, the tail and nearly joins
it. The caudal fin is round, and like the dorsal and anal fins„
is margined with blue and edged with white. This latter
peculiarity renders the torsk, or cusk, easily distinguished
among all other inemb<;rs of the cod famify.

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

215

Dr. Storer is of opinion, that the torsk of America cannot be
'^distinguished from the torsk of Europe^ although LeSueur
-conceives there is a difference, and designates the American
species B. Jlavescens. In Europe this fish rarely appears
below 60°, or above 73'^, north latitude. It is plentiful on the
coast of Nojway, as far as Fimnark, and also on the west and
80uth coast of Iceland, but rare on its north and east coast.

The fish of this species taken in the Bay of Fundy, are
tisually caught in the latter part of winter, or early spring.
When eaten fresh, it is very.fiiie, but rather tough ^ it is there-
fore generally preferred after being dried. It then swells
much in boiling, and parts into very fhick flukes. In Boston^
this fish is considered a delicacy^ and when dried, is by many
thought preferable to eod.

I 1

iJenus 6. — Lota.

Species t.--Lof a maculosa — The Spotted Burbot, or Fresh-
water Cusk. .

This is the only *fi€mber of .the cod family which resides per-
manently in fresh water. Some hundreds are taken annually
in the Iliver Saint John, by night-lines dropped thrxiugh the
ice, at tlie beginning of winter. Many ^re thus taken near
Frederictan, but the best fishing ground is on the sand-Jbars, a.
little above the mouth of tlio Oromoctp River, where this fish
ATcsorts previous to its spawning, wliich takes place in February
•er March.

The length of the fresh-Avater cusli, is from 18 inches to 2
feet. Tlie body is compressed, and somewhat eel-shaped ; the
head broad, depressed; jaws nearly equal.; the gape large.
The teeth are in the jaws, sanall and recurved, ^distributed in
bands. The colour of the body is ayelloxvish brown, clouded
4ind spotted with darker brown spots, and it is Aovered with u
•mucous secretion. The fins partake of the colour of that part
4of the body from which tliey emanate, those of the lower surface
l)eing much the lightest.

In July, 1841, the writer caught one of this species of fish

•on a night-line in Lake Temiscouata, which weighed seven

pounds. It is ahundant in that lake, and also in the Eagle

and Saint Francis Lalces already montioned, in common with

the "white-fish," and "^reat grey troAit."

Dr. Richardson (Fauna Boreali Americana) says it is
common in every river and lake, from Canada to the northern
.cxtr'inity of this Continent. The Cree Indians call it the
*'mcthy;" the Canadian voyageurs name it "la loche," and
liy these two names it is known in the fur countries. Within
the limits of the United States, it is called the " eel-pout." It
is very voracious, feeding on smaller fish, and cray-ffsh ; these
last abound in Lake Temiscouata. Dr. Richardson says he
x)pBued scvicral of these fish taken at Pine Island Lake, in the

B

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210

Descriptive Catalogue of Fuheg

r

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1 'i

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month of March, which were filfed with crny-fish to sucFr »
degree, that the for. . of their bodies was quite distorted, the-
soft inte«^umcnt9 of their bellies admitting of great dilatation.

The flesh of the "fresh-water cask," is white, firm, and of
good flavour ; the liver and roe are considered delicacies. Whei»
well bruised and mixed with a little flour, the roc cnn be
baked into very good biscuits, which arc used in the fur coun*
tries as tc« bread.

This fish is not unlike the ce! in many of its habits, con-
cealing itself under stones, 'raiting and watching for its prey?
it feeds principally at night, and is therefore generally takero
by night-lines.

Family 2. — PleuronectiD/E — The Family of Flounders.

POPULARLY CALLED PLAT FISH.

The peculiarities of this family are thus described: — "Body
flat, compressed vertically ; upper surface dusky, and of va-
riou.^ colours; beneatbj white; dorsal single, extending the
whole length of the back ; both eyes placed on the same side
of the head ; no air-bladder ; branchial rays, six.*'

With such peculiar characteristics, the members of this
family are readily recognized everywhere. In some of the
members, the eyes are placed on a diflerent side from their
usual situation, and these are termed, reversed individuals ;-
more rarely it happens, that both sides are coloured, when they
are said to be doubled. As some confusion has arisen, as to*
whether a fish is right or left, dextratov sinistral., the following
is the rule adopted. The fish is pFaced on its edge with the
tail to the observer, and the dorsal fin uppermost ; the fish is
then said to be dextral or sinistral, according as the eolouredl:
side is on the right» or left hand.

All the fishes of this family are very tenacious of life.

H't

Genus 1. — Hippogtossns,
Species 1. — Hippoglosms vulgaris — The Halibut.

This is a very large fish ; it is found on the coast of North
America, from Nantucket to Greenland ;. and is frequently
taken of the weight of 2001bs. Dr. Storcr mentions one of
these fish brought into Boston market, that weighed 4201bs..
after the head and bowels were removed ; and another, that
weighed upwards of GOOlbs., which was taken on a bonk, sixty
miles south east of Portland, Maine.

The halibut is very voracious ; it swims near the ground,,
and devours other flat-fish, as well as shells and Crustacea.
In summer, it is caught in shallow water, and often quite near
the shore ; in winter it retires to deep water. The flesh is
rather coarse and dry, but it is much esteemed by many ; the
fins and flaps are delicacies, if the fish is in good condition^

Of New BrunswicJc and Nova Scotia.

217

ind.

When the fishermen of the Bay of Fundy take a nnnihcr of
these fish at one time, they salt the flesh lightly, and then dry
and smoke it for winter use.

On some parts of the coast of Nova Scotia, this fish is fonnd
in such abundance, and of so large size, that the localities are
avoided by those engaged in cod-fishing, as a boat, or small
vessel, becomes soon heavy laden.

Both eyes, and the colour of the halibut, are on the right side ;
but Dr. Storer mentions, that reversed specimens are some-
times met with, and says he examined a fish of this species, in
Boston market, weighing 1031bs., with the left side coloured,
and bearing the eyes.

Species 1 .
o,

Genus 2. — Platcssa.

Platcssa plana — The common Flounder.
Platcssa prifilla — The Sand-flounder, or small dab.
3. — Platcssa '..manda — The Fleuk, or common dab.

These several species of flat-fish are found everywhere on
the coasts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia ; very likely,
other species exists, and will be hereafter noticed.

The first, or common flpunder, is from C to 18 inches in
length ; the eyes and coloured surface are on the right. The
colour is variable ; some are greenish, others slate-coloured, but
generally, rusty-brown prevails. In Boston, this fish is called
the " winter flounder," and its flesh is highly prized. In the
tide-way of the Miramichi, this fish is taken with the hook«
during winter, through holes cut in the ice.

The next species, the sand-flounder, or small dab, is a little
fish, from 4 to 6 incites in length, nearly of a uniform olive
brown ; the eyes and coloured surface on the right ; found in
shallow and sandy buys and coves. It is very abundant during
summer, on the sands to the eastward of the City of Saint
John, and is taken at low water by himdreds, in the shallow
pools of the estuary of the Marsh Creek. The shrimp-fishers
on those sands, also take them in great numbers in their
shrimp-nets.

The third species, the fleuk, or common dab, as it is called
in Scotland, also abounds. It is generally taken towards
autumn, when it approaches the shores prior to spawning.
Several of this species were taken by the writer in October,
1850, in the upper part of the Bay of Fundy, near Parrsbo-
rough ; it was found a very sweet and delicate fish, eaten fresh.
It is readily distinguished from the common flounder, by its
more uniform and lighter brown colour, its more curved lateral
line, and the greater roughness of the scaly surface. The
eyes and colour are on the right side; it is from 8 to 12 inches
in length.

Another small flat-fish was observed by the writer, at Point
Miscou, in August 1849, where it was taken in a smelt-seine.

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218

Descriptive Catalogue of Fithes

tlic smelt being used there as bnit for cod. It had several of
the characteristics of the European plaice ; but as it was cvi-
4iently the young of a larger fish, no decided opinion could be
formccl.

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Family 3. — CvcLOPTERiDiC-^The Lump-fish Family.

Genus 1. — Ltuupus — The Lump-fish.

Species 1. — Lumpus vulgaris — The common Lump-fish.

This ^sh is characterized by the ventrals being united in a
disc, or cuj)-shaped form. The body is deep and rough, with
bony tubercles ; it is soft and flaccid, resembling a lump of
jelly. By means of its cup-shaped ventrals, it adheres so firmly
to any solid substance, as to be removed with difficulty.

The lump-fish varies in length from 10 to 20 inches. It is
a native of the northern seas, being found abundantly on the
roast of Greenland. The coast of New York is the most
southern limit in which ii has yet been observed. On the
coast of Massachusetts Bay, it is frequently taken, from 31bs.
to 151bs. weight, but there it is never used as food. Dr. Storer
says the specunens taken there, are of a bluish slate-colour on
all the upper part of the body, th(; under part yellowish. The
whole appearance of this fish, he snys, is very forbidding ; the
younger specimens being a soft, gelatinous ma^s, the older,
much firmer, but both covered with firm, horny spines.

This fish has been frequently noticed in the vicinity of Grand

Manan, attached to, or immediately beneath, large masses of

floating sea-weed. Small specimens are frequently taken in

' the weirs, within the Harbour of St. John, which tlie fishermen

throw away as worthless.

In the spring, the lump-fish approaches the shores to deposit
its spawn ; it is then taken in considerable numbers near the
Harbour of Halifax, the largest weighing about five pounds.
They are taken there of two different colours ; ihe one variety
being of a dark blue, approaching to black, and the other
quite red. Those of a red colour only, are used as food ; they
are considered good by many, although very fat, and somewhat
oily. The dark-coloured .variety is considered very inferior,
and is not eaten.

Mr. Yarrell notices this difference in colour in the lump-fish,
and also in the quality of its flesh, which he says is only the
effect of season ; the fine external colour, aind the firmness of
the flesh, being lost for a time by the exhausting process of
spawning. When dark-coloured, the fishermen designate it
the " worthless blue-lump."

The North American lump-fish (or lump-suckcr as it is
sometimes termed) is considered Identical with the like fish,
eaught on the shores of Great Britain. It feeds principally on
young fish, of which it devours great quantities.

it

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. 219

Order 4. — Apodal, without ventral fins.

Family 1. — Anguillid.t: — The Eel Family.

Genus 1. — Anguilla — The Eel.

Species 1. — Anguilla vulgaris — The common Eel.

The eel inhabits both fresh an J salt water, and is taken in
every situation in these Colonies which it can reach. Its colour
is greenish olive above, yellow beneath ; this colour extending
along the base of the anal fin, nearly to the end of the tail. It
is caught in a variety of ways ; but taking the eel with hook
and line, is considered much too tedious and troublesome. In
summer, it is caught in long round Indian baskets, called eel-
pots ; it is also taken by torch-light, with the spear. In winter
it is taken through holes in the ice, by spearing it in the mud,
where it then lies torpid. The places where this fishing takes
place are generally well known, and are termed "eel-grounds."

It is very voracious, feeding on ^iquatic insects, small fishes,
and all dead animal substances that come in its way. The
structure of its branchial pouches enables it to live out of water
for a long time ; and us it can move along the ground, it is not
uncommon to find the eel shifting its quarters from one creek
or lake to another, by crawling thiough the grass.

The common eel, when in good condition, is a very excellent,
well-flavoured fish. It varies greatly in size, being taken from
6 inches to 2 feet or more in length.

Dr. DeKay says he has examined the " silver eel," so called,
and considers it only a variety of the common eel. Its general
colour is silvery gray, darker above, and a clear white belly
shining like satin.

Species 2. — Anguilla oceanica — The Sea Eel.

Dr. DeKay gives this name to a sea eel found on the coast
of New York, which the writer has also noticed in the Gulf of
Saint Lawrence. It is described as brownish on the back ;
pale on the sides ; beneath, smutty white ; fins tipped with
bluish white, or pale blue. It was first observed in June
1842, at Lennox Island in Richmond Bay, on the north side of
Prince Edward Island. The Indians had there taken several
with torch and spear, which were three feet in length. A
specimen was also shown to the writer at Pokemouche, (north
of the Miramichi,) in October 1849, by a Micmac Indian, who
had split, salted, and smoked it. In that state, without the
head, it was about the size of an ordinary smoked salmon, and
fully as thick ; it was tfikcn in Poke ouche Gully, by torch-
light, with a basse spear.

The Micmacs say, that this eel is exceedingly shy, and cannot
be induced by any means to enter an eel-pot. Those seen by

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220

Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

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th(! writ(!r vvcro oxcossivcly fat, the flesh very white, and
c,\rr('(lin«i;ly well flavoured.

The sen eel, doscrilied by Dr. DeKay, is stated to be fifty
in('h(!H in Kni^i^th, and wei<^hin^ nine pounds. It is probably
found along the whole North American coast, north of New
York.

Genus 2. — Ammodiflcs,

Species 1. — Ammodytcs Amcricanus — The American Sand-

luunce.

The usual hingth of this fish is from G to 12 inches. The
hoiid and body above, bluish brown, intermixed with silvery
and light green ; beneath this, the sides and abdomen are
silvery — the whole fish has a beautifully brilliant appearance.
It is a northern fish, but its geographical range extends ns for
soiith as New York.

It is foimd everywhere on the coasts of New Brunswick and
Nova Scotia, chiefly on beaches, under stones. At Newfound-
land, and on the coast of liabrador, the sand-Uiunce is used
largely as bait for cod. On several parts of the coast of Great
Britain and Ireland, this fish is readily eaten by the poorer
classes ; but as more palatable species are easily obtained in
America, they are allowed to collect on the shores in ' %e
quantities, to be devoured by their numerous encmio t

cuttle-fish (sepia arctica) is said to prey upon them voraciv/i.my.

GROUP II.— CARTILAGINOUS FISHES.

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Order 1. — Fishes with free gills.

Family 1. — Sturiomd^ — The Sturgeon Family.

Genus 1. — Accipenscr.

Species 1. — Accijjcnscr oxyrinchits — Sharp-nosed Sturgeon.

This fish is taken in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia from
2 to 8 feet in length. The body is pentogonal ; the skin rough ;
the head flattened above, and slightly depressed between the
eyes. The whole upper portion of the head, bony ; the head
elongated, spatuliform, and covered with strong, bony shields,
roughened above and beneath. The upper part of the body is
of a grayish brown colour ; inferior portion of the sides, silvery ;
beneath, white.

This fish ascends the River Saint John in considerable num-
bers in May, and is then often taken in the Harbour of Saint
John, of the length of six feet or more, in weirs, seines, and

Of New Brunstcick and Nova Scotia.

221

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giiBpcrcdu nets, to which lust it is very destriictivo. In the
summer, it husks on the Oromocto shoals, olmut 70 miUvs from
the sea; during very hot duys, some one of these monsters
may he seen, every few minutes, flinging its whole length into
the air, appnvently in mere wantonness, but proliahly to disen-
guge itself from the lamprey eel, which fustens upon its l>elly
and eats into the flesh. Instances have occurred of the stur-
geon having leaped into a canoe, in its cflbrts to disengage
itself from several lampreys, that had fastened upon it, at the
same time.

This fish also basks on an extensive sandy shoal to the
southward of Grand Point, in the Grand Lake, about CO miles
from the sea. The Milicetc Indians who formerly encamped
in that vicinity, were accustomed to take sturgeon, on this
shoal, after their own fashion. They used a harpoon of iron,
with two barbs, both on the same side, the one about two inches
above the other ; this was attached to a wooden handle, or pole,
of 10 or 12 feet in length. One Indian paddled the canoe, ir»
that still and noiseless manner so peculiar to the aborigineri of
North America, while another Indian stood in the bow, balanc-
ing the harpoon, and with it making signs to his fellow, as to
the management and direction of the canoe. If a sturgeon
was struck which the Indian could not lift, the wooden handle
was slipped from the harpoon, t which, however, it still remain-
ed attached, by a long thong of leather or moose skin ; the
sturgeon would then make off with the handle in tow, closely
followed by the canoe ; before the fish was killed, some very
animated struggles often took place, and not unfrequently the
canoe would be upset. Other canoes would come to the rescue ;
more Indians would be tumbled in the water, not of very great
depth; and the scuflle and splashing made by them and the
fish, with the wild shouts and whoops of the Indians, rendered
the whole an interesting and somewhat exciting scene.

The flesh of the sturgeon is like coarse beef, quite firm and
compact, but very rank and unsavoury. The Indians cut it
up in large pieces, and salt it for winter use ; it is only eaten
by those who can obtain no better fare. The flesh of a young
fish is much more delicate than that of an old one ; when stewed
with rich gravy, its flavour is not unlike that of veal.

In the north of Europe, extensive fisheries are established
for taking sturgeon. The celebrated caviare is made of the
roe of the female ; and isinglass is obtained from the dense
membrane forming the air-bladder.

The sturgeon spawns in fresh water, before leaving it in the
autumn, to return to the sea. It is said to spend the winter in
very deep water, quite beyond the reach of nets, and as it has
not been known to take a hook, is quite safe from the fishermen.
The fry of sturgeon have never been noticed in the Samt John,
and it is supposed that so soon as they escape from the eggs,
they descend immediately to the sea, and do not return until
they come again in their turn to deposit spawn.

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222 Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

Order 2. — Fishes with fixed gills.

Family 1. — Squalid.e — The Shark Family.

Genus 1. — Carckarias.

Species 1. — Carcliarias vulpcs — The Thresher Shark.

This shark is said to be common on both sides the Atlantic ;
it is known from New York northwardly, by the various popular
nam?s of the " thresher," " fox shark," and " swingle tail."
It pursues schulls of mackerel, mossbonkers, and shad, which
it devours in great n'lmbers. In pursuit of shad it is frequently
taken of largo size, both in Cumberland Bay and the Basin of
Mines, at the head of the Bay of Fundy. It sometimes attains
the length of 12 fee* ; is of a slate blue colour above ; beneath>
soiled white, marked with faint bluish spots. The first dorsa'i
fin is triangular, a foot high, and nearly as long at its base ;
the second dorsal similar in shape, but much smaller. Its
principal organ of defence, appears to be its long, broad, and
flexible tail, with which it attacks, and literally threshes its
ene'nies.

This fish is p great enemy to the small whales, in the Gulf
of Saint Lawrence. In the Bay of Chaleur, and lower part of
the River Saint Lawrence, it is often seen attacking the whales
which frequent those localities. In its attacks, it is most per-
severing ; and the whale may be often seen to spring quite out
of the water, and make the sea foam, from the torment he
endures.

Genus 2. — Selachits.
Species 1. — Selachus maximus — The Basking Shark.

This huge fish usually exceeds thirty feet in length. Its
body is cylindrical, fusiform, of a dark slate colour, the surface
with numerous wrinkles, covered with minute rharp prickles,
distributed in snail groups, producing a roughness in the
direction of the head. The teeth in the upper jaws, of various
forms, recurved, edged, but not serrated ; in the lower jaw,
seven rows, rather larger than tl,.ose above. According to Dr.
Storei , there are fourteen hundred teeth in the lower jaw alone.

The basking shark inhabits the northern seas, but occasion-
ally visits the American coast during summer, as far south as
Cape Cod. His targe size, and habit of swimming near the
surface, with his upper jaw projecting out of the water, as he
moves with open mouth, in pursuit of his prey, has, in the
opinion of Dr. DeKay, suggested to ignorant credulity the
idea of some hugh atjuatic monster, which has received the
name oS sea serpent !

In August 1851, a fish of this species was taken ojlf Mus-
quash HarVur, in the Bay of Fundy, forty feet in length.
While in pursuit of herrings, it became entangled in a string

!:6l

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

22S

of herring nets, and while so entangled, was killed after a long
and severe struggle. The tail was 7 feet 9 inches in breadth,
with a carina on each side ; the head 5 feet across ; the mouth
3 feet wide, between the angles of the jaws when opened.
The liver of this fish yielded 320 gallons of oil.

The basking shark has obtained its popular name from its
habit of remaining occasionally at the surface of the watev,
quite motionless, as if enjoying the influence of the sun's rays,
whence on the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland, it has
obtained the name of sun-fish- If deeply struck with a harpoon,
it plunges suddenly down, and swims away with such rapidity
and violence, as to become a very difficult capture. It is said
to exhibit but little of the ferocious character of the sharks in
general, and is so indifferent to the approach of a boat, as to
suffer one even to touch its body, when listlessly sunning itself
at. the surface.

This fish is considered by naturalists, the largest of the
true fishes.

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Genus 3. — Spinax,
Species 1. — Spinax acanthias — The Spinous Dog-fish.

This fish is found everywhere on the coast of North America,
from the Delav/are to Davis' Straits. It varies in length from
one to five feet ; it is of a slate colour above, dull white beneath.
The skin is used for various purposes, but chiefly by cabinet-
makers and others for bringing up and smoothing the surfaces
of hardwood. The livers furnish a valuable oil ; the fish them-
selves are often dried a? food for cattle. In Nova Scotia and
Cape Breton, it is dried in great quantities ; and in the winter
is fed to pigs, which are said to thrive well upon it.

The dog-fish, according to Dr. Storer, is so numerous about
Cape Cod, that in spring and autumn, it furnishes an impor-
tant fishery solely for its oil. It assembler in large schulls,
and feeds upon the offal and garbage thrown down by the
fishermen ; it cleans the ground so i>erfectly, that it is called
the true *' scavenger of the sea."

The dog-fish brings forth its young alive. In August 1849,
at Point Miscow, in the Gul<^ of Saint Lawrence, the writer
opened a female fish in a gravid state, and found the young
perfectly formed ; they wt e placed in the water with the sac
attached, and appeared quite lively.

Mr. Couch, an English naturalist, asserts of this species,
that it bends itself into a bow for the purpose of using its spines,
and by a sudden motion causes them to spring asunder in
opposite directions. So accurately is this intention effected,
that if a finger be placed on its head, the dog-fish will strike
it, without piercing its own skin.

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224 Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

Family 2. — RAlD^e — The Ray Family.
Genus 1. — Rata.

Species 1. — Rata hcvis — The Skate.

This fish is known on the North American coast, as ihe
smooth backed skate, and is found from 2 to 4 feet in length.
It is of square form ; the body smooth, elevated in the centre ;
of a uniform light brown colour above ; the tail long and slender,
longer than the body, with three rows of spines.

The peculiar form of the skate adapts it admirably to exist
near the bottom, and it may with more propriety be called a
flat-fish, than any of the flounder family. Its mode of progres-
sion is not very easily described ; when the fish is not alarmed,
it is performed with a slight undulating motion of its pectoral
fins, something between flying and swimming. When a skate
is making its way to seize food, or to escape from an enemy,
great muscular exertion is evident.

The young are produced in the latter part of spring, or
during summer. They are deposited by the parent fish in
thin horny cases, in form nearly squa!re ; these are often found
along the coast, and being empty, are jocularly termed '"sailors'
purses."

As food, the skate is held in very diffbrent degrees of esti-
mation in diflerent places. In London, large quantities are
consumed, and the flesh is considered delicate and well flavoured;
but on some parts of the English coast, although caught in
considerable numbers, the flesh is seldom eaten, and is used
for baiting lobster-pots. The French are great consumers of
skate ; and its flesh is used extensively both at New York and
Boston ; by many it is deemed a great delicacy. After the
fish is skinned, the fleshy part of the huge [lectoral fins, which
is beautifully white, is cut :nto long, thin slips, about an inch
wide ; these are rolled Hke ribbon, and dressed in that form.

The skate is found everywhere on the coasts of New Bruns-
wick and Nova Scotia, and is frequently taken of large siz"
with hook and line, by cod fishers. The writer, while haddoci;
fishing, in June 1848, in the Basin of Annapohs, sawj^two fine
skate caught at once, each 30 inches over, which were in prime
condition. In August 1850, while pollack fishing in 26 fa-
thoms water ofif the eastern end of Campo Bello, near Head
Harbour Light House, a skate was taken 3 feet over, weigh-
ing full 6()lbs. It was not in good condition, having probably
spawned ; from the difficulty in bringing it to the surface, for
the skate is exceedingly violent when hooked, it was supposed
to be a halibut.

Dr Storer states, that skate are sometimes met with rear
Boston, weighing 2001bs., and in his Report, he describes, a
male specimen sent to him from New Bedford, 54 inches long,
and 36 inches wide.

iUi

Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

225

With its powerful spade-like snout, the skate roots up clams,
and crushes tibem between itp flattiened teeth, which appear to
act upon each other like the cylinders of a rolling mill. It also
feeds on ciher fish, for five difiei cat species, besides Crustacea,
have been taken from the stomach of a skate. x

Species 2. — Rada erinaceus — The Hedgehog Ray,

While the writer was at anchor in Whale Cove, near the
Northern Head of Grand Manan, in August 1850, a ray was
caught, 18 inches long and 9 inches wide, which so closely
resembled the hedgehog ray described by Doctor Mitchill, that
it is believed to foe the same fish. The form was more rounded
than that of the tskate ; the surface of a pale brown colour, with
several groups of prickles arrayed in regular lines. A double
series ran aiong the \ ^rtebral line, and extended the whole
length of the tail ; on the sides of the tail, the prickles were
very stiff and stout. It was caught near the shore, in less than
two fathoms, water, with a large sized trout hook, used for
taking small pollack. When brought on deck, it rolled itself
almost into a ball, displayed its prickles, and bore very /£;reat
resemblance to a young hedgelmg ; if struck with a stick, it
lashed about its tail in all directions, and seemed bent on
defending itself to the uttermost. One of the men be' nging
to the vessel, after teasing it some time, threw it overboard,
when it swam away, although it had been a long time out of
water.

A careful examination of this genus will probably show that
several other species exist on th< coasts of New Brunswick
and Nova Scotia, besides those now mentioneU.

Order 3. — Fishes with round mouths, formed into a sucker.

Family 1. — PETROMYZONID./G — TIm) Lamprey Family.

Genus 1. — Petromyzon,

Species 1, — Pctromy2onAmericanus--The American Lamprey.

The lamprey is very common in the fresh waters of the
Lower Provinces. It ascends the Saint John in May, and
passing into the smaller streams, generally seUwti ^ those
which have stony or gravelly bottoms, it there >^ posits its
spawn, among conical heaps of stones. They have been often
seen in the summer, in pairs, at work together, constructing
these mounds, which are about three feef. in diameter at the
base, and two feet high, composed of stonos from the size of an
ounce bullet to that of the fist ; they often aid each other in
carrying the same stone.

It is not known at what time the lamprey returns to the sea,
as it always moves in the night ; but there is an impression

15

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226

Descriptive Catalogue of Fishes

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that it dies in the fresh water after spawning. This impressioir
may have arisen from the fact, that dead lampreys are often
seen in the streams toward autumn. In August 1840, the
writer, while trout fishing in the Nerepis, saw dead lampreya
along that river for miles.

Mr. J. L. Price states to the writer, that the lamprey
ascends the Miramichi, and all its principal tributaries, where
numbers are frequently found dead toward autumn. He has
often observed it, in August, evidently in a languishing condi-
tion, the head and throat greatly bloated, and the whole body
covered with a white raucous secretion. Mr. Price has re-
marked one peculiarity of this fish, which distinguishes it from
all other minor fish — ^when disturbed at the spawning season,
it will pursue the intruder, however formidable, with great
spirit, even beyond the bounds of the water.

The lamprey is usually of a bluish brown colour, mottled
with dark olive green along the back ; beneath,' a uniform dull
yellowish olive. The fore part of the body is round ; the
posterior part flattened. There are seven large branchial
apertures back of each eye, passing backward in nearly a
straight fine, the first smallest. When the lamprey is unat-
tached, the mouth is a longitudinal fissure ; but when attached,
it is circular, the lip forming a ring, furnished with hard horny
teeth of a yellow colour, within.

This fish is believed to do much damage to mill dams built
upon gravelly or sandy foundations, by working its way
beneath the dam, through the sand and gravel, and occasioning
leaks, which gradually undermine the dam and eventually lead
to its destruction.

LeSueur, a French naturafist, in describing a lamprey from
the Connecticut jtiver, says the annular or ribbed appearance
of this fish, is owing to the muscles, which are endowed with
great strength, in order to enable it to burrow in the muddy
sands of rivers, which it penetrates in a serpentine manner by
means of its snout, the large lip performing the functions of a
terrier.

The lamprey has been known to attain the length of 30
inches, with a girtii of 6 inches. The writer has never known
it to be eaten in New Brunswick, but in the United States and
elsewhere, it is held in high estimation by epicures.

U ' .

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Of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

^27

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IIST OF THE FOPUliiR NAMES OF FISHES IN THIS CATALOGUE.

I. The Perch Family.

1. The American yellow Perch.

2. The Striped Basse. : :

3. The White Perch.

4. The common Pond Fish.

II. The hard cheeked Family,
(Sculpin.)

1. The ot»mmon Bullhead.

2. The Greenland Bullhead.

3. The two-spined Stickleback.

4. The Norway Haddock.

III. The Mackerel Family.

1. The Spring Mackerel.

2. The Fall Mackerel.

3. The Tunny, or Albicore.

4. The Sword Fish.

IV. The Goby Fumily.
1. The Wolf Fish.

V. Fishes with wrists in their

pectoral fins.

1. The American Angler.

VI. The Wrasse or Rock Fish

Family.

1. The Sea Perch, or Cunner.

2. The Tautog, or Biack-fish.

VII. The Carp Family.

1. The common Sucker.

2. The yellow Shiner.

3. The Roach, or Red-fin.

4. The Roach Dace.

5. The shining Dace, or Shiner.

6. The Chub. , j^

7. The Brook Minnow. ' ..

8. The striped Killifish.

VIII. The She^fish Family.
1. The common Cfit-fish.

IX. The Salmon Family.

1. The Brook Trout.

2. The Great Grey Trout.

3. The Salmon Trout, (White
Sea Trout.)

4. The Salmon.

5. The Smelt.

6. The Capelin.

7. The White Fish, (Gizzard

Fish.)

X. The Herring Family.

1. The common American
Herring.

2. The Britt.

3. The Shad.

4. The Alewive, or Gaspereau.

5. The Mossbonker.

6. The Shad Herring.

XI. The Cod Family.

1. The Bank Cod.

2. The American Cod.

3. The Tomcod.

4. The Haddock.

5. The Hake.

6. The Silver Hake.

7. The Pollack.

8. The Torsk, or Cusk.

9. The Fresh Water Cusk.

XII. The Flat-fish Family.

1. The Halibut.

2. The common Flounder.

3. The Sand Flounder.

4. TheFleuk. ;

XIU. The Lump-fish Family.
1. The Lump-fish. ; . ,

, XIV. The Eel Family.

1. The common EeL

2. The Sea Eel.

3. The American Sand-launce.

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Descriptive Catdtogm of Fiihet, fye.

XVII. The Ray Family.

1. The Skate.

2. The Hedge-Hog Ray.

XVIII. The Lamprey Family,
1. Th6 Lamprey.

228

XV. The Sturgeon Family.
1. The sharp nosed Sturgeon.
XVI. The Shark Family.

1. The Thresher Shark.

2. The Basking Shark.

3. The Dog-fish.

In all, eighteen famflieg, comprising forty genera, and sixty

two species of fish.

LIST OP Works consulted.

In preparing the foregoing Catalogue, the classification of
Baron Cuvier has been followed, as that generally adopted in
the present day by the most eminent natnraKste and men of
science, and best understood.

The following is a list of the various works consulted, to
each of which the writer is under greater or less obligation : —

Regne Animal, par M. le Baron Cuvier ; translated ivith sup-
plementary additions to the«class Fishes, by Edward Griffith,
F.R.A., and Lt. Col. C. Hamilton Smith.

Histoire Natufelle des Poisiong, par Cuvier, et Valenciennes,
Tom. 21.

History of British Fishes, and Supplement, by Wm. Yarrell.

Fauna Boreali Americana, or Zoology of the northern parts
of America, by Dr. Richardson.

Report on the Fishes of New York, by Dr. J. E. DeKay.

Report on the Fishes of Massachusetts, by Dr. D. H. Storer.

Synopsis of the Fishes of North America, by Dr. D. H. Storer,

Observations on the Fi^ee of Nova Scotia and Labrador, by

Horatio Robinson Storer-— in the Boston Journal of Natural

History for October 1850.
Fish and Fighing in the United States, and British Provinces

of North America, by Henry W. Herbert, (Frank Forrester.)
The Deep Sea andf Coast Fisheries of Ireland, by W. Br»bazon.
Parliamentary Reports of the Board of British Fisfaeries, from

1843 to 1850, inclusive.

The writer Oftrileatly requests, that this attempt to classify
and describe the Fishes of Ndw Brunswick and Nova Sootia,
may be viewed with every indulgence, as the work of one who
does not |)Tofe88 tolie a natajralisty t(.u1i sin^y an'oecal^ioiial
observer of rifitdfe. , .

M. H. PERLEY.

Government Emigration Office,

St. John, N, B., January, 1852.

APPENDIX.

( i

( No. 1, )

Copy of Letter from M. H. Perley, Esq., Her Majesty's Emigration Officer, to
the Provincial Secretary, with first Report on tlw Fisheries of the Gulf of
Saint Lavrr«nce, in March 1849.

G<*VIUIMNKNT EmIORATION OffICB,

Si. John, N. B. March 5, 1849.

Sir, — The Instructions of the Provincial Secretary, dated 26th October, 1 846,
with reference to certain inquiries to be prosecuted by me, in connection with the
Sarvey, by Her Majesty's Government, of aline for a Trunk Railway from Hali-
fax to Quebec, directed me to ascertain what encouragement the proposed Trunk
Line, or its Branches, would give to the Fisheries, and the facilities for prosecu<
ting them in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, and on the coast of Labrador ; and I
was also directed to furnish, some account of the description and value of the
Sea and River Fisheries, in the several. Counties which might be traversed by the
Trunk Line of Railway, or any of its principal BrauclKs.

The Oommissioaers for the Survey of the proposed Trunk Line having pre-
eented their Report, and pointed out a very favourable route for the construction
of this great National Railway, along the Eastern Shores of New Brunswick,
bordering on the Gulf of Saint Lawrence; and the route for a very important
Branch of such Trunk Line, from Shediac to Saint John, having been surveyed
during the past season, I am now enabled to submit th^ annexed Report on the
Fisheries of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

This Report is presented with great deference, and with the hope tliatit will be
viewed, not as furnishing futl and perfect information, but simply as stating cer-
tain facts which may serve as the basis for more extensive inquiry.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your very obedient servant,

M. H. PERLEY,
H. M. Emigration Officer.
The Hon. Jokn R. Partduw, Provincial Secretary, Ice. inc. &c.

( No. 2. )

Copy of Instructions from the Provincial Secretary, to M. H. Perley, Esquire,
relative to the Fislieri.. of New Brunswick, within the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.

Secretarips Office, Frederieton, 3rf Augtut, 1849.

Sir, — ^Tbe Lieutenant Governor in Council, having determined upon prose-
outing certain inquiries, respecting the fisheries, on the Gulf shore of this Pro-
vince; His Excellency has been pleaaed to appoiiit you to pxecote that service,
and to direct the foUoWing instructions to be communicated to you, for your
guidance therein, viz : —

1st. To ascertain the numbers of the fishornsen now engaged in the Gulf
fisheries, distinguishing those who are fishermen exclusively, from tliose who
only fish occasionally— or who combine fishing with agricultural pursuits ; and
also to enumerate, as near as may be, the boats and vessels in tfaes^ fisheries.

£nd. To ascertain distinctly, the pvetent modes of eonduetiog the several
fisheries for herring, cod, and mackerel, with a description of the several aorta
of nets, lines, and other tackle employed, in order to know what im^ovemeufai
snaj be advantageously introduced.

' I i
1 1 •

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Pi

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230

Appendilr.

No 3

3rd. To inquire iiito existing modes of curing and packfng tfie several
descriptions of fish, with the view of ascertaining what defects exist in these
important particulars.

4th. To ascertain the most «ligiblie stations on the coast, for the successful
prosecution of the various fisheries, in order to the establishment, at such
stations, of duly qualified Inspectors of all descriptions of fish iutended for expor-
tation ; and al«o of persons from abroad, competent to instruct the resident
fishermen in the best and most improved modes of fishing, and of curing, and
packing each description of fish, won which the v.Jue of the article so greatly
depends in every market. ;

5th. To inquire as to the proper season for each ftdhery, m order to prevent
the ciitch of fish at times when they are of no real value ; also, to ascertain the
extent to which the fisheries, in the Bay of Chaleur, are injured, as is alleged, by
the great destruction of capelin and herring tw manure, in order, that if advisable,
measures may be adopted, for preventing furthtr injury to the herring and cod
fisheries in that Bay, now said to be threatened with total annihilation.

6th. To acquire all iucfdental information as to the Gulf Fisheries, which may
be interesting or important ; and especially to ascertain the extent to which they are
prosecuted by foreigners on the shores of New Brunswick, and whether they
make any, and what, encroachments.

, 7th. The destrstfiion of fish in rivers, and the injury to the salmon fishery by-
mill dams, by illegal modes of fishing, and by the destruction of salmon out oF
season^ will form an important branch of inquiry.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your most obedient servant,

(Signed) J. B. Partblow..

M. at. Perlev, £aquire, Saint John.

!

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( No. 3. )

Copy of Letter from M. H. Perley, Esq., to the Provincial Secretary, with second
Report, on the Sea and River Fisheries ef the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, in
January 1850;

Government Emigration Office,

St. John, N. B. January 22, 1859.

Sir, — In obedience to the instructions contained in your letter of 3rd August
last, I proceeded, immediately on its receipt, to execute the duties therein design
np*ed.

A Circular letter, asking information as to the Fisheries of the Gulf Shore,
was prepared and printed for distribution, u copy of which is annexed.

I left this City on the 12th of August last, accompanied by one of my sous,
and proceeded directly to Miramichi, by Shediac and Riefaibucto.

At Chatham, I engaged two canoes, andthree Indiieras, and proceeded to the
northward, visiting evr^ry Island, River, Creek, Cove-, Gully, Harbour, and
Fishing Station, from Miramichi, along the Coast, to Shippagan ; thence, around
the Islands of Shippagan and Miscou, to Caraquet Bay, firom whence I coasted
the souibern shore of the Bay of Cbalenr, to Bathurst. Leaving the sea-going
canoes at Bathurst, ( hired a light river c»noe, with a resident Indiau as pilot,
and ascended the Nepisiquit River to the Grand Falls, where I rested one night.
Qn my return to Bathurst, I resumed the sea-going canoes, and proceeded up
the Bay to Dalhousie, examining the Coast and Fishing Stations, and the Jacqaet
River, by the way.

From Dalhousie, I went by land 'o Athol House, at the head of ship naviga^
tion on the Restigonche^ and on my return to Dalhousie, \ proceeded, in the-
canoes, down the northern, or Gaspe, side of the Bay of Cbaleur, sixty miles, to
Paspebiac. From that place, I crossed the Bay of Chaleur, in Messrs. Le Bou^^
tillier's yacht, with the canoes on board, to Little Shippagan, from whence I mad*
the best of my way to Newcastle, on the Miramichi, where 1 arrived on the 29tlk
September.

I i ■ '• r. I

m^

No, 4

Jppendix.

231

The season being far advanced, and strong easterly gales having set in, the
Coast south of the Miramichi could not be visited by water, and I therefore
proceeded along that Coast by land to Shediac ; from thence I retunned to Saint
J«bn, where I arrived on the 8th of October.

The distance performed in the canoes was nearly five hundred miles ; the
whole journey was abeut nine hundred miles.

1 have now the honor to present the accompanying Report, as the result of
t1ie information obtained on this tour of duty, with such other information, in
relation to the subject, as is interesting or important.

I crave leave to refer to my Report on the Fisheries of the Oulfof Saint Law-
rence, prespnted to the House of Assembly on the 8th March last, which 1 beg
may be taken as part of the present Report, in order to its being more clearly
understood.

It only re^pains for me to add, that myself and my son were everywhere recei-
ved with the greatest kindness find attention, and ewry fuciHty afforded us for
obtaining information ; and I should be excee<1ingly ungrateful, if I did not pub-
licly acknowledge the exceeding hospitality extended to us, at every place
throughout our entire journey.

1 have the honor to be, Sir,

Your very obedient servant,

M. U. PERLEY.
The Honorable John R. Prfrtelow, Provincial Secretary^

( No. 4. )

Copy of Circilar oeking information as to tlie Gulf Fii^herKS, annexed to the

foregoing Letter.

GovernmeiU Emigration Office,
Saint John^ N. B., lOlh Jvgust, 184<).

Mr. M. H. Perlcy having been appointed by His Excellency the Lieutenant
'Governor, in Council, to prosecute certain inquiries respecting the Fisheries on
"the Oulf Shore of this Province, is desirous of obtaiifing information on the
following points, to Vhich among others, his attention has been specially
directed-; —

1. As to the present modes of conducting the fislieries ffor herring, cod, and
mackerel — with a description of the nets, lines, and other tackle now employed,
in order to know if -any, and what, improvements may be introduced.

2. As to the modes now in use, of curing and packing the several descriptions
of fish, with the view of ascertaining if any, and what, defects exist in these
important particulars.

3. As to the proper season for each fishery.; and whether fish are now caught
at times when they are of no real value.

4. As to the extent to which the fisheries in the Bay of Chaleur are injured,
«8 is alleged, by the taking of herring and capelin for mani:re.

5. A« to the extent to which the fisheries, of the Gulf Shore of the Province
are prosecuted by foreigners, and whether they make any, and what, encroach-
ments.

•

6. As to the destruction of fish in rivers, by illegal modes of fishing— as to
'various sorts of fish, (especially salmon) being prevented ascending to the usual
spawning grounds, by mill dams, or other obstructions — and as to their being
«aught out-of«ea«on, and when spawning — withihe best information that can be
procured, as to the decrease of the fisheries, in each of the rivers flowing into the
Gulf, or Bay of Chaleur, from these, or other causes.

Mr. Perley respectfully requests all persons who feel an interest in the fish-
/cries ofihe Gulf, to furnish him witk whatever information they possess, with
reference to the foregoing inquiries, or which may be interesting, or important,
as regards the fisheries generally. Any observation as to existing nuisances, or
obstructions, tu the sea or river fisheries, and the me&ns of remedying or remov'
ing theiti, will be gladly received.

I i

232

jippfineKif.

Nov 5, 6

As it is exteneTj Jesiraftle that the mont full and aeonrate iaibrmation sbould
be obtained, in order that meaiiBrea of real atility may be adopted to adVanm the
fisheries, k is hoped that aU residents on the Gulf shore, and within the Bay of
Chalenr, will eheerfully aid in a work ealcalated to advance the general pros-
perity.

It is Mr. Perley's iutentioa to visit persoiMlly every part of the eoask men-^
tioned, and eolleet ioformation on the »pot i but all commnnieatioos to him oa
the subject, until 2f>th September, may be addressed to the ear« of Edward
WilKston, Esq.uire, Newcastle, Mirami^hi ; and after that date,, to the 6ot«td>
ment Emifprotiua Office, StMU John.

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{ No. 5. )

The Petition of the Settlers at Miscotr^ *

To Sir Edmund Head, Baronet, LieiUenant Governor mtd Coirvmanderin Chief
of the Province of ISew Brunswick, S^c. Sft. Sfc.
The Petition of Oeorge S«vret^ and otherty on behalf nf the Settlers at Miscoa,
Hombly Sheweth —

That yowr Petitioners are British subjects resident on Miseou ; that they
have all large families, and support themselves by fishing and farming ',. that
they have made small houses, in which they reside, and they pray, that they may
have grants or licences of occupation for the land they occupy, and privilege of
the beaches in front of their lots. These few year» back, the vacant marshe*
and beaches were sold at anction for a few shilling!*) and the buyer charged a>
poor lishemiaD lOs. per ton for marsh hay, and 58^ per too for beach grass,,
standing ; the beach grass is hardly worth mowing ou account of the sand m
or about it.-

And as in daty boond will ever pray.

Creorge Sevret,.

hift
FHer X 8evpet„
marie
bis
William X Ward„

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KicbardX Flaw,.

nark
Joseph Ward,.

hi*

Jt>hn X BBrns,.

nark

his

JvmesX Ward,.

mack

Michael X Ward,.
mark
his
Peter X Dnpuit,.
mark

John Vibert,
Pierre Beaeaw,
George BVown,
Francis Bezeaa,
Chrysostom CheseaOy
lames Ward, Jp>

(5

I St

of Shippegan, respecting the

f No. 6. )

Copy of Letter from Xehn Dorao, Esquire,. J . Ph

Sea Fisheriee.

Shippagany 'i'M August, \M9^

Sir,— T have had great satrsfacHon m perasing your Gireuiar Letter, askings
mibrmation as to the fisheries in this District, and within the Bay of Chaleur ;.
and I beg to communicate to yoa the following observations i—

In reply to your first inquiry, I can state, that herring, mackerel, and eod,.
are generally abandant, both on the gulf shore and within the Bay. For some-
years past, the herring fishery, n the spring, has not been so good as formerly^
which was attributed to the want of some regulations when the herring came iu ;
the fish are not allowed their proper time for spawning. When fish, of any kind^
are disttirbed while spawnings they genetaU; leave the glonndy, and seek somft-

No. 6

Appendix.

233

other ipot where they can find rest. The present year, the herring c^ine iu
great adandance, and remained on the different spawning grounds nearly three
weeks, which was unprecedented ; had there been a market for them, they could
have been turned to good account.

The cod fishing could he made a source of wealth, as in my opinion, it is
inexhaustible ; there is no danger of taking too many fish. Formerly, the cod
were principally taken in the early part ol the summer, when the capelin struck
in ; but of late years, the capelin have not appeared on these shores, which is
attributed to their being seined, and used for manure. If capitalists would turn
their attention to the cod fishing on this coast, they would find it a safe and profi-
table investment. This year, the catch has been abundant, owing to the large
qaantities of mack^orel in the Gulf, so (hat the fishermen had an abundance
of bait.

The house of Charles Robin & Co. have brought the cod fishing to the height
of perfection ; by their care, industry, anjjujicious management, the partners
have made princely fortunes. The principals uf all the fishing establishments
in the Bay of Ghaleur, have been trained at their school ; they have all done
well, and are making money.- Some ^f our youths, of respectability and educa-
tion, should be sent to these establishments, to be trained, so as to be fitted to
take charge of similar establishments. At the Jersey establishments, the young
men are trained both to the shore and to the sea ; they remain on shore at the
*' rooms" during the summer, and in the winter, they go in the vessels, with
the fish, to the Mediterranean, and become acquainted with the Spanish and
Italian markets. When out of their time, they can take their choice, either to
remain on shore, or go as roaster of one of the vessels. This sort of training is
the first step towards establishing a f\shing station.

In the next place, the station must be provided with a sufficient number of
good boats, and a complete outfit of everything required for the fishery ; nothing
should be out of order, or wanting, or else there will be disappointment, and
loss will ensue. A good take of fish is the next thing, as regards the profits ;
but the heading, spliting, salting, and curing, are all essential matters, to which
great attention must be paid, as also to the state of the weather. When there
are several hundred quintals on hand, a large number of persons must be
employed, and this must be done with great regard to economy. Care must be
taken that the work goes on in a regular and uniform manner, at the smallest
ou^ay for wages ; and that the fish arc not wasted, or so carelessly managed,
or^andled, as to become only second quality, instead of merchantable. The
profits consist in making the fish all of the first quality, which are worth 16s.
per quintal, when the second quality are only worth from 8s. to 10s. per quintal.
At this time, the second quality oi cod can scarcely find a market anywhere,
while the first quality are worth 1 .5s. sterling per quintal in the Spanish markets.
I believe no improvement could be made on Messrs. Robin's mode of conduct-
ing the cod fishery.

Our fishing boats are all whale built, from 23 to 26 feet keel ; they have two
masts, and now, generally carry a jib. At each fishing establishment it is
necessary to have a sufficient supply oflarge and small cordage, blocks, anchors,
grapnels, hooks, nets, lines of all lengths, kinds and sizes, always on hand ; and
also provisions, such as best mess pork, flour, bread, corn meal, oatmeal, peas,
rice, sugar, and molasses, — together with manufactured goods of all kinds,
ready made clothing ; and last, not least, a stock of salt sufficiently large lor
any emergency.

If a partnership, or company, should be formed for prosecuting the cod fishery,
they ought to own several first class vessels, from 100 to 120 tons burthen. It
must be understood, that in this fishery, a small business will not answer. The
sea around us is a mine of wealth, but from want of enterprise and capital, we
are just wasting our lifetime in useless drudgery. If the i;od fishery could be
established here, upon a large scale, it would open out all the agricultural
resources of this part of the Province, for the farmers and fishermen agree well,
and assist each other. When a farmer on the coast can fit out a boat himself,
and find a ready market for his fish, he can carry on the fishing between seed
time and harvest, and soon become independent. He can compost to any extent,
as you will have observed, by decomposing the cods' heads and ottier offal with
lime, or plaister of Paris ; and this manure is as good as the best guano, and
will produce equally good crops.

^

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234

Appendix.

No. 7

I ^1'

or the mackerel flithery we kuow nothing at all. All the mackerel taken are
ufed for bnif , and such ia the careleMnesa of our fishermen, that they scarcely salt
n barrel to each boat, for their own uie. All the information I have, is from
henrnay ; but as far as I can learn, th(> Americans must find it a profitable
bu«ines8. We want our youths instructed in the mode of catching and curing,
and then this business might be brought into right operation. There is one
thing certain — if it pnys the Americans, it ought to pay us, who have the fish at
our own doors.

As soon as the fleet of American fishing vee>seU arrive, they begin to draw the
shoals of mackerel around them, and then, our own fishermen cannot get any
for bait. This year, four American vessels have fished off Grand Ancc; as
Hoon as tlipy had baited the fish, and commenced jigging them, our fishermen
could not get a mackerel, but were obliged to »ait for bait, until the Americans
had filled their vessels.

As to your fourth inquiry, I think that a law should be enacted to prevent all
persons from using any kind of fish for manure.

T must not omit to mention the cod oil, which pays well ; on an average, it
adds about eighteen pence per quintal to the value of the fish, which will overpay
the salt. Your obedient servant,

John Doran.
M. H. Perley, Enquire.

f!

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( No. 7. )

Rulea and Orders respecting the Salmon Fishery, in the County of Gloucester,
Gi.oiK'KSTER, BS. — July Sessjons, 1848.

At a General Sessions of the Peace, held at the Court House in Bathurst, in
the said County, on the first Tuesday in July, in the twelfth year of the Reign
of Queen Victoria, and in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and forty eight, —

Tt was Ordered, That from and after the end of the present SesKions, all rules
and orders heretofore, at any time, made by the Court of General Sessions of
the Peace of thi-; County, for the regulation of the salmon fisheries within the
same, be cancelled and rescinded ; and that, thenceforth, the following rules and
orders be deemed and taken to be the rules and orders regulating the salMkm
fisheries in the said County ; saving nevertheless, all penalties already incurred :

Ordered, That the salmon fishery, with nets, shall terminate on the first day
of August iu each year ; and that oo nets shall, on any pretence, be allowed to
remain set alter that time, under the penalty of five pounds each day.

Second. — Ordered, That no net shall be set or used for the catch of salmon
within the harbour of Bathurst, on any middle ground, or flat, or in any channel
between .Mr. Read's Mills and the Points, or between Mr. Cunard's wharf and
the Points, or in part of the Tatagouche or Middle Rivers ; nor shall any net
be set or used in any part of the Big Nepisiquit River, above John Swanton
Bateman's brook, under a penalty not to exceed five pounds per day.

Third. — Ordered, That all nets shall be set from the shores or hanks of the
said river, and that no net shall be set on, or from, any middle ground, under
the like penalty.

Fourth.— Ordered, That nets set in the Big Nepisiquit River, on either sido,
within three hundred yards, up stream, of the southern extremity of the middle
ground, shall extend no further into the river, than a distance equal to one
third the breadth of the northern or southern channel, according to the side of
said river on which the said net may be set ; and that no net shall extend
farther into the said river, than one third the breadth of the channel, into which
the said net may be set, under the like penalty.

Fifth. — Ordered, That no salmon net shall be used of less than five and a
half inches mesh, under the like penalty.

Sixth. — Ordered, That all salmon nets shall have the name of the owner
legibly marked, branded, or scribed on three or four pieces of wood or metal
attached to the same, and that such marks shall be preserved on the said net
during the fishing season, under a penalty of two pounds per day.

No. 7

Appendix.

235

Eighth.— Ordered, That before any net ihall he set, the owner or oivneri^,
person or pprsoiia intereited in Jthe Hame, iihall cnuie n tnemoranduui, petting
forth the name of the party interested, and the length of sach net, with the
particular location, where the same is intended to be used, to be f\led in the
ntllne of the Clerk of the Peace ; and that the said Clerk Hhall thereupon
forthwith notify the Overseers of the Fisheries, or some of them, of the fact of
such net having been registered, for the guidance of luoh overseer ; ond that
any net set befure such registry, shall be deemed and taken to be illegally net,
and shall subject the owner to a penalty of two pounds per day, for every day
such net shall have been so set.

Ninth. — Ordered, Tl>at nl' net pickets shall be removed from the river by the
sixth day of August in each year, under a penalty, against the proprietor oi the
net, for the use of which such pickets had been driven, of two poumls per day.

And whereas great injury t(. tho fisheries hath been perpetrated by 'he prac-
tice of spearing salmon in, or in the neighbourhood of, their spawning places ;

Tenth. — Ordered, That no salmon shall be speared in nny part of the Middle
River, or the Tatagouche River, or in the Big Nepisiquit River, above the tide
way, or in any of its branches, under a penalty of one pound for each fish so
speared ; and if any person shall, directly or indirectly, buy, purchase, or barter
for, or have in his or their possession, nny salmon, so unlawfully speared, he or
she shall be liable to a fine o( one pound lor each fish, one half to the informer
and the other half to the poor of the Parish ; and all such fish shall be liable to
be seized, confiscated, and sold by the Overseers of the Fisheries, and the pro-
ceeds appropriated in the same manner, as nets unlawfully set may be seized and
sold as hereinafter mentioned.

Eleventh.— Ordered, That if any net or nets shall be found set, or in the act
of being used, contrary to these regulations, or any of them, it shall be the duty
of the Overseers of the Fisheries, or any of them, forthwith to seize, take, and
carry a vay the same, and deposit it in a place of safety, and if such net be not
claimed by the owner or party interested, and the penalty incurred paid within
five days after such seizure, the same i' all be publicly advertised for sale, and
sold after three days, by public auction, and the proceeds, after deducting the
costs and charges of seizing, keeping, and sale, shall be appropriated, one half
to the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish, for the use of the poor, and the
other half to the Overseers of the Fisheries who may have seized and sold the
said net.

Twellth. — Ordered, That these Rules and Orders shall be in addition to all
the provisions of the Acts of the General Assembly now in force, regulating
Salmon Fisheries in the County of Gloucester, and all and every penalty herein
and hereby imposed, shall and may be recovered before any Justice of the
Peace of the said County, on the oath of one or more credible witness or wit-
nesses ; and in default of payment of the said penalty, with costs, such Justice
of the Peace hhuU commit the offender to close confinement in the common gaol,
for Fuch space of time, not exceeding twenty days, as he may see fit, according
to (iie anthority of the Act of' the General Assembly in such c&se made and
provided.

Thirteenth. — Ordered, That the Clerk of the Peace shall cause these Rules
and Orders to be forthwith published, and shall procure one hundred copies of the
same, to be printed, together with such extracts from the Acts of the General
Assembly, regulating Fisheries in the County of Gloucester, as may be necessary
for the guidance of the Overseers of the Fisheries, and the information of the
public.

By order of the Court. Willum End,

CUrk of the Peace and Sessions.

By the second Section of the Act 3 W. 4, cap. 27, It is enacted, That any
person who shall set any net or other device across any River, Cove, or Creek,
in the County ol Gloucester, to injure the natural course of the Salmon iu any
place where they nsaally go, shall, on due conviction, on the oath of one or
more witness or witnesses before two Justices, forfeit and pay the sum of tea
pounds for the first offence, twenty pounds for the second offence, and fifty
poands for the third and every subsequent offence.

^

236

Appendix.

No. 8

n ■"

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UCu

The third Section of the same Act, imposes a peaoUy often poonds for using
a drift net, with forty diiys imprisonment.

Thp tenth Section of the same Act, requires the Overseers of the Fisheries,
iuiuiediately on the commencement of the finhing season, as oftsn as they or
any of them shall deem necessary, or upon information given, to examine the
Rivers, Coves and Creeks, aim if the Law, or the Role« and Orders made in
obedience to it, is found to he in any wise contravened, to take immediate mea-
sures for preventing the same and prosecuting the offender.

The eleventh Section, i.aposes a fine of ten pounds on the Overseer of the
Fisheries, for every neglect of duty.

The thirteenth Section empowers the Justices to compensate the Overseers,
for their service?, out of the pro<*eeds of penalties and forfeitures, or from the
County Treasury.

M

( No. 8. )

County of Bonavkntubb.
Municipality, Second Division.

At the second quarterly meeting of the Municipal Council, Second Division
Muni(;k,)ality, County of Bouaventure, held on Monday, March 13, 1848, at
New Richmond, within the said Municipality,

A majority of the Couucilloro being present, and after a number of Resolu-
tions were gone through, the following rules and regulations were vnanimously
agreed upon and passed : —

1st. That each Circus Company, showman, or exhibitor of wild beasts, coming
into this Municipality, shall pay to the Secretary Treasurer, for the use of the
Municipality, the duty of five pounds, under the penalty mentioned in the Act
10 and 11 Vic. cap 7> on contravention thereof.

2nd. That each and every wholesale and retail trader, within this Munici-
pality, shall take out a licence for keeping his or her store or shop, for the sale
of any goods (excepting spirituous liquors) and shall pay the same to the
Secretary Treasurer, for the use of the Municipality, at the prices .fixed by this
Council.

3rd. That tavern keepers, and all other person or persons within this Munici-
pality, selling and J iling in spirituous liquors, shall take out licence for the
sale of the same, at the rates fixed by this Council ; and that no trader, tavern
keeper, or per&on or persons, shall sell or trade within this Municipality, with-
out puch licence, under the penalty mentioned in the Act above cited.

4th. That all licences will commence and be renewed on the first day of
April, in each and every year, and that all persons are hereby required to take
out the same, before the first day of April next.

5th. That each and every person or persons, so taking out licence, shall in
addition to the priees fixed for the same, pay .a fee of five shillings for each
licence to the Secretary Treasurer, who upon receiving the amount of licence
money and fee, shall deliver to the party paying the same, his or her licence,
signed by the Mayor, and countersigned by the said Secretary Treasurer.

6th. That each and every ferryman within this M unicipality, shall take out
his licence before the first day of April next, and in addition to the prices fixed
for such licence, shall pay to the Secretary Treasurer, the sum of five shillings,
and shall give good and sufficient security, that the rules and regulations, made
by this Council, will be faithfully complied with. No person shall act as fer-
ryman within this Munic'pa'»ty without licence, under the penalty of the law.

7th. That so much of a bye-law, 7<^ssed by the late Municipal Council of the
Township of Maria, on the I9th July, 1845, for the preservation of the salmon ,
fisheries, on the Cascapediao River, and along the shore of the said Township of
Maria, and other local fisheries, shall be applicable to, and extend to the Township
of New Richmond, Carleton, and Nouvelle, and also to the River Restigouche,
within this Municipality, with the following amendment, viz :— That no person
shall set any salmon net on the Restigoucho River, below the islands, above
the length of one hundred and fiftj tdthoms, bar net ; that from the foot of the

M':

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No. 9, 10

Appendix.

237

islancis upwards, on each particular branch of the River Restigouche, within
this Municipality — one third of the deepest water to be left open. No drifting
for salnnon allowed.

Stb. That the Secretary Treasorer do furnish the respective Overseers of
fisheries with a copy of the said bye 'laws and amendment.
• 9th. That the Secretary Treasurer do cause the foregoing rules and regula-
tions to be published in tue Gaspe Gazette,

Joseph Mbaohkr, Mat/or.

Wm, Harvky, -Secy. Treastirer.
March 31, 1848.

( No. 9. )

Statement of the tonnage and men employed in the Bank or Cod Fishery of the
United States, the product of the same, and the amount of allowances paid to
the owners of vessels engaged in the fisheries, during the year ending 30th
June, 1848:—

Number. Tonnage. Men.
Vessels 1.597 86,069 8,495

Codfish, .. .. .. .. .. .. cwt. 558,640

Fish Oil gallons, 165,210

Tongues and Sounds, . . . . barrels, 607

Halibut, Hake, and Pollack, . . cwt. 44,933

Boys.

484

value $1,566,919

<i

73,654

ti

3,370

II

99,491

Total,

$1,743,434

Amount of allowances paid.

Treasury Departm-ent, fTashington,
30th October, 1849.

$243,432.

Alt.gn a. Haiu

( No. 10. )

«
Statement of the quantity of Pickled Fish exported from the United States,
the bounty paid on exportation, and the amount of allowances paid to the
owners of vessels, employed in the Bank or Cod Fishery, from 1843 to 1848,
inclusive : —

PiCKi.ED Fish bxportbo.

Allowances to
Fishing Vessels.

Ybam.

Barrels.

Rate
per barrel.

Bounty.

Total bounty
and allowances.

1843
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848

17.^75
33,318
20,871

27,703

32,441
29,915

2U cents,
t(

11

((

(t

2| cents.

$3,515
6,663
4,174
5,641

6,488
748

$169,932
249,074
289,840
274,942
276,429
243,432

$173,247
255,737
294,014
280,483
282,917
244,180

Treasury Jyepartment, Washington,
Citober 30, 1849.

AtliBN A. llXhh.

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238

Appendix.
(No. 11. )

No. 11,12

Exhibit of tbe quantity and value of foreign caught fish, imported into the
United States, during the years 1829, 1832, 1838, 1843, and 1848, and the
amount of Duty which accrued on the same, at the rates levied at each period :

OS
<

u

Cried Fish. Salmon.

Mackerel.

Alloth£r Fish.

Total
Duties.

No.

Cwt.

Outieii. Brh.

Duties.

Brls.

Duties.

Brig.

Duties.

Total
value.

1
2
3
4
5

1829
1832
1838
1843
1848

462
1,359
2,015

188
51,826

$462

1.359

2,015

188

25.560

999
2.104
3,790
2,640
7.630

$1,998
4,208
7.580
5,280

16,189

95

32

182

12,733

122,594

$143

48

273

19,100

107,026

122

264

3,521

1,391

23,344

$122

264

3,521

1,391

14,355

$2,725

5,879

13,389

25,959

163,130

$16,896
28,584
93,272
91,613

815,645

No, 1, Under the Tariff of 1816, Dried Fish paid #1.00 per cwt.

2, •• " •* Salmon, " 2.00 per barrel.

3, " «' 1832, Mackerel, •« 1.50 "

4, •« " 1842, all other, " 1.00 "

5, " " 1846. all Fish, " 20percent.flrf-fa/o;-c;n.

Treasury Department, Trashinglon, 30<A October , 1849.

Allen A. Hall.

4(

(No. J2. )

Extract from the Convention between His Britannic Majesty and the United
States of America, signed at London, 20th October, 1818.

Art. 1 . Whereas differences have arisen respecting the liberty claimed by
tbe United States for the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry, and cure fish, on
certain coasts, bays, harbours and creeks, of His Britannic Majesty's Dominions
in America, it is agreed between the high contracting parties, that the inhabi-
tants of the said United States shall have, for ever, in common with the subjects
of His Britannic Majesty, the liberty to lake fish of every kind, on that part of
the southern coast of Newfoundland, which extends from Cape Ray to the
Rameau Islands ; on the western and northern coast of Newfoundland, from the
eaid Cape Ray to the Quirpon Islands ; on the shores of the Magdalen Islands ;
from "Nfount Jely, on the southern coast of Labrador, to and through the Straits
of Bellisle, and thence northwardly, indefinitely, along the coast, without preju^
dice, however, to any of the exclusive rights of the Hudson Bay Company : And
that the American fishermen shall also have liberty, for ever, to dry and cure
fish in any of the unsettled bays, harbours, and creeks of the southern part of
Newfoundland, hcreabove described, and of the coast of Labrador ; but so soon
as the sam^, or any portici thereof, shall be settled, it shall not be lawful for the
.<)aid fishermen to 'Jlry or cure fish at such portion so settled, without previous
apreement for such purpose with the inhabitants, proprietors, or possessors of
the ground : And the United States hereby renounce, for ever, any liberty
he.'etofore enjoyeO or claimed by the inhabitants thereof, to take, dry, or cure
fish, in or within, three marine miles of any of the coasts, bays, creeks, or
harbours of His Britannic Majesty's Dominions in America, not included
within the above mentioned limits ; provided however, that the American fisher^
men shall be admitted to enter such bays or harbours, for the purpose of shelter,
and of repairing damages therein, of purchasing wood, and of obtaining water,
and for no other purpose whatever: But they shall be under such restrictions as
may be necessary to prevent their taking, drying, or coring fish therein, or in
any manner whatsoever abusing the privileges hereby reserved to them.

! 5 m -

No. 13

Appendix.

239

( No. 13. )

Opinion of the Queen's Advocate General, and Her Majesty's Attovney General
of England, upon a case submitted by the Assembly of Nova Scotia, as to
the construction of the (convention of 1818, relative to the fisheries : —

Doctors' Commons, ZQlh August, \%\\.
Mv Lord, — We are honored with your Lordship's commands, signified in
Mr. Backhouue's letter of the 26th March, stating that he was directed to trans-
mit to us the accompanying letter from the Colonial Office, enclosing the copy
of a Despatch from the Lieutenant Governor of Nwra Scotia^ enclosing aa
Address to Her Majesty from the House of Asseoably of that Province, com-
plaining of the continued encroachments of American fishermen on the fishing
grounds of Nova Scotia, and the adjoining Colonies, and praying that Her
Majesty would establish, by an Order in Council, general regulations for the
protection of the Fisheries, according to the code aunexed to the Address.

Mr. Backhouse is pleased to request that we would take these papers into
consideration, and report to your Lordship our opinion, "whether there is any-
thing in the proposed regulations which would be inconsistent with the stipula-
tions of the Convention of the 20th October, 1818, between Great Britain and
the United States of America.

We are also honored with Mr. Backhouse's letter of the 19th April, stating
that he was directed to transmit to us a further letter from the Colonial Office
dated the 16th instant, enclosing the copy of a Deepatch from the Lieutenant
Governor of Nova Scotia, covering a copy of an Address from the Legislative
Council of that Province, objecting to one of the above mentioned regulations
proposed by the House of Assembly in the Session of 1848, and to request that
we would take these matters into consideration, in addition to those referred to
in his letter of the 26th March last, and that we would report to your Lordship,
at our earliest convenience, our opinion thereon.

We are also honored with Mr. Backhouse's letter of the 8th June, stating
that he was directed to transmit to us the accompanying letter from the Colonial
Office, together with the copy of a Despatch from the Lieutenant Governor of
Nova Scotia, enclosing a copy of a Report of the House of Assembly, on the
subject of the Fisheries of that Province, and also enclosing a case for opinion,
as to what rights have been ceded to the citizens of the United States of
America, and as to what rights have been exclusively reserved to Her Majesty's
subjects, and to request that we would take the papers into consideration, and
report to your Lordship our opinion on the several questions stated in the case
above mentioned.

We are also honored with Mr. Backhouse's letter of the 5th ult., stating
that he was directed to transmit to us a correspondence, as marked in the mar-
gin, which has passed between the Foreign Office end Mr. Stevenson, the
American Minister at this Court, and the Colonial Depirtment, on the suoject
of a remonstrance addressed by Mr. Stevenson, against the proceedings of the
authorities in Nova Scotia, towards American fishing vessels, encroaching on
the fisheries of that coast, and to request that we would take these papers into
consideration, and to report to your Lordship our opinion thereupon.

Ist Query — Tn obedience to your Lordship's commands, we have taken these
papers into consideration, and have the honor to report that we are of opinion,
that the Treaty of 1783 was annulled by tVe war of 1812 ; and we ai-e also of opinion
that the rights of fishery, of the citizens of the United States, must now be
considered as defined and regulated by the Convention of 1818 ; and with res-
pect to the general question, *• if so, what right," we can only refer to the terms
of the Convention, as explained and elucidated by the observations which will
occur in answering the other specific queries..

2nd and 3rd Query — Except within certain defined limits, to which the query
put to us does not apply, we are of opinion, that by the terms of the Convention,
American citizens are excluded from any right of fishing within three miles of
the coast of British America, and that the prescribed distance of three miles is
to be measured from the headlands, or extreme points of land next the sea, or
the coast, or of the entrance of bays, or indents of the coast, and consequently,

•

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240

Appendix.

No. 13

iJi i

that no right exist«» on the part of American citizens, to enter the bays of
Nova Scotia, there to take fi&h, although the JBshing being within the baj, may
be at a greater distance than three miles from the shore of the bay, as we are
of opinion that the term " head land" is used in the Treaty to express the part
of the land we have before mentioned, including the interiors of the bays, and
the indents of the coast.

4th Query — By the Convention of 1818, it is agreed that American citizens
should have the liberty of fishing in the Golf of Saint Lawrence, and within cer>
tain defined limits, in common with British subjects; and such Convention
does not contain any words negativing the right to navigate the Passage or
Strait of Caifto, and therefore it maybe conceded, that such right of navigation
is not taken away by that Convention : but we have now attentively considered
the course of navigation to the Gulf, by Cape Breton, and likewise the capacity
and situation of the passage of Canso, and of the British Possessions on either
side; and we are of opinion that independently of Treaty, no Foreign country
has the right to use or navigate the Passage of Canso ; and attending to the
terms of the Convention, relating to the liberty of fishing to be enjoyed by the
American citizens, we are also of opinion, that that Convention did not, either
expressly or by necessary implication, concede any such right of using or navi-
gating the passage in question. We are also of opinion, that casting bait, to
lure fish in the track of any American vessels navigating the passage, wonld
constitute a 'fishing, within the negative terms of the Convention.

5th Query — With reference to the claim of a right to land on the Magdalen
Islands, and to fish from the shores thereof, it must he observed, that by the
Convention, the liberty of drying and curing fish ^purposes which could only be
accomplished by landing) in any of the uusettlea bays, &c., of the southern
part of Newfoundland, and of the Coast of Labrador, is specifically provided
for ; but such liberty is distinctly negatived in any settled bays, &c., and it
mus^ therefore be inferred, that if the liberty of landing on the shores of the
Magdalen Islands had been intended to be conceded, snch an important concession
would have been the subject of express stipulation, and would necessarily have
been accompanied with a description of the inland extent of the shore, over which
such liberty was to be exercised, and whether in settled or unsettled parts, but
neither of these important particulars are provided for, even by implication, and
that, among other considerations, lieadsus to the conclusion, that American citizens
have no right to land, or conduct the fishery from the shores of the Magdalen
Islands. The word " shores^* dees not appear to hav^ been used in the Con*
vention in any other than the ger.eral or ordinary sense of the word, and must
be construed with reference to the liberty to be exercised upon it, and would,
therefore, comprise the land covered with water, as far as coald be available,
for the due enjoyment of the liberty granted.

6th Query — By the Convention, the liberty of entering the Bays and Har-
bours of Nova Scotia, for the purpose of purchasing wood and obtaining water,
is conceded in general terms, unrestricted by any condition expressed or
implied, limiting the enjoyment to vessels duly provided with those articles at
the commencement of their voyage ; and we are of opinion that no such condi-
tion could be attached to the enjoyment of the liberty.

7th Query — The rights of fishing ceded to the citizens of the United States,
and those reserved for the exclusive enjoyment of British subjects, depend alto-
gether upon the Convention of 1818, theouly existing treaty on this subject
between the two countries, and the material points arising thereon, have been
specifically answered in our replies to the preceding qoeries.

We have, &c.

J. DODSON,
TH08. WILDE.
Viscount PalmerBton, K. B., do. kc. ftc.

1

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No. 14

Jlppendis,
( No. 14. )

241

Copy oC a Letter from M. H. Perley, Esq., to the Proviucial Secretary, with

Report OB the Fisheries of the Bay of Fundy, March 1851.

Government Emigration Office,

Saint John, A. B,, I2th March, 1851.

■Sir, — In obedience to the comraa'ad of His Excellency the Lieutenant <5over-
'nor, commnnicated in your tetter of 6th July last, that I should examine and
report upon the Fisheries of the Bay of Fundy, so soon as my duties as Emi>
"l^ration Oi!i«er would permit, I -commenced the performanoe of that duty on
'the 20th of August, accompanied by 'George Hayward Perley, my second son.

The Island of Grand Manan was visited, in a hooker of 16 ton?, belonging
to Deer Fsland, which C hired for the trip. Campo Belh, West Isles, and the
-shores iu that vicinity, were examined ia boats of ail sices, adapted for visiting
the severed localities. The upper psrt of the Bay of Fundy, (ii»cfluding Cum-
'berland Bay, and the Basin of Mines,) was examined in the Sloop Cutter
"*' Juno,*^ which I engaged and fitted out fer that service. The south shore of
Nova Scotia was examined by land, the season being too far advanced, and the
weather too stormy, 'to admit «f its being visited in the Catter, without great
•delay.

I hare irow the honor to present the accompanying Report, which embodies
the iaformation obtained while engaged in performing the duty assigned to me,
together with some tfther informatiom, in relation to the Fisheries generally, the
markets for firfh in foreign countiies, the Aaetictta bounty «ystera, and the
■destruction of ftsh on spawning grounds.

With this Report, I have adgo the honor to present, a descriptive Catalogue
Jin parrtl ofthe Fishes of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia ; in which an attempt
has been made to classify the tithes of these Colonies, accor^ng to the system
x>{ Baron Cuvier, in their several orders, families and genera. Iu the descriptions
t>f the various species, I have embodied observations made during a long series
of years; and with a very few «xception8, I have described such fish only as I
have myself seen and handled.

This incomplete Catalogue is offered with the hope, tint it may lead to further
inquiry, and a more perfect knowledge ofthe habits, haunts and seasons of the
''fish of our waters ; not merely as a matter of interest to the scientific inquirer,
but as being of much value to the practical fisherman, wha by better iuformatiou,
may be greatly benefited in his calling.

Before entering upon the duty enirasted to me, I made application to His
Excellency Sir John Harvey, •Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scjtia, for per-
misMon to pursue my inquiries on the Nova Scotia side of the Bay, and a copy
ofthe Commission under Seal, which His tExceliency was pleased to transmit
me, is annexed to this Report.

A copy of the Circular Letter of Inquiry, wiiich T cause J to be printed and
'Circulated, (is also anaexed to this Report, with some of the replies thereto.

I beg to direct especial attention to the letter in the Appendix, from the Hon.
John E. Fairbanks, of Haliiax, which oontaias ^formation and suggestions
possessing much interest.

The Hon. tlieCoramisssieners of British Fisheries, besides notidRg my Report
'of last year in their Annual Report to Parliament, very kindly forwarded to me
a coMplete set of their Parliamentary Reports, und of the Imperial Acts in
Telation to the BritiHh Fisheries, all which have been of the greatest service.
1 have also to express ray obligation to tiieir Secretary, the Hoa. Bonverie
Fraacis Primrose, for his prompt attention in forwarding the prices of fish in
Scotland during the last "five years:; amd for valuable mforuiation respecting the
'markets for fish in Europe, drawn from hia admirable Report to the Board of
Trade, on that imp«rtant sul^ert.

The directinna for taking and curing herrmgs, and for curing cod and hake,
issued by the Board of British Fisheries, hnviiig been approved by His Excel-
lency the Lieutenant Ooverror, one thousand copies thereof were reprinted,
«nd distributed by me, among the fishermen in the several localities visited, by
vtany of whom these directions were greatly approved, and highly appreciated.

16

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'Mr i;

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1'. , f

A i ■■■!'■

i! ■!

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242

Ajipendije,

Na. V5, m

At every place vigiteJ, my mission appeared to give muclj satisfaction. The
greatest kindness was everywhere shewn to myself antl my son, and very many
persons were at great pains to render n» assistance. The ho8pita4ity mvariahly
extended to us, and the facili^ioA which were eheerfully granted oi> both &ide»
of the Bay, demand my most sincere acknowledgements.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your very obedient servant,

M.H. PER LEY,

Tiie Honorable John R. Partelow,. Provincial Secretary..

( No. 15. )

Copy of Commission, from His EzceUency the Lfeut". Governor ofNovaScotiav
PROVINCE OF NOVA SCOTIA.
By His Excellency Lieutenant General Sir Jobs Harvey, Knight Com-
mander of the Most Hono|^ble Military Order of the Bath, Knight
|L.S.] Commander of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order, Lieutenant
Governor and Commander in Chief in and over Her Majesty's Pro-
vince of Nova Scotia, and its Dependencies, &c. &c. &c.

J. Hauvkv, Lt. Governor.

To all Magi»trate», Sheriffs, Revenue Officers, and others, inlwbitaivts of <>ai(i
Province : —

Mosfcs H. Perley, Esquire, having been *nsf meted by His Excellency the
Lieutenant (Jovernor of New Brunswirk, in «.'ouncil, to itispertand report npoti
the Fisheries of the Bay of Foudy, auring the present season, and having re-
quested from me permission to proiseeute the n^^cessary inquiries on tlie shores
of Nova Scotia, within the Bay of Fuudy^ which-permission is hereby granted —

I do, by these Presents, instruct and require yon to give to the said Moses
H . Perley such information and assistance as he may request from yo», or any
of you, in reference to* the said fislieries.

, Given under my hand atid seal at arm?, at Halifax, this twenty ninth day
of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty ,^
a«d in the fourteenth year of Her Majesty's Reign.

By His Excellency'' S' Coritmand.

Joseph Howe-

( No. 16. >

[CfrcuIar.J

Government Emigration Office,

St. John, N. E., \2th Aug. 1850.
Sm, — Having been appointed by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor of
New Brunswick in Council, to inspect and report upon the Fisheries of the Bay
of Fundy — and His Excellency Sir John Harvey, Lieutenant Governor of Nova
Scotia, having, by Commission under Seal, authorized me to prosecute the
necessary inqufries on the Shores of Nova Scotia, within the same Bay — X beg
to acquaint you that I am desirous of obtaining information on the following
points I —

1st. As to the present mode of conducting the fisheries for berringB, shad,
salmon, coS, pollack, haddock, hake, and mackerel — as also descriptions of
the nets, lines, and' other tackle now employed, in order to know if any, and
what,^ improvements may be introduced.

2d. As to the proper season for each fishery j and whether fish, of any des-
cription, are now caught, at times when they are of no real value.

3d. Whether herrings are now taken by "driving," with torch-light^ and
whether the use of standing weirs are, or are not, injurious to the herring
fishery,, and destructive to the fry of other fish.

4thv As to the modes now in use of curing and packing the several descrip-
tions offish, with' the view oi- ascertaining what defeote exist in these important
particulars.

No. 17

Appendix.

243

5th. As to the extent to which the fisheries are injured, as is said, hy the use
of herrings, and the fry of other fish, for manure.

Gth. As to the extent to which the fisheries, in the Bay of FunJy, are en-
croached upon by foreigners.

7th. As to the extent to which the fisheries, in the various virers flowing into
the Bay, have bbcu injured by mill-dams and otlier obstructions, or by illegal
modes of fishing.

8th. The shad fishery in the upper part of tho Bay being of much importance
and value, and that description of fish becoming every year in greater demand,
at an increased price, it is extremely desirable that the most full and accurate
information, respecting this fishery, should be obtained, with the view of ascer-
taining the quantity of fish now caught annually, and the extent to which the
fishery may be safely prosecuted.

1 respectfully request you to furnish me with whatever information you possess,
in connection with the foregoing inquiries, or which may be interesting or useful,
as regards the fisheries generally. Any observations as to existing nuisances,
obstructions to the sea or river fisheries, tho destruction offish by extraordinary
means, or at unusual seasons, and as to the means of remedying these grievances,
will be gladly received.

As the work in which I am engaged is of great importance to the interests of
the people of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, I venture to rely upon your
assistance and co-operation in carrying it out as fully us possible. Any com-
munications upon the subject, you will please address to this Oifice.

M. H. Perley.

( No. 17. )

Copy of Letter from Cochran Craig, J. P., of Grand Harbour.

Grand Manan, \Qth December, 1850.
Sir, — According to promise, I proceed to give you my views as required by
your Circular of 12tlt August, respecting the fisheries. In reply to your first
inquiry, I beg to say, that the fisheries around this Island are those for herring,
cod, pollack, haddock, and hake, which alone are steadily prosecuted.

Herrings are taken in nets, with meshes suited to the diflTerent sizes of the
fish, set in-sbore during the night, and on the outer soundings in the day time,
when only it is practicable to fish there. They are also taken in weirs, which
are now put down here on every bar, and in almost every channel which those
fish play through, and even around our shores. This mode, I think, must be
roost destructive, as in securing such as are generally fit for use, they destroy
double the quantity saved, of those that are entirely too small for any purpose
whatever, but manure.

All otlier fishes are taken here by hand lines, calculated for various currents
and depths of water.

In answer to your second inquiry, T have to state, that I learn from the most
experienced fishermen here, the only improper season for fishing for herrings
with nets, is from the middle of July, till the middle of September, on the
spawning ground at the Southern Head, as they are then and there taken in
the act of spawning, and not good ; the fishery must be injured, from the very
great destruction of spawn, by the working of the nets. All seasons are con-
sidered proper for the catch of every other fish, they always proving good, and
DO damage being considered to arise to the fishery from their being so taken.

To your third inquiry, I reply, that few herrings are now taken here by
driving with torch-light, as, at the proper times of tide for this business, there
are none to drive, they being principally, as it were, in pound, and often kept
there, dead or alive, big or little, until damages are paid before even a few can
be got out for bait. That these standing weirs are most injurious to the herring
and in-shore line fisheries, none that I have talked with on the subject, pretend
to deny, and they lately have been many of our oldest and best fishermen, and
among them, several of the weir-holders themselves. The injury the weirs do to
the fry of other fish than herring, is very little I believe, as it i.^^ very rare for
the weirs here to take any other fish.

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No. 17

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To jronr foorth inquiry, I answer, that after a perusal of the directions you
handed me, as to the curing of herrings and other fish, I consider the curing and
pacliing of fi«h taken here as quite defective, and conclude that to remedy the
evil, the fishermen cannot do better than adhere closely to those dir(!ctions, and
adopt the modes of curing and packing therein set forth. But instead of this,
they will tell you, that they can do better by selling fish, and can find a quicker
market for them, as now cured and priced, than if managed agreeably to those
directions.

To yoar fifth inquiry, as to the extent to which the fisheries here are injured
by the use of fish lor manore, I will, with a large majority on my side say, that
I consider the extent to which our in-shore fisheries are, and have been, for ten
year past, injured by the destruction of herrings, both fit and unfit for proper
use, tak<>n in the weirs, is almost endless. The heavy schulls of herring fry
being yc-arly cat up by those weirs, and the cod and pollack having no bait to
draw them in^«hore, they are only to be found far out in deep water, where boats
and small vessels (the poor man's dependance) cannot follow them.

To your sixth — The extent to which our fisheries are encroached upon by
foreigners, both by their fishing within limits for hake, and netting for bait at
the Southern Head in the spawning season, is I believe very considerable, bat
might, I think, be prevented by a more rigid enforcement of the existing laws.
Our Overseers of Fisheries are all fishermen themselves ; none other can here
be had, and they cannot be expected to complain of their neighbours to their
loss. There is here much ineflicienRy in this respect, but I must leave the
prescription of a remedy to yourself.

I am unable to give any reply to your other inquiries, as there are no river
fisheries in this Island, nor any shad fishery.

I find the views of the dififerent investigators of these matters sent here by the
Government about as various as the different kinds of fish. Some of them say,
that all the herrings taken here by weirs, are not at all missed in the sea. They
say the weirs would always be filled up with herring, if the weir stakes and
brushwood did not frighten them off into deep water ; my reason for their leaving
is, that they are all killed. With my neighbo irs here, experienced fishermen,
I agree, that herrings do not come in from seu at all, but are spawned on onr
spawning gmund, and play round onr shores until taken ; and that such as are
not taken, continue to do so until they are full grown ; when they know our
shores as well as sheep know their pasture. Then they go off to sea, where
they remain, frequenting shoals, and in -shore places, only to deposit their spawn.
We catcb no spawning herrings, and but few large enough to spawn, in our
weirs. It is considered a settled point by all experienced fishermen on this
Island, that while so many weirs as are now erected here, are allowed to stand,
so long will our herring and in-shore fisheries continue to decline. So long
also must we be annoyed with obstructions to our navigation, which many of the
weir; are at present.

Next to the weirs, the falling off of our fishery may be attributed to the very
great destruction of spawn, for many years past, at the Southern Head, by the
catch being allowed there at all seasons, without proper restrictions. I think
this might be remedied, by re-enacting the expired law relating to this fishery
passed in 1834, which prohibited all netting on this ground, from 20th July, to
20th October, with an amendment, allowing only one boat to each vessel. Du-
ring the continuance of this law, our herring and other in-shore fisheries, upon
which the main body of our Islanders depend for support, was remarkably
impv oved ; at that time, ho-^ever, there were no weirs here.

Tue practice of throwing offal upon the fishing grounds by foreigners and
careless persons, should be prevented by permanent fishery laws. The preserva-
tion of spawn ought also to be attended to ; but what will be the use of this, if the
herrings are to be fenced in, and killed, before they are the length of , >nr finger ?

Your jbedient servant,

Cochran Craio,
U. H. Perley, Btquire.

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No. 18, 19

Appendix.

245

( No. 18. )
Copy of Letter from Daniel M'Laugbliu, Esq., Cupt. of Militia.

Grand Mamn, S. fT. Heady Oct. 9, 1850.

Sir, — It gives me great pleasure to ruriiish you with iiirormntion, respecting
tho fishery at the S. \V. Hend of Gran J Mannn. I have rexided here 21 years,
and during 18 years of that time, was Overseer of the Fisheries. When I fir.«t
<'ame, the Americans set nets, and robbed the St. John fishermen of their warps
iind anchors at noou d'ly. I complained of this !<• their own officers, who took
two of the vessels, with the anchors and warps on board of them. At that time,
uot more than eight St. John vessels fished here for herrings. But at the pre-
sent time, there are from 40 to £0, all on a small space of ground, with ten,
twenty, and tliirty nets to eiieh vesst-l. When tlie nets are taken up in the morn-
ing, they are replaced by others, go tliitt the passage of the fish is obstructed.
'J'he nets will become so loaded, that the webs drop Jrom the cork rope, and are
then left to rot upon the bottom, except what few they can grapple up. By
thp6(> means, the fish are driven from their spawning ground; fur this mode of
fishing is constantly kept up, Sunday not excepted.

It is well known that Oraiid iMaiian is tlie key of the fisheries in the Bay
of FuuJjr. The passage offish is obstructed by weirs, in every place where the
fish resort, and nut one with a lawful gate; some without any, and those chiefly
owned by foreigners, which I beg to say, are no benefit to any l>r;c those that
owu the privilege, Some of them even bring their building timber, their box-
«tuff, aad barrels; when the fishing is over, they take all their fish to Carapo
Bello, or Tudian Island, where they remain until opportunity serves to get them
into the United States, and get the American brand upon them. Not one of
these fish goes to a British market.

lu 1834, the inhabitants petitioned and got a law passed, which remained in
force until May J 837- 'I'la-y want the same law ii- force now, with a little
jtmendment, as to vessels having boats attached to them— only one boat for the
use of the vessel. By this law, the fisheries for cod-fish and herrings both re-
%ive4l, while it was in force. I took ^{) barrels of the best ofherrings, with 15
tathoms of net, 2| iucU mesh, in November 1835 ; at that time, they were worth
20s. per barreL

Yours, &c.

DaMKL M'LAUflUI.IN.

M. H. Perley, Et\.

( No. 19. )

Copy of Regulations for the Shad Fishery in the Countf of Cumberland,

Nova Scotia.

I. It IS ordained, that the rules and regulations made at a Spe4*ial Sessions of
(he Peaee ua the 14th day of April, 184«, for the District of Fort Lawrence in
the said County, be continued and in lull force, as they were made aforesaid,
on the said day, vi2 : — that the Fort Lawrence llistrict have liberty to make
their own regulations relative tliereto ; that no net shall exceed fifty fathoms ;
itnd that uu iamily be allowed to st-t more than that number oftathomsiu differ-
ent aets.

II. That all the nets «haU be set on lines, from the shore towards the bank
of the river or bay, aud that no two lines of nets shall be set in the range ol the
<ide or current, nearer than one hundred and fifty yards ot each other: pro-
vided, nevertheless, that the Uverseer« be permitted to allow of the eetting ot
nets, either above or below said line* of uats.

III. That the Overseer lay off these several liues, as many as ho may deem
necessary, for the accommodation of the inhabitants for the District of Port
Lawrence interested iu the fisheries ; and tliat each person ballot for his right
to a place in such fine or lines, each right or share uot to exceed twenty five
yards in each line, which Ii« may ballot for, accordiug to the number of fathoms
iu first ceetiou.

IV. That the Overseer lie required to give six days notice, by advertisement,
previous to said laying off and balloting.

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Xo. 20

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V. That these fighcnes nre tlic undoulited nght of tlic inhabitants of the Dis-
trict ol Fort Lawreui'e, but it i? there opinion tiiat whenever the ground for th«*
inhabitants be laid off, that the Overseer* bhall admit ot any other percon to
participate ii> the Maine advantage, until the ground be taken up under these
regulations.

For the Townsfiip r/ ^mhcmt,

1. Tt is further ordained, that there shall not be any drift-net or iivts, allowed to
be drifted from the mouth of the river Mis^agoui^h, up to Amherst Point Marsh,
opposite Barronsfield ia said County.

TT. Tt is further ordained, that one net and no naorc, be allowed to each house-
holder, 80 that only one net be allowed to each house, and that no other person
or persons he allowed a net or nets in any of the strings of nets hereafter men-
tioned.

TIf. Tt ia further ordi»5ne<l, that wh?never prronnil for the householders of the
Township of Amherst be laid off, that trie Overseer or Overseers be allowed to
;idmit of any other person or persons, being householuers, so that only one wet
be allowed to each house.

TV. Tt is further ord iined, that no net or nets of any person or persons, shal'
be more than twelve fathoms iit length, and the dejith thereof as each individual
may think proper.

V. It is further ordiiined, that five strings of nets be alfowetl to be set, froin
the mouth of the River I^PIanche, to what is called M'Cully's Upi>er Creek ;
and that other strings of nets be allowed from M'Cully's Upper Creek, to Am-
lierst Point Marsh, allowing that no string of such nets be nearer to each other
than five hundred yards.

VI. It is further ordained, that tlie first mentioned five strings of uets be
numbered from the mouth of the lliver LaPlanche upwards.

VII. It is further ordained, that the owner or owners of the soil opposite the
Rtrings of nets, or ground taken up for the ^ le, shall have the first privilege or
choice ; and that the person or persons w lad set nets on previous year or
3'ears, shall have the second privilege; aud in case of «ny difTirnlty with either
of the above parties, the Overseer or Overseers shall draw lots in relation for
either of the above parties, as the case may require, either for the first, second,
or third.

[For a breach of any of the above Regulation?, a penalty not exceeding 40s.
is impuied.J

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( Xo. 20. )

Copy of Letter on the Deep Sea Fisheries, from the HonoraWe JoRn E.
Fairbanks, of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Woodsidc, \dlh November, 1850.

Dear Sir,-— Previous to the receipt of your kind favour of tlM> 12th, I had
made a few notes relative to our fisheries . 1 much regret that my practical
informatiou is so meagre, in a branch of industry of such vital importance to the
people of these Colonies; such as it is, however, with the result of some recent
inquiries, 1 now give it you.

The Custom House returns as to fish, will give you some idea of tlie nnports
and exports of thitJ article. From them, yon will learn, how large a quantity
we receive from NewfountHand, for which cash is paid to a great e«te»t ; but nc»
information can be obtaiue«l as to our domestic consumption. Tt is daubt1es>t
very great, as there is scarcely a family but uses fish, in various shapes; yet this
demand would be greatly increased, if the modes of cure were improved, and the
quality eould be relied upon. The farmer who teams a barrel of fish a longf
distance into the interior, and then finds them bad, is cautious how be boys in
future. A rigid inspection law, properly carried out, would be of great service.

I think there is scarcely a man in the Province, who has a correct idea of
ihe present value of our fisheries; and I am sure, that few can conceive to what
extent they are capable of being carried, under sound and jndicions legislation
aud management. We bavetiot only no bounties, but not one shilling of publio
expenditure has ever been disbursed, la improving a fishiug pott or statUMftk

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Appendix.

247

the

All onr nets, tines, and twines, are iiBported, the li^ht and simple man«riH:tur<!
of which, roifriit, I think, be introduced, ami thus furnish employineut tu tlx;
i'ainiiies of tisht-rinen during the winter Rcarion.

With renpert totiie mode in which -our fii*hifiy is eonductml, th<?re is— first,
the Bank lixUery; and secitnd, the Sl>«r« fl«<h«ryu Oirr " Bankers" are gt'Ue-
raliy of fimail ske, (r«>m 2i) to &0 toiM, neither so wt-U constructed, fitted or
found, as those of the Auierieiins. Our vessels go ts sea, iroui the Jst of April,
to the 1st ef Alftv. 'Jliej' <50»itiniie (•dd-fishiwy, '«n the various banks, between
'C'a|*e Sable and Cnpe (Jansa, until alMut the lOtli of June. Th« cod they take,
ure ^ery fine, tliiuk, well-fed fish. W well cured in pile, not pickled tu casks,
they would suit the Spanish market, and gi*t there earlier than those from New-
foundland, by two months. Thuse pickled in casks before being dried, ^eVt' on
, the voyage:; and this, ho doubt, has caused tlKt'losfi ofuiany cargoes, bj what is
<'alled " sweating."

TliftJe '• Bankers" «lso take halibut, sometimes in large qnantitiea; 4»ut </'.»«
fins only are ti^eil, whereas rthe whole bodies, when properly preserved and dried
in strips, w-<»nld laeet a goed market in the^UniteJ States. The tongues and
sounds of the ro«], are &Um generally thrown aw^ty, iu the hurry ol cleaning.

AIucU time is lost by these " Bankers" iu coming hoiaeou Saturday night, as
part of the (allowing week i««pent in returning to their fishing ground. The
Americans cauntrt d» this, consequently have more time to secure their fares.

In June, »nr " Bankers '" proceed to Cape bJreten, the Oulf ol St. Lawrence,
or the Labrador, wlience they return with varj^oesof cod, seiil-skins, &c. AJany
reach home about the lit«t ot Augu(>t, and commence the catch. of do^-fish, whvcU
Are valu.'ibIo on accomrt uf the oil their livers yield. Eight hoBdreil dog-iiish^ if
f.fgood size, yield a barrel ol "il of3li gallons. 'I'heir dried bodies ar^ sold at
3s. 6d. per hundred, for feeding pigs during the winter. Two fish, boiled or
roasted, -per day, will feod a good sixed store jh^, I'rom Noremlx'r until May,
when the food iiiust bo changed, and the flavour given by the fish will be entirely
obliterated. Thi« is one of the most valuable branches of our fishery ; its out-
fit costs very little, but it is limiteJ, both by neglect and au uulbrtunate preju-
dice against t^ie use of the fi*'.., as food for pigs-

The fishing for dog-fish haviivg slackened, our v«;sel« are next engaged in
taking 'herriikflpa nud mac-kerel, continuing to fish tor the latter until Inte iu
Novenrber. During some «oasons, this is done with itets and seines; but the
quantity taken in tlie seines is -sometimes very large, and then the cure is not so
good, Pauses a decided preference to be giteu to the net fi«h-

The second branch, tl>e «hore or boat fishery, israrried on to a greater v»r less
extent, along our whole coasts W hale-boats -mamied by 2 to 4 men, Jind large
•sail boats, undecked, are useil. They commence about the 20th of May, and
fish witiiiu the4i$tance«f 10 to 15 miles from the 4and. The diligentaud active
make a tolerable living, and keep out of debt 4 but a€ these men have generally
a few acres of hind, with some eatfcle and sheep, their time is divided between
fishing and farming, which operates injuriously to both ; many af them are there-
frre poor, and Bnable t« pay for their outfit. This compels thera to hire with
others the tbllowiug year ; after that, they seldom redeem their promises to the
merchatit.

With regard to the fishery within this harbeur, -l may oljsen'e, tiiat it is
ehicfly carried «n in boats, and where any number of " U£nker« " might be
employed, I may say, we have not one deserving the name.

tielween Waliiax and <Jape Sambro, about twelw miles, there a«« thf«e fish-
frig stations. on the western shore, viz: — FerguwMi's Cove, Herring "Cove, and
fortuguesc'Cove. A regret that I cannnt give y»u either the number of meu
or boats, or-the.'qoan^ity of -fish cwed ; it-is however v<ry considerable. The
fishermen there,<c»re aiswge quantity of cod, mackerel, and herring; tlwyhave
Hiavy seines and nets, And generally are iu comfortable icircumstances. They
.supply the HalitaK market with cod, haddock, w«ck«relf «akB0», herrings, lob-
sters, and a few other varieties of fi«h.

Few fish HiarkMs <jn America are better enpplieJ, or at cheaper rates, than
that of Halifax. With a little more exertion, and by good prices, it wight be
made equal to the demands of the population, however extensive.

Ou the eastern side «f the harbour, south of Woo<l«ide, there is a population
4»f about one thousand, many of whom reside on their own farm,', and prosecute
i!i« ahora fisherjr ; tliejr bare also two or three saaaU " Bankers," .and altbofig^

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No. 30

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eithe" th» fixhlng or rarming might afford tlieia a liring, T attriBate all the
poverty that exists among them, tu the union of tbo two purnuita, which baa ki-
Tariiibly ended in dinappniutineiit.

I will now give a short detail of my own «>xperi0nee at Woedxide, where I
recently had the pieawnre of seving 700. About thpse yaata since, 1 visited
Cape Cod nod Marblehead, ii> order to learn their mode of conclocting the-
fishery, and to prosure some experiencvd meit. I wna told, thnt the best tlier
had were Nova Scotians. Tli«y wer» Hurpfuied to find us behind them, withi
advantiigcR so much svperior to their own— they having to nuil one thouHand
luileii to the fishing bunkfl, oi>t and home, while thoHw lmnk» are nlmont at our
very doors — this, with the low cost of our ve.o^rls, suit, fcc, natarally indueed
them to thiuk, that it would be a more profitable puri^uit with us, than with them..
80 1 thought, and 1 still continne of thesame opinion. On m]l return, 1 houghl
a small ve#<8el, boUt the flakes, nnd commenced a small establishuK'nt. 71tvre
has been uo scarcity offiah on the gronnd ; those curei were of good qqatity^
early in market, nnd soU well. Nad I been able to offer lOtK) to 1500 q,uintal».
oruo<)fi8li in the market, I have little doubt but I5f>. per j|uintal might have beeu
nbtitined for them; bnt the quniitity wa«i too soxtll to muke up a rargo, except
for the West Indies,, with otlier pnrceU. Th^resnlt, however,o( the threeyeur»
has been unfavourable, — the vessel's half of the fish, nol prudaciag more than,
enough to pay the provisinas and) supplies, leaving nothing far wear and tear.. I'ho
want of exertion on the part ot the crew, their insubordination, carelessness, and
improvidence, have led to these results, nnd deterred me froin< increasing mi estn<-
blitihment, which 1 feel asruredi, would not onlj be profitable to lue, but beaefi-
cial to the cooamauity \ but I am not without the ho]}e, that fitter man may yet
be fnand.

We ought to have five hnn JVed sail at leofit out of this port.. I'hey shouhl not
come into port during the su^i^on, unless to land fiuh, or from unavi>idable neees-
sity. A shore crew shonid make the fish near the city, where suitsible labour-
could be easily got. Fish can be made, in elear weather up the haibour, while-
the coast is enveloped in fog.

From my own experience, corroborated by practitn) men, I ealwrtaia the-
opinion, that the fishing on our cou.^t could be made more profitable thnn, that:
of Newfoundland. There the ueason is abort, and the weather more ancertain,.
while frona kenee, inelading a Bay voyage, the fish may be taken the whole-
year. Our fisheiies, however, receive no support iroM. the Government ;, our
merchants furnish the- provisions aud supplies- only, not owning the veiisel»
themselves. The American bounties*, and protaetive duties, euable thew t*> give^
ei»r fishermea high wuget), aud we counot be surpiised; that oua best meib
leave us.

New Brunswick hai), I think, acted wisely in. direetiBg- the inquiry you- are-
Bow engaged in making, and must feel much indebted to yoo, for your exertion»
in exploring thia vakuable hrauch of her resources. I wii>b our Government
woold copy the example, for the period will SDon arrive wheu our attention aiust
be turned more seriously towards tht; fi.sheries> and tbea, the value of these-
investigations will he duly appreciated.

The maekerel fishery, on the Sable Island banks, ha» this season been pro>
ductive, and seines have beett ased in hauling, ou the shores of that Island.
This will induce a larger outfit next season, the prices in the Umted States-
being now very high.

I have often thought, that when men of eajHtikl and* enterprtoe- tarn their
attention to this branch of indnatry, as they no doobt will do hereafter, many
improved modes of conducting it will he introduced. Steam, wMok has beeik
pressed iato the service of every other busine$>s, will \ think be fiiuad e^nallr
applicable to this.. Prc^llers of a cheap cost might be employed ;- they woalcir
carry a larger crew that sould eatch ftsh, as >t i« a simple act onoe they^are>
hooked. They could speedily weigh anchor, shift their ground. ke(>p their r.rew
comfortable when off work, ami rua into and out of poet wilhovt loss of time,
leaving to shoremen the laboar of making the fish, and so fishtag the whole-
season with little interraption. This i» one idea.

Next, steam is employed in drying many articles of merchandise — why no^
f^sh? How much labour is lost, after the fish are tak<)n and aalted ! How
many cargoes are spoiled in making, from exposure to bad weather, and destroyed'
b; becoming salt'barnt, mildewed^ aud slimy I Coald science uot diecover somtt'

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No. 21

Appendix,

219

prautlcal pliin of curing them, in aiiitable buildingn, bj steam ? I ibink it mnv»
and yet will be done.

I met a finhenuan ycHterday rrom Canao, w)io hnd been driven ufT tlie Inn')
unmti forty iniWs. He iiitgared me, that he ran nil ni^ht throiiKb unhrukeu fichiiiii*
ol mackerel, rteerinff nooth-west. Now, on our nhore, this fishery lwi» been a
(tiiliire thiii InU, and thin mairn report tHlliei* with thane ol miiny old fiithfrmcik
with whom I have formerly «>nnvern«d, namely, that miekerel are abnixlant every
iieaiion, but from some canne, at times, paso to the westward in the fall, at a great
distance from the land. I'liis fact, although wfll known, ban not yet led to the
introiiuctioii of the deep-sea net fishery, as followed in thi> North ^ea, where
at times 300 futhomn of net are ui>ed by one vessel, in taking herriagii ; thismude
way one day be u»ed here, with advantage.

The bultuw fishing, as followed by the FreiMrK on the Tirand Bank* x* noit
known on our shoreM ; some fishermen thiuk it would do, but (hey have uot the
enterprise to try it.

These ideas have fretjoently orcurred to me; it is now riitbi-r late iu life, for
me to enfiage in a parsnit of this nature, but the field is honndless. 'The supf^ly
can never be exhutisled, nor the demand that exists in sihuost every country be
snti«ified. In n few years, Ameriea itself will ciiisniue all these I'rtivint-es «mn
farnish, and I hope the inventive spirit of the age will apply itself to the investi-
gation ot these subjects, and point out to tlte yonnti aikd enterprising, improved
modes of applying their exertions to this most valuable branch (W North Anieriouu
industry.

I regret that this communieation, instead of these discursive rrniarks, does not
tjontnin that precise statistical information of which yon were in search. 1
would gladly have substituted it instead, but as I had prepare<l you to expect, tliat
it tMiuld not easily be procured, I ho])e yon will not feel disa))p()iiited. 1 si>
highly approve of the service in wliidi you are engaged, that 1 was willing to
give you my ideas on the subject, however iniperleet they Hii^sht he; hut I shdlk
neglect no opportunity of furnishing you, with any further information 1 nuiy
acquire un this interesting subject.

1 am, luy dear sir, &c.

John E. Fairbanss.
. H. Parley, Enquire.

( No. 21. )

Ext met of a Dispftich from Lord Stnnkyto Lord Fa/frlawi. flirted }1lh Septpmler
1845, preceded by a note of the circumstances tchich led to its trttusnimion.

In 1841, Mr. Stevenson, the American Minister at the Court of St, James,
addressed a note to the Secretary of State lor Foreign AflRiirs. complaining of
the nnthorities tf Nova Scotia lor having seived a number of American vessels,
which were fishing within head-lauds, hut yet. at a greater distance thi\n thre»
miles from the land.

This complaint led to a case being submitted by the Assembly of Nova Scotia,
as to the construction of the Convention of )HI8 relative to the fisheries, and
the o|)inion of the Queen's Advocate General, anl Attorney General of Kngland,
was thereupon given, thai the prescribed distance of three miles was to be
measured from lieadlands, or extreme points ofland, and not from the indents of
the coast. This opinion will be found in the present Appendix as No. 13.

The American Minister continued to reiterate his remonstrances until 1S45,
when Lord Stanley, by u I>espatch to Lord Falkland, dat^d 19th May 1S45,
intimated that Her Majesty's tiovernment deemed it advisable, for the interests
of both countries, to relax the strict rule which excluded American fishing
▼essels from entering the Bays, on the coast of British North America.

Lord Falkland immediately commnnicatPfl to Lord Stanley his objections to
the proposed arrangements, which were couched in very strong terms. Tho
Honorable Mr. Simonds. then a member of the Executive Council of New
Brunswick, being about to pro<'eed to England, was instructed by the Council
to oppose the proposed concession. In London, Mr. Simonds met the Honor-
able George R. Yoong, who immediately bent his energies to the same end.
On the 4th of August 1845, Mr. Young presented to Lord Stanley, a most able
aud elaborate paper upon the fi:$hery question^ which appears to have had great

250

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No. 2C

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weig;l)t; it is to lie rpgrettt-d, that this valuable doi'iMnent has not yet been
publis^lied. Tlie fxertioiis of Mr. Simouds and Mr. Young were successful, and
the follewinft statements maoe by those prentlomen on their return, in tin' Legis-
latures of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, of which they were reBpi'Cti\Mjly
Hienberp, will best explain their proceedings.

On the 2ii<J of February 1846, in the House of Assembly. Mr. Simonds rO«e
and said — " He had some explanations to make relative to the right of the
Americans to fish, under the Convention of 1816. It had been the intention of
the Home Government to wincede. to the fishermen of the United States, the
righi; to fish in onr waters. At a meeting of the Cotuvcil in ♦his Produce, it
was considered highly important, that personal reinousfrance should be made on
tlie suhect, to the Jiuthorities in Great Britain; and a« Ive (Mr. Simonds) was
abo'it going to Euroi»e, an Order in Council was passed, authorizing him to
make the proper representations. He was th<« only person officially ap))oinled
by the Colonies; bat on his arrival in London, he found a distinguished Nova
Scotia gentleman, (G?orge R. Yoang,. E?0|.,) wh© was anxious to join him',
riie (Jasp^ Fishing and Mining Company were also anxion* to depute a getitle-
tuan to join with him. Believing that he would be inuterially assisted by these
gentlemen, he gladly acceded t(» the propositions, and they waited first, npon a
inenjber of the Board of Trado, wliom they made acquainted with the facts of
the case. They then had an interview with Mr. Hope, the Under Secretary for
the Colonies, to whom they represented the <!ase in its strongest light. 'I'hey
next saw Mr. Addington and Mr- [lope together, and went thoroughly iuto the
«age with thetn, shewing the itiJNry tlie i^ontemplated measure would inflict upon
the Colonies. I'hese representations, they had pood reason to believe, were
et?ectuaL They then had an interview with l^ord Staidey. to whom they made
the same repreeentations- In this d«ty, it fell to lii-m, (.Mr. Simonds') to state
the case, he being tlie <i«ily person ofS<'iidly appoint«>d, but he was ably assisted
by tlK} other petitletiien. From Ixird Stanley they received assurance, thai
iiothii-g sho«ld be done in the matter to injure the Colonies; and he (i\lr.
Siiiionds) had no donbt, the representations made, had induced Her Mnjesty'n
Government to decline. f<»r ev«r, the proposal of yit-lding to the United States
any further rights to fish in onr waters, than those already granted before he
(.Mr. S.) had gone to Knglaud. The Americans, unc'er this arrangement, were
»\t liberty to fish in the Bay of Fiiinly, provided they did not come within three
sniles of the shore."

On the 1 4th February I84(), the Hon. Mr. Young laid on the table of the
Assembly ef Nova S<-atia, eo)»ie8 of the documewts which he had prejiarcd in
England on this sulijcct, including ihe able letter to Lord Stanley already
mentioned, accompanied by the following memorandum-: —

" After the transmission of my note of 1st A<ogu«it, Wr. Simouds and mysel-f
bad a long interview, by ap)>«intmeut, with .Mr. Hope, and Mr. Addington of the
Foroign Office, (mi the«ul^ect of these concessions, aud before whom the effect
q{ thetB was fuJIy (liscu<;se4J. >Our strong ground ^if argnuient was, that, the
right of the Colonies bei.>g determined by the Tr^'aty of lh'l8, the iuter^weta-
tion of that Treaty should be left without further uegutiatioii, to the action of
the High Court of A<lmiraH)'.

" By tlie steamer which left Lirerpo«l on the ■jith August, T sent a letter t«»
the Speaker, and .ay other i>olitical friends, roquestiug them to take such actios
on it, as they might deem advisable.

" On the<)th Angust, the «t*coi*d B<ite asd the letter wlii.U accompanied it*
were fieutiu, with the i'u41 g|vproval uui sanction ef Mr. Simond«.

" A «ote from th^ hmi Colonel Wilbraham, lUe Private Secretary of Lord
Stanley, wap neceived, appointing a day for an interview.

■"i5*ich interview was accordingly held; and at the same time, .Mr. Narraaa,
CTwd other geuiletnen representing the interest* of the Gasj>^ Fisluog Campany^
JMr. Sitkonds as the Agent of Nmv Brunswick, ^ Henry Bliss, Esq., not being
rhen in l..oudo(i,) and myself, as a M^-iaher of the Legislatnre of Nova Scotia,
were received by L«rd Stanley, aud Sir. Hope, at thr 'loionial Office. The
;^uestion was then fully discussed iu all it.) hearings ; and Lord Stanley said, at
tlie conclusion of the conversation, that no decision should be 4?ome to, until
■we were ffiher consulted. On behalf of the Legislature and the country,!
«arriestlyientreated, that the concessions sought for by the American ftlinister
ifilaould not be ceded^ until the question should be submitted lo the Assemhlj/

No. 21

Appendix.

251

" On my return to London, from Scotland, in September, 1 nsnertaiiiefl at
tlie Coluuial Office, thalcthe Government liad determined not to grant the con-
cessions sought for, and that a Despatch, of which I saw the copy, had been sent
to their Excellencies Lord Falkland, and Sir William Colebrjoke, by tha Mail
of the 1 9th September, to that effect."

The following is an extract from the Despatch alluded to, as being addressed
to Lord Falkland : —

" Dimming Street, \'tth September, 1845.

" Her Majesty's Government have attentively considered the represenfafions
contained in your Despatches, No. 324 and No. 331, of IJth June and 2(1 .luly,
respecting the policy of granting permission to the fishermen of the United
States to fish in the Bay of (/haieur, and other large bays of similar character,
on the coast of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia; and apprehending fr.im yonr
statements, that any such general concession would be injurious to the interests
of the British North American Provinces, we have abandoned the intention wo
had entertained upon this subject ; and shall adhere to the strict letter of the
Treaties which exist between Great Britain and the United States, relative to
the fieheries of North America, ex<'ept in bo far as they may relate to the
Bay of Fundy, which has been thrown open to the Americans under certain
restrictions.

" Tn announcing this <!i...'sion to yon, I must at the same time, direct your
attention to the absolute neocssity ofa scrupulous observance of those Treaties
on the part of the Colonial authorities, and to the danger which cani-.ot fail t'
arise, from an overstrained assumption of the power of excluding the fishermen
ot the United States, from the water* in which they have a right to follow their
pursuits.

" Stani-ky,"

( No. 22. )

I'' i 6 ' ,'

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^;::

REPORT ON THE FISHERIES i THE RAY OF FUJIDY,

BT

AUGUSTUS F. KYNASTON,

ACTING COMMANDER OF HER MAJESTY'S SLOOP "PERSIAN."

Hkr Majesty's Si.oop Pkrsian,

Sauit John, N. /i., it/i September, 1851.

Siu, — A successor having been appointed from England,
and being about to resign the command of H. M. S. Persian,
I am desirous of laying before your Excellency, knowing the
interest you personally take in the Fisheries of this Province,
such remarks as I have had the opportunity of making
during the period of my station within the Bay, and Which I
much regret has been so limited.

I trust that, short as has been my time for gleaning informa-
tion on this important subject, you will give me credit for having
taken a lively interest in the service to which I have been
called ; and that, therefore, whatever remarks on the present
state of the fisheries, or whatever suggestions I may wish to
make to your Excellency towards their future improvement,
have emanated from a close study, and I trust from a zealous
line of action.

Having received notice of the appointment of my successor
as far back as the middle of the preceding month, siwcc I had
the honor to report my return to Campo Bello, in a letter to
your Excellency, dated August 2nd ; rather than by endeavour-
ing to gain a knowledge of the whole fisheries of the Bay, which
from my limited time could only have been superficial, I have
preferred to confine my efforts to the vicinity of the Grand
Manan, which may be viewed as the key of the whole fisheries,
and to which locality the new Act passed by the Provincial
Legislature in April so materially pointed, and where, I con-
fess, vigorous steps were refjuired to save from utter ruin the
fisheries of that Island, more especially those of the Southern
Head.

The steps hitherto taken by cruisers in the Bay have seemed
to incline rather to the prevention than the detection. The
intelligence of a man of war leaving her anchorage soon spreads
far and wide : in a cruise of a few days, wind and weather per-
mitting, she may cover a good deal of the ground ; the sight
of her top gallant sails will scare delinquents ten miles off,
until the time when they are below the horizon or shut in by
the land, when they may be agein found at their unlawful
pursuits ; on this point, without going any further, I would
call your Excellency's attention to Mr. Perley's able Report
on the Fisheries of the Bay.

No. 22

Appendix.

253

What I would point out, more especially as referring to
Grand Manan, is the necessity of establishing boats and smaller
vessels not only for the prevention but for the detection of the
law-breakers, and bringing them under the penalties of the Act.

While the " Persian" has been at anchor in Long Island
Harbour, I have employed the time in cruising in her boats,
and have visited every cove and fishing station that has been
within my reach, and where the British flag has been rarely
shewn ; and while I have become thereby more or less ac-
quainted with the habits of the fishermen, I have endeavoured
to impress upon them, while I heard their complaints, that they
are only to be redressed by a close attention on their part to
the laws which were made for their benefit, and by supporting
the Wardens and Overseers in the execution of their duty,
which, since it falls upon one or two, is an arduous one.

In the appointment of Mr. Alexander and Capt. M*Laughlin,
the Island must eventually reap the greatest benefit. They are
very zealous, firm in their duty, without departing from a line
of conciliation which is so necessary towards working out any
sudden reform.

They, however, need more support than they have at present ;
more especially during the absence of one of Her Majesty's
cruisers. I would wish to direct your Excellency's attention
to the following facts : — That the Warden at present has
no power independent of the Magistrate ; he has not the
power to detain vessels violating the i-ct, still less to arrest
the parties themselves ; all must be • Jone by summons of the
Magistrates, whose residences are far removed from the
Southern Head, even should they themselves be there. Mr.
Craig, of Grand Harbour, is not within six miles, and Mr.
Fisher, not within nine ; while the avocations of the latter
require his frequent attention at Eastport.

The consequences of this are evident : firstly, that transgres-
sors of the law are enabled to profit by the delay, in making
their escape ; and secondly, the Warden subjected to much
labour in vain, besides considerable expenses on occasions. -

As rq^^rds the working Overseer himself, Mr. M'Laughlin,
he has = c' much work, with no remuneration ; more especially,
since, ibi the protection of the spawning ground, I thought
proper to leave one of the " Persian's" boats at his disposal;
I would beg strongly to recommend him to your Excellency's
favourfible notice.

The good efferfs of the boat system, I am happy to hear,
have already brgun tosliowout, ahd vessels are taking codfish
within two or three miles of the shore, where three weeks ago
they had a sorry day within seven or eight.

AH these facts make it evident to me, that the preservation
of the spawning ground, and a slight check on the weir system,
arc the sheet anchor of the fisheries. Men, not weir holders, all
naturally complain of this wholesale way of fishing, as destruc-

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Appendix.

No. 22

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tive to their less extensive means of catching the herrings, both
to serve as bait and for shipping for the market. I will not
attempt to offer suggestions on a subject which has been so
repeatedly brought forward, and which must necessarily involve
a war of party.

One fact, however, 1 would bring before your Excellency's
notice : it is this — The limits of the spawning ground off the
Southern Head of Grand Manan, as established by the recent
law, are between Bradford's Cove on the west, and Red Point
on the eastern side of the Island. Had the law included Brad-
ford's Cove, giving the Point usually called '• Pandora Head"
as the extreme limit of the forbidden ground during the spawn-
ing season, much advantage might have arisen. I will state
on personal and other authority, that there have been an immense
number of herrings in Bradford's Cove, since the commence-
ment of the spawning season this year ; and that fishermen,
driven from the Southern Head by the " Persian's" boats, or a
wholesome fear of the law, having Bradford's Cove under their
lee. may set law at defiance, and have still a prospect of a
bointiful harvest in the herring line.

To corroborate the truth of my assertions, I may add that on
the 22d of August, Mr. Alexander, Warden of Grand Manan,
starred in the second gig of the " Persian," and in rounding
the Southern Head found no vessels there, (in fact they had
been scared from it on the preceding nights,) but at Bradford's
Cove, in spite of a heavy swell from the southward, several
vessels were fishing ; one, the property of Mr. Kay, of Deer
Island, (an inveterate poacher,) against whom I have already
lodged an information with Captain Robinson, for being anchored
oft" the Southern Head with no good intents, and insolence to
my boat's crew ; and whom I trust your Excellency may visit
with your displeasure. Five barrels of herrings, many among
them spawning, were found in one boat alone ; and other fishing
boats engaged, were seen at the same time taking them in as
fast as pof:sible.

» With regard to the eastern boundary of the spawning ground,
I may also mention that the herring is said to spawn in what is
called " Long Pond Beach," still further to the northeast than
Red Point, (I would here call your Excellency's attention to
the enclosed chart), the afiixed spawning limit ; moreover,
between Red Point to the north point of Wood Island, there
are actually weirs laid down, which must necessarily interrupt
the course of myriads of fish, which, had they been allowed to
pass the channel unmolested, would have deposited their spawn
w ithin the prescribed limits. Independent of this, these weirs
offer a great obstruction to the free navigation of the channel
between Red Point and Wood Island ; and I would \e«turc
to suggest their entire removal.

For the protection of the spawning ground of Graml Manan,
I consider a stationary force absolutely necessary, one which

No. 22

Appendix.

255

Light

might be independent of all other fishing stations; and if my
humble recommendation be held valid, I should say an estab-
lishment much on the principle of our Coast Guard Service,
would answer every purpose, without involving the Province ia
any very great expense ; in fact, it might almost pay itself. In
the summer, during the spawning season, it would be most
efficient in guarding the whole ground of the Soatliern Head,
and in winter, and occasionally in summer also, the boats might
be rendered, in the hands of Providence, the means of saving
many lives and much property, which, under the present system
on this dangerous part of the coast, (it is to be feared,) too
often finds its way to the bottom, or into the hands of mercenary
and often lawless gangs of wreckers : a system not sufficiently
to be condemned.

I would recommend a boat house, with boat and crew, (not
residents of Grand Manan) stationed at Seal Cove, near the
present residence of M'Laughlin, which commands a good view
of the Gannet Sock Light House, from which signals of distress
are always fired in cases of wreck or danger to vessels : and
which is, in fact, in constant communicatic^i with the
House, it being kept by M'Laughlin's son.

For a boat I should say those in use by the Deal men of the
present day might be rendered available ; they are easily hauled
up, pull fast, and stand well under canvas, and are constantly
known in England to carry out a large anchor and cable, in a
strong gale and heavy sea, to a vessel in distress.

Two boats and cre,vs (one being spare) would be sufficient
for the sj>awning ground ; and a small cutter or schooner, (say
30 tons) with an active commander, would find it easy work
not only to guard the whole coast of the Island against the
intrusion of foreigners, but in a case of emergency, such as in
bad weather, to carry a boat from one point of the station to
another.

Moreover, when the ground is once distinctly marked out,
the vessel and boats might be mainly instrumental in checking
the practice of indiscriminately throwing the gurry overboard,
which is universally complained of.

According to Mr. Brown, (Warden of Charlotte County,) not
only the Americans but our own people, are in the habit of
throwing their gurry overboard in every harbour of Passama-
quoddy, more especially Head Harbour.

At Grand Mnnan the same complaints have been made to
me ; many I luive cautioned against it, but the (Question is imme-
diately asked — •' Where are we to throw it ?" By referring to
the WardrnH, If npprnrs that this point is not very accurately
defined at present. Tho practice of throwing the gurry or oftal
iiiiliHcriminHtcly is highly injurious, not only because it tends
to 6oare ctnlnin kinds of fish -for instance, herrings— but that
it r^ nders the fish less dainty ; and those which gorge it, such
JB» c«>dfish and Juiddock, totally unfit for the market ; where it

256

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No. 22

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is throvi^ii overboard or deposited on the beach near herring
weirs, not a fish is to be taken.

It is thus accounted for : the gurry becomes decomposed on
the bottom where it has settled, and an oil is generated which
seems to deter the herring from playing in shore ; just as the
bilge-water from the fishing boat i« said by the fishermen (and
I see no reason to dispute it) to scare the ravenous shark, whom
they all hold in great dread.

Again, when the olial or gurry is left on tlie beach, the heat
of the sun extracts the oil, and being blown off by a westerly
or northwesterly wind to the fishing ground, tends to deter the
herrings ; however plentiful the hake be at the time, (I allude
more especially to the ground between Swallow's Head and
Long Island-,) there will not be enough taken even for bait.

All this seems to advocate the necessity of some defined
ground for ** throwing the gurry" into the deep sea ; that is,
whatever is not necessary for manuring the land. And now,
having partially touched on the more important points of
improvement, judging by my own slijnfht experience, aided
by the sound opinions of men more practically interested in the
way of catching fish, I would revert to another point of no less
importance, that is the mode of turning the produce of the fisher*
man's industry to a good account in the market.

That much yet remains to be effected in the way of curing
(dsh, is an indisputable fact evident to the most ordinary expe-
rience : on this head it is unnecessary for me to dwell otherwise
than briefly.

The establishment of Societies among the different fishing
districts, so warmly encouraged by your Excellency, and so
zealously and ably put in motion by Members of the Provincial
Assembly, for exciting a spirit of competition among the fisher-
men, towards bringing their produce to the highest state of
saleable excellence, cannot fail to work out the most beneficial
effects ; the formation of two of these Societies under the able
direction and untiring «eal of abrother officer, (Cant. Robinson,)
«it Campo Bello, and Mr. Alexander, at Grand Manan, I have
had the satisfaction of witnessing in person, and with real
pleasure have attended their meetings during the formation of
the Society.

From what t have gathered, the main causesof the inferiority
hitherto of the fish in the market were these :— First— That
fishermen returning from their cruise are often too wearied
mid exhausted to pay sufficient attention to the thorough curing
and putting up of their cargo, nor have they the means of
deputing the taok to others.

S<;oondly — The Grand Manan and Quoddy fish are said to
be inferior in quality to i hose of Nova Scotia, for the reason
that the Merchants of Eastport (to which market the former is
cliiefly sent fur sale) seem to care but little whether it be well
or iM rured. '

No. 22

Appendix.

257

Thirdly — -The weekly labours of the fisherman usually closing
on Friday or Saturday, he is contented with the operation of
the knife only, throwing his fish on the beach where it is left
until Saturday evening, when he takes it to the merchant who
is willing to buy it in that state ; now, it is said that the fish
taken immediately from the knife cures well, but if kept any
time its quality deteriorates considerably.

The best remedy against all these, must necessarily be that
tspirit of emulation which the prizes awarded by the Fishing
Societies cannot foil to excite, as time will shew.

With regard to the intrusion of foreign vessels upon pur
fishing grounds, I have certainly heard complaints in Passa-
maquoddy Bay, more especially about Head Harbour, where
they are more or less secured from notice, but none have come
under my immediate notice.

In Grand Manan, since many of the leases of weirs are held
by Americans, there must ever be a certain degree of clashing
interests^ the latter having so ready an excuse for proximity
to our shores.

The fishermen from Luboc seem to give most cause for com-
plaint among those of Grand Manan, while those from other
places in Maine are well disposed and fraternize with our British
subjects ; on Saturday evening, a whole flotilla of American
boats may be seen steering for Woodward's Cove, wherein to
spend their Sabbath.

The latter (chiefly owing, I presume, to the bounty on ton-
nage, long obsolete in our Fisheries,) are larger and better found
generally ; so that it is hard for the British fisherman, with his
more primitive gear, to compete with his opposite neighbours
in the deep-sea fishing. The Nova Scotia and Saint John vessels
■come more or less under the same head, and are loudly com-
plained of by the more humble fishermen on the Grand Manan,
as marring the products of their industry. And lastly, to touch
upon such points relative to the safe navigation, and the dan-
gerous rocks and shoals on the eastern side of Grand Manan,
which I have had an opportunity of visiting.

The Light House so judiciously placed on an isolated rock,
(the Gannett) a beacon for the most dangerous ledges, I could
wish to bring under your Excellency's notice.

Within tlie last few years I am told, the stone wall four feet
thick and eighteen in height, has been built round the Light
House which is of wood, and it strikes me of somewhat fragile
eonstrnctioa, considering that it is of single shingle, through
which in many places dayHght ma_/ be seen.

Had the wall been raised a few feet higher a great point had
been gained, as well for the security of the Light House as for
the comfort and convenience of the watchmen ; as it is, that
portion of the building assigned for their six months stock of
water, oil, &c., is not enclosed by the stone wall ; the conse-
t}uence of this is, that during the rigours of the winter senson,
to prevent it being frozen, it is necessary to remove it to their

17

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Appendix.

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own apartments, wlterc they are necessaTily wmch limbered up
and pushed for room, which they ean ill afford*

Complaints are also made of the bad quality of the oil snp'
plied ; whale oil is recontmended for summer consumption, that
of porpoise and seal, which is less liable to be frozen, for tho"
winter ^ on this depends, of course, the regular working of tbo
machinery.

With regard to the latter, the two separate machines arc
necessary in the event of accident to one ; the one in common
use is certainly somewhat worn, although still serviceable and
tolerably regular in its movements ; in summer there is less to-
affect this regularity than in winteFr when the machinery i« apt
to get hard during the severe weather,, and a greater weight \%
necessary.

In order to regulate the latter to the 'temperature, I would
strongly advocate the same kind of weights as used for the
safety valves of oar steanv engines ^ whereby, with little troublev
it may be increased or diminished in proportion to the want*
of the machinery.

The planking round the foundfition should be ripped up, and
the foundation of the wall looked to ; the Roman cement where-
with it is seemed to the solid rock is working out in more than
one ])lace ; also that part of the building of residence attached
to the Light Hous€ seems to require some protection on the
southwest, where the rocks, either by their natural shape, or
worn by the sea, offer little protection from the prevailing winds.
Should it ever be the intention of the (Government to establish
a general system of coast blockade for the protection of the
fisheiies of the Bay, or even to endeavour to effect the same
purpose by means of a certain limited number of small vessela,
(which I have heard is in contemplation,) it may be incumbent
on me to offer ome few remarks on the different harbours of
refuge which the locality offers, whicJi I have made a point oT
visiting.

Two Island Harbour, and also Three Island Harbour, are
well adapted for boats or small vessels — the latter of the two
is the best sheltered from the S. W., or the prevailing wind in
the summer ; both are secured from the wind on the opposite
quarter, and both command a view of the Southern Head spawn-
ing ground^ and are within an easy distance of theGannetfiock^
and the scene of so many wrecks, (the Murr Ledges.)

Totlve N. E. again, on the eastern side of Whitehead Island,
is another beautiful littleharbour for fishing beats, or even large
vessels driren for shelter from the fury of a southwester ; and
here may be seen, when the weather is threatening in that
quarter, a whole fleet of fishing boats riding securely at anchor;
as many as one hundred and fifty vessels^ according to the
account of Mr. Wra. Frankland, who resides there, (the best
pilot on the Island, and whose services I lately hired to carry
me to the assistance of a schooner on the Murr Ledges,) have'
been at anchor together..

'I 'H- d'

■<(

Xo. 22

Appendix.

250

land^
arg'e
and
that
;hor;
the
best
Barry
re

By an outlay of £150 upon a Breakwater, the pool or
upper end of the cove, would be converted into a perfect minor
harbour, where small vessels might ride secure from all winds.

The fishermen also of Gull Cove have petitioned me to move
the higher powers of the Province to fix a bell worked by clock-
work on Giill Rock, on the eastern side of the Island, as a guide
in time of fog; they have all, moreover, expressed their willing-
ness to defray the expenses of the bell by subscription.

There has been good line-fishing off the Rips S. E. of White-
head Island this year, while further south the fishing boats have
had to go a greater distance with indififerent success. Her-
rings, however, have befen scarcer this year on the ripplings
than any preceding one ; thirty six vessels out on the 27th and
28th ult. caught none, whereas in former years one hundred
barrels would commonly fall to the share of each vessel ; and
yet, this year, the shrimp,, the favourite prey of the herring, is
said to be in great abundance.

I have merely alluded to the above facts, to prove that White-
head Island is a profitable fishing station ; and that, therefore,
a little money spent in Gull Cove might not be thrown away.

On the western side of the Island there is but little shelter ;
Dark Harbour, with a small outlay, however, might be rendered
a host in itself. Vessels of any size, might there find perfect
shelter from any wind or sea, in from nine to twelve fathoms.

A naturf^l breakwater, sloping on both sides, and rising about
ten feet above high water mark, crosses a snug Bay three
quarters of a mile in length, and half a mile across.

An entrance through the bank, or natural breakwater, has
been already cleared out, of one hundred and fifty feet in width
at high water, and abort sixty at low ; in depth, twelve feet in
spring tides, and seven in ordinary ones.

By the temporary use of a Dredging Machine, (I believe
there is one at Saint John), working during thefiiO season, the
channel might be rapidly cleared, so that even Her Majesty's
cruisers, or other vessels in distress, might find shelter in all
weathers, and the former might serve to detect certain breaches
of the law which are carried on in this vicinity with the main
land, and of which I have had of late some practical experience;
not only are stragglers or deserters here shipped off", (on which
subject I have already addressed your Excellency,) but also
much of the spirits, by which seamen are frequently stirred to
desertion, is here landed in defiance of the laws, Avhich, in fact,
there are few there willing to enforce.

And now, having endeavoured briefly to lay before your Ex-
cellency such remarks as my duty enjoins, and which it is my
sincere wish may meet your approbation, I will conclude by
saying, that should it ever be my lot to see any of my sugges-
tions brought intofcffect, I should have the inexpressible
satisfaction of feeling that my limited time within your Excel-
lency's command, has not been thrown away.

His Excellency Sir E. W. Head, Bart., ?
Lieut. Gov. of the Province of New Brunswick. J

<**

260

Appendix-

No. 23

•K

( No 23. )
FISHERY SOCIETIES.

[ i

m

At tlie Session of the Legislature in 1851, the follovring Appro-
priation was made : —

" To His Excellenoy the Lieutenant Governor or Administrator
of the Government for the time being, the sum of five hundred
pounds, for the encouragement of the Fisheries ; the said money to
be advanced in the same way, and in like proportions, as the money
at present granted for the encouragement of Agricultural Societies.'^

In consequence of this appropriation, letters were addressed, by
the Provincial Secretary, to the Clerks of the Peace in those
Counties interested in the Fisheries, stating that His Exoellenoy
the Lieutenant Governor recommended the establirhment of* Fish-
ery Societies," upon a system similar to that on which Agricultural
Societies have been formed — any such Fishery Society, upon
subscription and payment by its members, of not less than twenty
pound^, to be entitled to receive from the Provincial Treasury, a
sum equal to three times the amount so raised, to be applied in the
distribution of prizes, or in any other way, which, in tlie judgment
of the Society, might best tend to promote the desired object.

In Charlotte County, three Societies were immediately f>rmed \
the first of these was at Grand Manan, the Constitution of which
has been adopted by the Societies formed subsequently. This
Constitution is as follows:-^

CONSTITUTION.

ArHcle I. — The stjle of tbis Society shall be, the " Grand Manan Tlshery
Society," for the encoomgement of the Fisheries; and ita object shall be, to
improve the condition ofthia important branch of our industry, by such practical
and effective means as may be suggested, and approved, at any regular meeting
of the Society, or by any Committee, whose acts may be approved and adopted.

2.— The Society shall consist of such inhabitants of this Parish as may signify
their wish, in writing, to become members, and who shall pay, on subscribing,
not less than one dollar ; and honorary and corresponding menibp's may be
admitted by vote of the Society without payment ; providedialways, ti.at Presi-
dents of other <* Fishery Societies," or delegations from the same shall, m qfficia,
he members of this Society without payment ; apd provided also, (hat the pay-
ment of five pounds, or more, shall constitute a member for life, and exempt the
donor from annual contributiont. ' '

3.— The officers of this Society shall consist of one President, one Vice
President, a, Ueeording Secretary, a Corresponding Secretary, an<l a Tremsorcr,
with twelve Directors, five of whom shall constitute a quorum* ' t . ■ > .

4. — The general dnties of Uie officers of this Society shall be 81 fdltows;-*-

The President, (or in bi» absence, the Vice President,) ihall presid* at tlwp
regular meetings of the Society, preserve strict order, and put to vote all
questions submitted, which shall be determined by the majori-ty then present.
He is also expected to take a prominent part in originating, and bringing brfore
the Society^ such measures as may appear to him calculated to promote its
intere^tsit Bad shall do and. perfsrm such other acts, aa may be required «£ him,
by this Constitution, or by vote of the Society.

The Recording Secretary shall keep the minutes of JbC' Society, in a book t9
|,e procured for the purpose.

The Corregponditig Secretary shtll carry on a correspondence with other
Societies, and with individuals, in furtherance of the objects of the Sosiety*

*i

No. 23

Jppendix.

261

i9

The Treagoivr shaU collect and receive the funda of the Society, and keep
thein in euch manner ^is the Society luay determine ; and slinll only dinlturse
tlii'in on order of the Presiden', countersigned by the Recording Secretary ;
and fihnll make a report of the receipts and expenditures, at the nniiunl meet-
ing in November, in each year. The Officers of this Society shall take cnre
ol, nnd distribute, or preserve, all articles which may be transmitted to the
Society, aud Khali nUo have the charge of all communicationg designed or cal-
culated for publication ; and so iar as they may deem expedient, shall collect,
arrange, aad publish the same, in such manner and form as they shall consider
best calculated to promote the objects of the Society ; and shall cause an annual
report of the doings of the Society to be published.

S. — A special Committee, or Committees, for any purposes connected witli the
interests ol the Society, may be appointed at any regular meeting by the rc^^olu-
tion of the majority then present.

6. — Tlieje shall be two rt>gular meetings of the society, within the Parish, at
any place that may be detcrmiued upon by the President, in'each year, namely —
<in the first Tuesday in November, nnd the first Tuesday in May ; all the officers
of the Society shall be elected by a plurality of votes at the annnal meeting in
each year, aud at least eight days notice he given of each meeting, to be posted
up in the most conspicuous places in the Parish.

7- — The President may nt any time call a meeting of the Officers and Com-
mittee of the Society, for the tran»action of business connected with the Society,
five of whom f^all constitute a quorum — due notice of which meeting shall be
given to each iiulividual composing said Committee.

8. — I'his Society shall hold an annual show, or fair, at such central point in
the Parish, as may be determined by the Officers and Directors, and prizes in
money, or a medal, (at the option of the person to whom such prizes may be
iiwnnied.) shall he given to the successful competitors in fish — the varieties of
ii«>h, and quantities, on which prizes are to be awarded, as also the amount of
})rize6, to be determined by the Officers and Directors of the Society ; and the
jinnual shows, or fairs, sliall be held on the first Tuesday of November, in each
year, and notice of the kinds and quantities ol fish to compete for the prizes to
be awarded, shall be given, at least, thirty days before the exhibition.

9. — None bot tnembers of this Society shall be competitors for the prizes, and
prior to «he annual show, or fair, the Officers nnd Directors of the Society shall
appoint Ufibiassed iimpires, who shall give their decisions as to the qua'.ity of thr
fiAx competing for the prices, and whose decisions shall be final and conclusive.

10. — It s' 11 life in the {tower of this Society to award to any officebearer, or
office-bear lor services actually performed, such remuneration as may appear
necessary •enable, and just.

1 1. — TIm Mual incouj' of the Society, together with any grant made by the
<^overnm«'iit o this Provitice, shall be appropriated and applied to premiums,
upon fisli, the catch and cnre of any member of the Society, under such rules
and regulations as the C^icers and Directors may declare.

12. — Any member of Uiis Society producing fish for competition at the annua'
f^how, or I (ir, tor premium, not actually belonging to and cured by himself, or
bv some a ember of the Society, shall be considered guilty of an attempt to
defeat the objict of the Society, and si ill be disqualified from being a member
thereof.

13.— Upon application to the Secretary, any member can have access to the
rules aad regulations.

14. — This Con- itution shall be construed liberally in favour of carrying out
the avowed objects of this Society, and may be amended by a vote of two-thirds
rtf the tnembern, attending any annual meeting in November in each year ;
jHOvided that notice J*e given in writing at the previous half-yearly meeting,
>^l I'oifying the intended amendment.

\fter the adoption of this (Constitution, John Dog^&t was t ';ted
President; Lorenzo Drake, Vice President ; John Alexa.ider,
Corresponding and Recording Secretary, with Philip Nevrtnn,
Treasurer, and a Board of twelve Directors. Some very spirutrd

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262

Appendix.

No. 23

'{%:

' %

reBolntions were passed, expressive of the benefits expected to flow
from the formation of the Societv, and the combined efforts of fisher-
men generally, — the whole concluding with a vote of thanks to
Sir Edmund Head, for the interest he has taken, and continues to
take, in the Fisheries. • :■ '• m , ,■>•■■■■ ^ '

Tlie Grand Manan Society has subscribed, and paid in to their
Treasnrer, the sum of twenty six poands; their first shoxvoffish
took place on the 4th day of November, 1351, agreeably to the
Constitution. ,. ;•.;,.

.1 ■;:

•! t,

At the meeting held at Campo Bello, for the formation of a
Fishery Society there, Capt. J. J. Robinson, R. N., M. P. I'.,
spoke at some length.

The gallant captain said, that the formation of Fisiving Societies
was the commencement of a new era for fishern.en, as by sncii
combinations, they would acquire a position timt wonild not only
benefit themselves, but also benefit the general trade oftiie country.
He alluded to the value of the exports of fish from Nova Scotia
last season, more especially from Halifax ; to the impetus which
had been given ti> agriculture, by the formation of x\gricultural
Societies in every district, to the money that had been spent fop
procuring agricultural information, and for Professor Johnston's
survey and report, — and said, that the like expenditures would be
made for the promotion of the fisheries, if the fishermen united and
made conmion cause. *' We have already many friends," said
Captain Robinson, " and shall get many nmre. Last year. Sir
Edmund Head sent Mr. Perley down to inspect our fisheries, (and
considering the limited time he had to do it in, his report is an able
one, in my opinion, and our Wardens state to me, that wherever
they have been, it is correct,) and I would mention here, that na
one in tlie Province has the welfare of the fislieries ntore at heart
than our iespected Governor. 1 am peisnaded, that he at least
will give us all the assistance in his po»yer ; he has repeatedly
writtfi. to me, expressing his lively interest in the subject, and
approving of such proceedings as those we are ndw met for." It
was then explained to the meeting, that if they subscribed £20,
they would be entitled to draw three times that amount from the
Provincial Treasury ; and that the ^noney would be entirely under
the control of the Society itself, to be expended in objects con-
nected with the advancement of the fisheries. '^

Capt. Kynaston, of H. M. 8. Persian, also attended the meeting,
and made a very neat speech, expressing his readiness to aid, in
any way, the protection of the fisheries, or their advancement, and
concluded by subscribing one day's pay toward the funds cf the
new Society, to which he wished every success.

The sum of twenty five pounds was subscribed, aud paid in by
the ** Campo Bello Fisliing Society," and, the first sl\ow of fish
was advertised as follows : —

. ill'MlW'tT'Xftii

■ ki: v>li

! i

I'^'CAMPO BELLO FISHING SOCIETXi'S FIRST S»OW OF FISH.

TV first Aqbu.1 Show of the Campo Bello Fishing Society, will be held at
the Govemment Stores In WelKh[)oo1, In the PaHsh of Campo Bello, on Toesdajr
the 18tb day uf Noveibher, at 10 o'clock, a. u., wlirn the following Pfei»i«xiA

No. 23

Appendix^

S63

•will be awardpa opcm fbe YiEh exiiibited, sobjcct to tlie Keg«lation8 liereinafter
riaen Honed.:

/' Codl^tsh. ' '■.. :'

let premium £2 10s., .2d prenoium £2 5s., au^ 3d proiuium £2, for the 1st,
2i and 3d best quintal taken during the present «ea«on.

5 qwiwtakto be cuped, i ^uktal'to'be shown,

f)ry Ptillnck.

1 St premiuTO £2 3s.., 2d -premium £2, Sd^pretnictni £1 ^Ss., far the l«t, 2d
.and .3d best< quintal taikeiKluring the^n-eseutseaiion.

-5.<]uititals to be <;ttr«d, i quiutai to be-rnowiu

Istpreiaiura £\ 5s., M premium £1 2 (», .3J preoiiBiB :£1^ /er<l»e<l9t, 2d
and 3d best quintal taken during the pres^'Bt peasou.
^5 q^intak to be teken, i quintal to be 8howa. *,\

Haddock.
1 st tjremiimi £1 3s., 2d prefninm £1 2 6, 3d premitiia £1, fcr tlie Jst, 2d
;and 3d beet-quiiithl taken -during .(be {^resent •seaeosu
-5q«untals to be t.itkeii, 1 /quintal to lie «hown.

Mackerd.
Jst-preiniuui £1 -Ifts., 2d.prcmiaui £.1 5s., 3d premium XI, Airthe l«t, 2d
and 3d best barrel taken during the present season.
»') baiTe1«'to'b«"tak«*u., 1 barrel to'be sdioKiu

PMckd Hcrrinj. ' -

1st premium £2 lOs., 2d premium £2 Ss., 3d premiam £2, forthe Ast, .2d
a«d-3d befit barrel taken daring the present eeaeefi.

-5 barrels <o be taken, 1 barrel tobf sbawiu '

Quodiy .JSwer Merriug.
Istppemvum £2 l<Os., .2d premium £2 58.,. 3d premium £2, (or the .ist, 2d
;£ud 3d best barrel taken during the .present season.
^ barrels to be taken, .1 barrel to be shown.

Sniolted iHerrinff.

\H premium £2 12 6, 2d premium £2 5s», for the l&t and .2d best «moked
Merring taTcon durir.fi; the present season.
-100 tuxes^to fee taiken, 1^ boxes to be shown,
• ' ' ' ' Smoked Haddock.

1«t -premium 17&'^d., 2d premium 15s., for th« 1st and 2d heek smdilced
31addaek<^ared during .the present season.
. 50&S. to be 6hu««n.

.Yavmoidh Sloatei's.
Preuinm 15s. for the'tvo best boxes, to became the property^f tbe-Sooletjr
.and be xIi«posed of as tlie J<udges may direct,

;■,,'..;■■. ",■,,"',■. '■ RBGC'LAtriows, .,

1st. In -all r!>se« with parties -showing Fish, a «ertificate from two memberB t^
-<he Society, as to the artnal quantity caught, wilt be ne<ies6ary.

2nd. All fish <or competition ivMintbe delivered at Welshpeol, te D. Bennett,
'^aq., Secretary, '(who will.give <i certificate f«ir the- same,) not less than one day
(previous to ilie ex-hibitiun.

Jam«S'Brown,£8q., J. P., and Mr.. Joseph PaHsh, (whowill4:hoo6ieAn umpire,)
will act afl Judgos upon :the eecafiiou.

Jiy order of the Board.

' 15. 'Bennkt, Seiretai'g.

At a Ba<>«Ci«g held <»n the 20th SepteaiW 135 1, at €lMC<»kte
•Cove, In Deer Island, a Society was formed there, under the name
<of " The We«t Isles Fishery Society," which has since subscribe^j
aftod paid in i» the Treasurer, the isujii oi forty four ^imda.

( if

■ ■

,!:

264 AppendtT. N«. 24

( Xo. 24. )

THE CURE OP^ FISH.

The fallowing admirable directions for taking and cmring Her-
rings, and other fishes, published by the Board of British Fisheries,
were reprinted in this Province by orler of His Excellency the
Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, for ger>eral circulation,,
because the instruction and information tlvey convey, are ealculated
to be most useful to the fisliermen, and £sh-curer», of New Bruns-
wick. )t need not be pointed out, tlwt some of the details, may
be inapplicable to the Fisheries on the Coasts of North America,,
having been framed with reference to official arrangements in
Scotland ; but apart from this, the directions will be found excee<l-
ingly valuable: —

DIRECTIONS FOR T^IKING AND CURING FERRFNGS.

Printed and circulated by the Ho . the Commissioners of the Board of Fisheries,

Fresh Herrings, when in primt condition, form a cheap, delicate,
and nutritious article of food, and when promptly and efEciently
cured, they become valuable as provision. But their value in tliese
respects must necessarily depend entirely on the condition of the
fish when caught, and on the degree of promptitude and care whicli
may be exercised in curing them.

Herrings, in regard to their condition, may be divided into three-
classes, via: Maties— Full Fish— and Spent or Shotten Fislu
Maties are those fisii in which the roes and milts are perfectly but
not largely developed- and it is well to understand, that this is the
state of the fish in which it is truly in the best condition for food —
and when it will be found most delicious to eat, as well as most
nutritive^ Although it does not exhibit, wiiilst in this condition,
so bulky an appearance as it does when it is in that of a full fish,
it is in reality much fatter, for the bulk of the full fish is^ deceptively
produced by the great enlargement of the roe or milt, iknd this does
not take place without a corresponding diminution of the body of
the fish. The full fish, however, are those which are most sought
after in a mercantile point of view, because of their larger appear-
ance. The spent or shotten fish having just performed their
function of spawningj and having been thereby reduced to a misera-
ble, lean, and poor state, are unpalatable, and more or less unwhole-
some as food when in a fresh state, and in a still greater degree
when cured. Tlie more immediately they are taken after spawning
the worse they will be, and the lo»iger the time that expires after
their perforntance of that function, tlie less unpalatable or unwhol<f-
some they will become. But it is always advisable to avoid taking
or using them in any way, until they slmll have had time to be fully
recruited, after tlwir thorough exhaustion from spawning.

Tlie different classes of persons directly employe<l iu tlte trade
which produces the article of commerce, called salted or pickled
herrings, are fishermen, fishfcurers, gutters, packers, and coopers,
and if the portion of wofk which more immediately belongs to each
of these classes be in any instance improperly performed, the whole
value of the article may be ao impaired &» ta be rendered aUogether

No. 24

Appendix.

265

unmarkethble. Each class, therefore, should perform its duties
carefully and expertly, so that by the care and attention exercised
by all of them towards one object, their united exertions may bring
the manufactured fish to the Inghest degree of perfection of which
it is capable. If the fishermen are so careless in handling the fish
as to injure them in any way, the niiscliief cannot be repaired by
curers — and if curers fail in their pi^rt, the exertions of gutters nnd
packers will avail nothing in making amends for their neglect ; and
although all these ma_y have done their parts well, if coopers be in-
attentive to their particular duty, the fish, however well cured, may
be destroyed. Hence it is neceissary to have tlie most vigilant
superintendence overall these departments, which, if properly exer-
cised, will not much increase the expense of production, whilst it
will insure well-cured herrings, and a ready market, and likewise
raise the character of our British fisheries still higher in foreign
countries.

FISHERMEN.

It is advisable, in the first place, to consider those things that
require to be attended to in the capture of the fish. The Dutch
mode of taking them, by employing vessels of from HO to 90 tons,
has many advantages over that of our British fishermen, who use
boats ^nly, and especitl'y that of enabling the crews to cure their
herrings immediately on board, and almost before they are well dead.
This may be considered as one great cause of the superior flavour
of Dutch-cured fish, as the fish nuist suffer to a certain extent every
moment they remain without having salt applied to them. In one
point, however, our boats have an advantage over the Dutch vessels,
that much finer netting can be used in them, the weight of the
Dutch vessels requiring stronger nets, made of heavier twine, which
is not likely to be so successful in taking fish as nets made of twine
of a finer description. Any general introduction of the use of sucii
vessels as are used by the Dutch, l\pwever, cannot perhaps be
looked for ; but it may be pointed out as a thing most desirable,
that the boats employed by our fishermen should be as large as
possible, to be convenient for rowing in calms. Were well-built,
well-rigged, and well-found boats of from 15 to 18 tons more com-
mon amongst our fisshermen than they are, and were these always
manned by at least six men and a boy, we should hear of fewer lives
being lost — and much more might be achieved by hardihood in
contending with heavy seas and gales of wind, and thus much more
fish might be captured. But this is not all— for although the fish
when caught could not perhaps be cured directly on board of such
boats, as tliey are with so much advantage in the Dutch vessels,
they could, at least, be much better preserved until landed, than
they possibly can be in smalW boats. The boat ought to be put
into perfect, order, and properly tarred, and the tar well hardened
before the fishing season commences, for if the tar happens to have
been too recently applied, those fish which accidently touch the
skin of the boat, will be contaminated with a taste of tar, and as
early caught fish are often slightly salted and hurried to market, to
obtain high prices as an immediate delicacy, if the flavour or even
the smell of tar is perceptible in the pickle or fish of a single barrel^

266

Appendix.

No. 24

li i!.

I

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'■■ii ■;

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iiiilli

iii^!^^!'

the character of the wliole parcel may be injured. It is most essen-
tial that all boats should be furnished with pumps, the occasional
ivorking of which, if necessary, will keep the boat dry, for nothing
is found to be more prejudicial to the fish than their being per-
mitted to wash backwards and forwards in a bath of sea- water,
filling the bottom of the boat, by which they have their scales
rubbed off by friction against each other, and they are macerated
in such a manner as to lose the greater and richer part of their
natural juices, and to become flabby, unsightly and tasteless; and
if, in addition to the pump, the boat were floored with deal boards,
perforated with holes large enougli to allow any water that might
be shipped to find its way downwards, it would not only r "J greatly
to the comfort of the crew , but it would tend to keep the fish in
mtjch better state* till they should be landed. Bottom, or limber
boards, foot spars, and walking planks, may be considered as
essentials for the preservation of the fish. Wiienever the fibh are
landed, the liniber boards should be removed, and the whole interior
of the boat should be properly washed and scrubbed. This should
be done daily during the fishing season, and thus the glut is nnicli
more easily removed, and the boat is rendered clean, and freed from
all tajnt or smell, before proceeding to sea on each successive voyage.
Each boat should be provided with a comfortable place forward, for
the crew retiring occasionally to sleep or to shelter in, covered with
a half deck, and every man should have a comfortable oil-skin can-
vas coat and trowsers, i-nd boots ; and if each were to be provided
with the patent Edinburgh Safety Cape, invented by Mr. Simpson,
or such safety jackets as are now furnished to the Coast Guard,
many lives would be saved, which would otherwise be lost. As
every larg« boat may have a fire on board, coffee in any quantity
could be heated for the crew, and this would be found on trial to be
a much more comfortable and nourishing drink for them, and much
more enduring in its effects than any spirituous liquor, and free from
all after bad consequences. •

Where large fleets of fishing boats are assembled, it is a com-
mon practice for the whole fleet to follow the course pursued by
the first boat that puts to sea, and to run for the same fishing
ground. This may be a wise mode of procedure where the cer-
tainty of finding a body offish in that particular quarter may have
been already ascertained, but when this happens not to have been
the case, it would be much more advisabfe for the boats to go in
separate courses, so as to increase the chance of some of them
falling in with th*? body of fish ; and when that has been disco-
vered, the other boats of the fleet might afterwards join them, and
thus al! might fish successfully; whereas by the present practice,
if the fish are not encountered by the first boat, the whole fleet are
likely to be equally disappointed. Under any circumstances, the
boats should not crowd too much together, but leave sufficient
intervals «f room between each other, so that the trains of net
may be shot without any risk of one train interfering with, or get-
ting entangled with another. A good and efficient net ought to
be 50 yards long on the back rope, by 14 yards deep ; and a good
and proper train should contain 26 of these nets, hanging in 8nc>

No. 24

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267

cession from the back rope, thus containing altogether 18,200
square yards, stretching over a line of sea of 1300 yards in leiigtii.
The swing or net rooe shonld be about ISO yards long, so that the
whole lengtli of nets and line may stretch along M20 yards of sea,
or about four-fifths of a mile. These nets should be properly tan-
ned ; and if done with the drug called catechu, or terra japonica,
it will be found much bettor than oak-bark ; but care must be
taken when using it, not to overdo the process, otherwise the
meshes may become contracted, and too much hardened. Sir
William Burnet's patent likewise has been found extremely good
for the preservation of nets. And further, while on the subject
of nets, it may be well that fishermen should know that Messrs.
.lamieson, of Kilbirnie, and Mr. Paterson, at Musselburgh, have
manufactured a particular description of small twine for nets,
which, whilst it is equally strong vvitli the conwnon net, is njuch
less easily seen by the fish in the water, and has consequently
been found by experiments made by orders of the Board, to be
much more successful than the ordinary nets.

The train of nets having been carefully and regularly coiled up
in tlie boat, should, on arriving at the fishing ground, be gradually
shot out with equal care and attention, and then the boat lies with
the train attached to it. After the train shall have remained in
the water for such a length of time as may appear necessary for
allowing the herrings to mesh, dur'ng which time the nets must
have been occasionally pulled up a little and examined, so that
when no likelihood of herrings may appear, the nets may be hauled,
the ground shifted, and the nets shot elsewhere ; and when it is
found that the herrings have meshed, the train nmst be carefully
and not too rapidly hauled up. And now comes a part of the
fishing process which demands the most serious attention from the
fishermen, as the future value of the fish may be inmjensely dete-
riorated if this part of these instructions be neglected. The whole
of the fish should be carefully shaken out from each successive
part of the net as it is taken into the boat. If this is not done,
the herrings are liable to be much jerked about with every pull the
net receives whilst in the boat, and so they are stripped of their
scales, are bruised, torn, and broken, and become soft, and more
or less tainted, and consequently they are thus, even before cure,
rendered to a great extent unmarketable ; whilst herrings immedi-
ately shaken from the nets in the manner here- enjoined, being
alive at the time, fall easily from the meshes into the bottom of
the boat, where they remain in a beautiful state, with every sca'e
adhering to them, and continue firm and uninjured until the boat
reaches the beach, where they are immediately and promptly
delivered. To secure attention to this most impc-tant matter,
fish-curers, in contracting with fishermen, should make an arrange-
ment that all herrings brought to the shore in the nets should be
paid for at a reduced price ; and no indulgence should be allowed
as to this rule, unless in oases where stormy weather may have
rendered it impossible for the fishermen to shake the herrings out
of the nets whilst hauling. It becomes the more essential to
impress all this the more strongly both on fishermen and ourers.

i

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that the plan of shaking but the herrings from the nets as they are
hauled in but too seldom followed, and this in defiance of all the
means which the Board of Fislieries has taken to get the proper
practice pursued, its Commissioners having, so far back as the
22d .June 1816, issued, through its secretary, an order to its officers
to do all in their power to promote the adoption of this most im-
portant practice ; but notwithstanding all the exertions of the
officers, it is still very universally neglected. It is earnestly
hoped, however, that the fish-curers, to whom a mode of correcting
tiie evil has been pointed out as existing in their own hands, will
now seriously bestir themselves to put an end to the practice of
allowing the herrings to be brought ashore in the nets, which so
much destroys them even before a single step is taken in the pro-
cess of cure. Another precnuticm would be highly valuable if it
could be adi)pted. If a piece of an old sail were fitted so as to
cover the space from the mainmast of the boat to the pumps, the
iuoment after the herrings were shaken into it from the nets, and
made fast over each gunnel, so as not to interfere with the manage-
ment of the boat either in sailing or rocving, the fish would be kept
from all ri8k of suffering from the sun, and if a boat-hook or boom
were placed fore and aft under it, they would be protected both
from rain and sea water until ready for delivery. These precautions
would not onlv preserve the fish in prime condition till the curing
process should commence, but the boat's crew would find thf ir
account in attending to them, from the great saving of time and
labour which would thus be secured to them on their landing.
Thus a crew which might reach the shore at six o'clock, A. M.,
with a large take of herrings, having their nets all shaken, and the
fish ready for immediate removal, might land, spread their nets, or
hang them on the drying poles, and, in ordinary circumstances,
they might have their fish delivered by ten o'clock, get tijemselves
washed, and take their victuals, and then go to bed and sleep
comfortably four or five hours, after which they would have ample
time to mend their nets, and to carry them down to the boat, so
»s to be ready to proceed to the fishery, full of that strength,
vigour, and energy necessary to prosecute it successfully ; whilst
other fishermen, on the contrary, who have had similar success,
but who may have hauled their nets without shaking the fish out
of them, have all this to do after reaching the harbour, aitd that
with much difficulty, for it is often found to be so impossible to
draw the nets from under the fish, that those on the top require to
be shovelled to another part of the boat, or landed, before all the
nets can be gut out, the effects of all which on fish caught during
the hotter months may be easily imagined. But as regards the
fishermen themselves, from all these difficulties, the day is far spent
before the fish are delivered, and the nets all spread out cr hung
up, so that before they have reached home, washed and had food,
there is no time left for sleep, or for mending their nets, and the
preparation for the ensuing night'» fishery is begun without befit>
ting energy. Such crews, too, often arrive go late at the fishing
ground from these causes, that they cannot easily find a dear berth
to shoot their nets in ; and when they do obtain it, no sooner ara

■ H «

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are

the
>per
the

No. 24

Appendix.

2(59

the nets fairly out of the boat than the men are aaleep, or at all
events they u,,: so fatigued from want of rest, that they have not
courage to haul their nets; so as to change their ground if neces-
sary, and to take a second shot, and therefore, they thus too often
return disappointed.

When the herrings are landed from the boat, they ought to be
measured by the legal cran measure, and not counted, unless tht?
quantity taken be so small as not to fill a cran measure. As it
is for the interest of both fishermen and iish-curers that the Cran
measure should be used, as it affords the truest and justest mode
of dealing both for buyer and seller, every one should unite in put-
ting an end to the practice of reckoning the fish by numbers, as
the law is, that nothing is to be used but the cran measure, having
the brand of the Board of Fisheries on it.

FISH-CURERS.
If Fish*Curers have the desire they ought to have, to compel
the men who fish for them to handle the herrings with proper care
from the time of their capture to that of their delivery, they should
certainly do their best to set them a good example, by seeing that
every thing is done in their own department strictly as it should
be. If they leave their herrings after delivery in the curing boxes,
exposed to the sun or rain, it is not very likely that they will have
much influence in persuading the fishermen to shake the herrings
out of tlieir nets as they are hauling them, or to take any other
necessary precaution for their preservation, seeing that all such
care would be thrown away if the fish-curer should thus neglect
the herrings after he has received them. It is the fish-curer's
business, therefore, to see that the receiving boxes and tubs have
proper awnings over them, and likewise that the barrels, when
packed, are properly covered and protected from the sun and rain ;
and much of the good or bad character of British cured herrings
will depend on the attention which may be paid by curers to these
injunctions, for the neglect of them may, and probably will give an
incurable taint to the fish. The sooner salt is applied to the her-
rings the better, as it secures flie adhesion of the scales, so impor-
tant to the after appearance of the fish. For this purpose, salt
should be sprinkled over them as they are emptied in successive
portions from the Cran measure into the receiving or gutting*box.
All herrings should be gutted, cured and pacljed, on the day they
are caught. If this cannot be accomplished, they ought not to be
cured as gutted herrings. They may, however, be cured as un-
gutted herringsi, or made into red herrings.

' GUTTERS.

Gutting, and packing also, should commence immediately after
the first cran is delivered ; but this practice is too much neglected,
particularly on days when the fishing has been partial, of when the
state of the tide may have occasioned an irregular delivery. Al-
though a number of gutters are in attendance, they do not begin
until such a quantity of fish is delivered as will give constant em-
ployment to all. Thus unnecessary delay, exposure, and deterio-
ration of the fish take place *, all which might be obviated on such

270

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No. 24

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days, and tlic parties satisHed, by dividing the pttyiYient, for the
Tvliole number of barrels gutted and packed, equally among all.
A most important matter is, to see that the herrings are proper!y
picked and assorted into maties, full-fish, and spent'fish ; and
this should be done as the gutting goes on, by having baskets or
tubs for each particular sort ; and to prevent all after mistake, the
barrels into wliich these several sorts of fish art separately packed,
should be immediately, and severally, marked by means of a mark-
ing iron, with the respective letters, M , F , or S .

Great care should be taken by gutters and packers to remove
all fish which have lost their heads, or which have been broken,
bruised, or torn in the bellies, so that they may be packed
separately.

Dad gutting, and tearing the bellies of the fish, often arises from
the knives being blunt. To prevent this, the gutting knives should
be collected, and delivered to one of the coopers every evening,
who should have the particular dnty of 8?eing them all carefully
sharpened on a smooth stone, and returned to the gutters in the
morning. Due attention to this will be likely to produce neater
gutting ; the bones will be cut and not left exposed ; and the fish
will not present that ragged appearance which so often disfigures
them. Whether the fish are gutted for continental sale or for ex-
poitation out of Europe, the orifice left at the top of the belly of the
fish should be as small as possible, and particular attention should
be paid that the breast be not lacerated or torn down, so as to leave
the bones exposed. The incision with the knife should be made in
the throat quite down to the back bone, and the knife turned round
with the hand, and drawn upwards under the breast fins, and not
downwards along the belly of lire fish, otherwise the orifice will be
made too large, and the roe or milt will be exposed.

The fish must be cleared, not only of the gut, but of the liver,
stoniauh, and gills ; which last, being full of blood, is known to
taint the fish in a short lime after it is killed ; and the incision of
the knife should be made down to the back bone, so as to allow
the blood to flow freely from the, great blood-vessel of the fish,
which will tend much to the after preservation of the herring.

In order to understand the Dutch manner of gutting herrings,
we must suppose that the fish is held in the hollow of the left hand,
with its belly uppermost, and the h^ad and shoulders projecting
about an inch beforo'the fore-finger and thumb ; that the gutting-
knife is held in the right hand, with the fore-finger and thumb
grasping the blade to within an inch or so of the point ; let the
knife tlien be plunged into the throat of the fish a:t the side next
the right hand, and thrust,down so as to touch the back-bone, and
60 forced through to the other side, with the point a little projecting
therefrom, and let the fore-finger then be turned over the head of
the fish, and placed under the point of the knife, and the flat part
of the thumb laid on the breast-fins or grip of the fii^, and pressed
on the broad part of the knife ; the entrails are then to be gently
started, the gut and gib seized between the knuckles of the fore
and middle-fingers, and a sudden pull given, by which means the
crown-gut, anatomically called the pyloric appendages, wiU be left

No. 21

Appendix.

271

hanging from the body of the fish, while the gilld, fore-fins, heart;
]iver, &c , will fall into the hollow of the hand. This is what is
understood to be the mode of gutting practised by the Dutch, in
which it is necessary to observe, that only one pull is required to
bring away every thing that they consider to be necessary, when
the operation has been performed in a proper manner. In the
British method, the only difference is, that a second, and sometimes
even a third and fourth pull are necessary, because the whole of
the intestines, including the jrown«gut are extracted. It will thus
be found, that the breast or belly of the fish is most frequently la-
cerated in the act of removing those parts of the entrails, owing t»
the gutters making the poll downwards towards the tail of the fish,
instead of making it upwards towards the head. Curers should
therefore give the most particular instructions to their gutters to
make the pull upwards and not downwards, so as to leave the ori-
fice Bb small as possible, and to prevent the breast of the fish from
being torn. That mode of gutting by which the crown-gut is left
attached, is peculiarly well adapted for the continental market,
where it is believed that the crown-gut has a powerful influence ii>
improving the flavour of the fish, and where the appearance of the
herring is held to be greatly injured when it has been by chance
removed.

PACKERS.

The packing of the fish should be proceeded with as expeditioucly
as the gutting, and in fact, both operations sliould be carried on at
the same time, the usual proportion of persons employed being two
in gutting to one in packing. The moment the first herrings are
gutted, the curing process should begin. The proportion of salt to
be used must vary according to the season of the year and tli«
nature of the fish, as well as t'oe market for which it may be des-
tined. The Dutch use one barrel of small Spanish or Portuguese
salt for sprinkling eleven barrels of herrings, in order that they
may be more conveniently handled, and one barrel of great salt for
packing seven and a half or eight barrels of herrings for the Euro-
pean market ; and if this quantity should be found rather small, a»
additional plateful of salt is introduced into the middle of the caslc to
supply the deficiency. The calculation for each barrel of herrings
may be about five-sixteenths of a barrel of coarse Spanish salt.
It must be observed, however, that whilst the Dutch mode of cure
may produce a perishable article of luxury for the table, it is not
capable of producing that imperishable article of commerce re-
quired by British and continental merchants. But the parties
employed in the cure must be the best judges of the quantity of
salt to be used for the diJBferent markets for which the herrings may
be intended. It is, moreover, difficult to lay down any well defined
rule as to this point, from the circumstance^ that there are several
qualities and sizes of Liverpool fishing salt, which are of different
degrees of strength. Many cnrers use only one kind, whilst others
use a mixture, and very frequently both Lisbon and Liverpool salt
are jointly used for caring the herrings of the same barrel. Thus
the quantity of salt required for fish free from glut, and early salted
under cover, would be quite insufficient for fish mixed with glut.

I 1

272

Appendix.

No. 24

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and delivered in the afternoon of a sultry or vret day. ' It must be
remembered, however, that the use of Spanish or Portuguese salt
would produce a much better cured article than is produced by
Liverpool salt. The herrings are then carried to the rousing-tuba,
where they receive the first part of the cure, called rousing or roil-
ing—that is, working them well to and fro among salt. In per*
forming this operation, the packers should mix a proper quanHty
of salt among the fish as they are emptied into the rousing-tubs,
and the herrings should be turned over continually, until a proper
proportion shall have adhered to each. When this has been done,
a small quantity of salt should be scattered in the bottom of each
barrel, and the packer should begin by laying the herrings into the
barrel in regular tiers, each tier being composed of rows laid across
the barrel, takin^r care to keep th ^ heads of the herrings at each
end of the row, close to the inside of the staves of the barrel, with
their tails inward, and making up the deficiency in the middle of
each row by laying herrings in the same line. Care should be
taken to scatter salt on the heads. The head herrings should then
be placed. These are laid across the heads of tiie herrings already
forming the tier, and these herrings should also receive a sprinkling
of salt, which should likewise be thrown into the centre of the tier.
The second tier must be packed in the same way, taking care that
the herrings shall be placed directly across those of the first, and
so on alternately, tlie herrings of each successive tier crossing those
of that below it. A proportion of salt should be distributed over
each tier, St. Ube's or Lisbon salt being always preferred for this
purpose. When the barrel is completed, a little additional salt
should be put on the top tier. Herrings intended for the Continent
should be packed on their backs; but for the Irish market they
are preferred when packed flat, or more on their sides. The fish
in each barrel should be ah of the same kind and quality through-
out. The nefarious practice of packing inferior nerrings in the
middle of the barrel, or superior herrings at the top is always dis-
covered, sooner or later, to the confusion and loss of character of
the curer. The barrels should be filled above the chime of the
cask, in which state they are allowed to stand till the following
day, or even longer, when by the pining or shrinking of the her-
rings from the effects of salt, they fall down so much in the barrel,
that it requires to be filled up. The moment the barrels are
packed, they shouM be properly covered over, to prevent the sun's
rays or rain penetrating the fish. All vessels which go to cure on
open beaches or shores should be provided with old sails, or some
ether such covering, to protect the fish from the sun and rain ; for
if spread on the beach without any such protection, they will infal-
libly be spoiled.

COOPERS. ■

it is the duty of the cooper to see that all his barrels are properly
made, and of the legal size. U is of the greatest importance that
he should ascertain whether they are sufficieiitiy tight for con-
taining the original pickle, because there is no after remedy for the
evil effects producr in the fish by its escape. Barrels should be
constructed of well-seasoiicd wood, and be made tight in the bot-

No. 24

Appendix.

273

toms anti seams, an"! croae, by introducing tlio broad-leafed water
plant called the sedge or flag, which would tend to secure tho ori<
ginal pickle under all circumstances. During the period of th'*
curing, the cooper's first employment in the morning should be to
ejfaminc every barrel packed on tlie previous day, in order to dis-
cover if any of them have lost the mokle, so that he may havo all
such barrels immediately repacked, salted, and pickled. A very
common practice is to pour pickle repeatedly into barrels of the
previous day's packing, which have thus run dry, witliout having
m the first place, secured the leak ; and then afterwards to use the
herrings of such ilried barrels for filling up such barrels of herrings
as are well cured and tight. This is a prectice which should never
be allowed, as the distribution of these dry, and consequently bad
herrings, amongst tlie herrings of a number of otlierwise well cured
barrels, lias a tendency to destroy the whole.

As already stated, the cocper in charge should see that the
gutters are furni«hed every niiM'ning with sharp knives. He should
be careful to strew salt among the herringp as they are turned into
the gutting boxes — give a general but strict attention to the gut-
ters, in order to insure that they do their work properly — see that
the herrings are properly sorted, and that all the broken and in-
jured fish are removra — take care that the fish 're sufiiciently and
ofiectually roused. Then he should «ee tliat every barrel is sea-
soned with water, and the hoops properly driven before tliey are
given to the packers. He' should likewise keep his eyes over tlie
packers, to see tliat the tiers of herrings are regularly laid and
«alted, and that a cover is placed on every barrel immediately after
it has been completely packed. The cooper should write with red
keel «r black coal the name of Die pa<^er on the bottom or quarter
of eacfU barrel as it is delivered, togetlter with the date of packing,
«nd the letter M, or F, or S, for m4xed, full, or spent fish, as
the cose may be. Where this excellent regulation is practised,
it is found to be a dieck to bad or imperfect selection, os well as to
bad gutting and irregular salting; and it prevents the diflferent
descriptions of herrings from being packed up together, when the
barrels are imheaded in order to be filled 'vp, or for being bung
packed.

After the herrings liave been allowed one, two, or a* 'nost, three
days to pine, the barrels should be filled up with lieuings of the
«ame date as to capture and cure, and of the same description as
those winch they contain, care being taken not to pour off much
pickle, or nndaly to press the fish. The barrels should then be
headed up and tightened in the hoops, and laid on their sides, and
this always under cover, so as to be shaded from tlie sun's rays,
which are seriously injuiious to the fish ; «nd they should be rolled
half over ev«ry «coond or third day, until they are bnng packed,
which pert of the process of cure should be perforn^ed within fif-
teen 4ays fi:om <^e date of the capture <tf the herrings ; and not
«ooaer than that period, if it be the object of the curer Xq obtain
the official brand of the Board of British Fisheries at bung pack-
ing. When the pickle has been sufficiency poured off, a handful
^salt, if required, should be thrown around the insides of the bar-

18

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J})pendiJ(r.

No. 2-«

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relff, and" tfte lierrings should be pressed close to the fnsfdes of the*
casks, and additional fish of the same description and date of curer
gho^uld be padced in nntil the barrel is properly filled; after whicb
it should be flagged, headed, blown, and tightened ; and the curing
marks slwuld be scratched on the side; The barrel may therrhave'
its pickle poured hii and be finally banged np^

I REPACKING iiBRRlNGSv

For the purpose of preserving the fish fn warm dimates, and ire
order to enable them to^ be exported out of Europe, all herrmgs
must be repacked; and before the repacking commences, fifteenr
days must have intervened from the date of their capture and first
salting. For this purpose the herrings must be emptied out of eacli
barrel in which they were originally packed, into a large tub or box,
filled with clean fresh water, where thev are washed and freed fronr
all glut ; after which they arc placed m open baskets, to allow the
water toescape, and then weighed, when 224 !bs. of fi sir are allowed
to each packer for every barrel. The fish are then regularly re-
packed into the same borreisj, and Liverpool great saft is strewed
on each tier as packed, until the barrel is full ; the fish are there
dunted, that is, the head is jumped upon by the packer, and where
the quantity of fish weighed does not fill the barrel more is added.
The barrel is then headed, flagged, and tightened ; the quarter of
the head errd of the barrel hooped wp, and an iron binding hoop,
one inch in breadth, driven on each end ; the chime hoops are there
nailed, which completes the process of full-binding. The barrel*
are then placed in tiers— each bored irt the centre of the bulge —
filled up with strong pickle made from clean salt — and bunged;-
and they are then ready for inspection, official branding, and ship-
ment to any place ont of Europe, f

Herrings are called sea i^lticks when they are shipped off soon
after being taken and cured, so as to be first in the market for eariy
consnmption, and so to obtain a high price. When barrels con>'
taining sea stick herrings are cured on board of vessels cleared out
for the fishery, or shipped to be carried to other stations, if the lower
tiers are not carefully stow*- 3, and the barrels well hooped and
tightened, they are apt to lose the pickle, and if kept for any length
of time m this state, they will be found on landing to be grided and
tainted. Sufficient attention and care will preveht this, and if it
be properly guarded against, the ci»re of the herrings will be im-
proved by the voyage, as they wiil be free from undue pressure?,
and as they will be foimd when opened to be well flooded with
pickle. Whetherthe barrels o' herrings are prepared for the official
brand of the Board of British Fisheries or not, they showld be kept
constantly full of pickle, and where a leak appears, the barret shonid
be made tight, or the fish should ^be taken from it and repacked into
a sufficient barrel. Barrels shoiild be rolled half round weekly nntiF
shipment. Herrings must have been cured hr fifteen days before
the official brand can be applied for. If the cnrer wishes to have
the brand, he must give the officer notice, 8tatin,< that it is his
intention at such a time.and place to have so many b* urels of her*
rings branded— roaties or full fish— a» the case ma^ de, and as a

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No. 24

Appefkdix.

275

? im-

mve-

his

her-

as*

matter of course the officer attends. In the first place, he sees that
the -owner's name, with the place where and the year when cured,
are branded on the barrels, all of which should be done prior to the
<jfficer*8 appearance. The ofTicer having taken the required decla-
ration of the curer, and gauged the barrels, each of which ought to
be of a size capable of containing 32 gallons English wine measure,
he proceeds to examine the casks and herrings, causing ko many
thereof to be opened for his inspection, taking out the heads and the
bottoms of the alternate barrels respectively,* so as to satisfy himself
that the herrings are in all parts of tlie barrels perfectly what they
o«ight to be, before lie proceeds to apply the brand to them.

A cooper should be in constant attendance on board of every
vessel during the time herrings are shipping, to replace hoops,
oliimes, or any other damage the barrels may have sustained by
cartage, and to nail the chime hoops, if not previously done. The
master of every vessel should be bound to use slings, and not crane
hooks, for hoisting the barrels on board, and to stow every barrel
bung upwardo, without the use of a crow-bar.

The superiority of Dutch cured herrings arises chiefly from
scrupulous attention being given to the diflferent directions which
have been detailed in this Treatise, and in a great degree also to
Lisbon or Saint Ube's salt only, being used in their cure, as well as
to their being packed into oak barrels alone, whilst ours are cured
with Liverpool salt, and packed into barrels made of birch or alder.

As it is extremely desirable, and very much for the interest of
fisliermen, and all parties concerned in the herring fisheries, that
the practice of taking herring fry, or undersized herrings, should be
put an end to, each fisherman should hold it to be his duty to aid
the Board of British Fisheries in stopping it. It is chiefly under
the pretence of taking sprats orgarvies that this destructive practice
is pursued. It is therefore important that the distinguishing marks
of the young herring, and the garvie or sprat, should be so generally
known as to be rendered familiar to all. These have been described
by Mr. James Wilson, of Woodville, the well known naturalist, in
a communication made to the Secretary of the Board, from which
the following is eytracted : —

" Ist. The first character to which I would direct your attention,
is one which is so distinguishable by touch as well as sight, that it
would be quite easy by means of it to divide into two separate por-
tions the largest and most intermingled mass of these fishes, even
in total darkness. I refer to the jagged or spiney edging which
prevails along the lower outline of the sprat or garvie, almost all
the way from throat to tail. This character is scarcely at all per-
ceptible in ti;e true herring. It is slightly developed in the fry, but
soon disappears. It seems never absent in the garvie, but grows
with its growth, and presents so stiif a toothing along the abdomi-
nal line, that if a fish is held not very tightly by the sides between
the finger and thumb, and then a finger of the other hand is pressed
along that under line from tail to throat, the projections will present
80 much resistance that the fish itself will be moved forwards.

" 2nd. The eye of the herring is proportionally larger than that
of ti.e garvie, so that if you place a young herring beside a garvie

276

Appendix*

No. 24

r,,'!,

i- ■>

!:.l-

% V

-\i\

.1' ' I

of greater size, its eye will nevertheless be larger than that of the
garvie, and if the fishes are themselves of the same size, the dif*
ference of the eye will be of conrse the more perceptible.

*' 3rd. The third character is less obvious, tiil attention is called
towards it, than the two preceding, but it is of equal importance,
being not less constant and discriminative. If you observe the
position of the dorsal or back fin of the herring, and suppose a line
drawn perpendicularly downwards from its foremost portion where
it enters the back, yoiv will <ind that such line will invariably fall
in advance of the ventral or belly fin beneath it. But if you draw
a similar line from the front portion of a garvie's dorsal fin, it will
invariably drop behind the insertion of the ventral fin.

*' 5th. The fourth character of distinction results from or i»
connected with the character just mentioned. There is a shorter
space and fewer divisional lines between the pectoral or breast-fin,
and the ventral fin in the garvie, than in the herring, so that thef
anterior portion of the body is less elongated.

*' 5th. The divisional plates, or segments, which occupy the
lowar space between the pectoral and ventral fins, are larger in
size and fewer in number in the garvie than in the herring, there
being about fifteen in the former, and about twenty in the latter.
In conformity with this distinction in the outer aspect, the number
of ribs is different, being considerably smaller in amount in the
garvie than in the herring.

" Many other distinctions of a minuter kind are known to natu-
ralists, but I think the preceding will suffice for the object you have
in view, viz. that the difference between the sprat or garvie, and
the fry of the true herring, may be ascertained with ease and
accuracy by all who desire to do so."

By order of the Honorable the Commissioners.

Thos. Dick Lauder,
Secretary Board of Fisheries*

JRot/al Institution, 26th Juney 1845,

i T S (':

DIRECTIONS FOR CURING COD, LING, TUSK, AND HAKE.

Before noticing the cure of cod, ling, tusk, and hake, it may he
right to mention, that where circumstances afiford it, welled smacks
should always be employed in the capture of the fish ; for the
fishermen can not only better preserve their bait in good condition
in such craft, but the process of cleaning and salting the fish as
they are caught can be carried on in them with the greatest con-
venience and advantage. But whether the fishing be so prosecuted,
or by means of boati;, it is esdential never to allow the lines to
remain so long that the fish may die npon them ; and if boats are
employed in their capture, they ought to return to the shore with
the fish as soon as possible after they are caught ; and the fish
taken on different days ought never to be mixed together.

As it is an unquestionable fact, thftt two parcels of fish, which
are of equal size and quality when taken, will, from the difference
of the cure alone, obtain very different prices in the same market,

No. 24

Appendix.

277

it is obvious, that not only the knowledge, but tlie practice, of the
best mode of curing, must be of the most essential importance to
the individual curers, as well as to the country from which the
article of commerce is to be exported. And surely, when it is
understood, that it is not extra expense, but only a little additional
attention, that is necessary to produce this superiority of c 'cellence
in the fish cured, and that all the attention required may be easily
given in the course of the operations of bleeding, cleaning, and
<lrying, by the fishermen or their families, — it may be hoped, that
curers or their superintendents will, for their own sakes, see that
everything necessary be promptly and efficiently done, that may
ensure a ready and profitable sale for their fish.

Perhaps the best process of cure is that practised in Yorkshire,
where the object of the curers is to produce the finest fish for the
Spanish market. As this affords by far the highest price for fish,
it ought to be the study, as it is obviously the interest of all fish-
curers, to bring their article of commerce to such a degree of per-
fection as may make sure of this market. That this must be well
worthy their best endeavours, is best proved by the fact, that the
curers at Eyemouth, by entering into direct correspondence with
ecme of the principal Spanish merchants in London, are now
offered for STAMPED COD what amounts to £3 a ton more than
they got previously. Any curer, in any quarter, may have an
opportunity of opening up such a direct correspondence, by appli-
cation to Mr. Campbell, tlie chief officer of the Board of British
Fisheries in London, who will be happy to inform applicants of the
uames of the firms of the different Spanish houses ; but it must be
observed, that no attempt to do so need be made unless the fish are
of such quality as to merit the OFFICIAL STAMP, and that they
shall have actually received it from tlie Fishery Officer of the
district.

The moment a fish \% taken off the hook it should be bled.
This may be done by the person who is employed in taking it off
the hook. The fish must then be headed, split up, and gutted, —
in doing which, the sound should be carefully preserved for cure.
The fish should then have the bone removed, care being taken
that it shall be cut away to within twenty or twenty two joints oi
the tail, not directly across, but by the splitter pointing the knife
towards the tail, and cutting the bone through two joints at once,
in a sloping direction, bo as to leave the appearance of the figure
8. This looks best, and it has this advantage, that the fish are
not mangled, as they are apt to be when the bone is cut square
through one joint. A slight incision should be also made along all
the adhering part of the bone, to allow any remaining blood to
escape, and the splitter should then drop his fish into clean water.
The fish should then be thoroughly washed in the sea from all im-
purities ; but where this cannot so immediately be accomplished,
they should be dropped instantly into a large tub or vat full of sea
water, wliere they should be carefully washed, and the water should
be poured out of it when it gets foul, and fresh water supplied.
Care must be taken to remove the black skin that adheres to the
lapg of the fish.

278

Appendix.

No. 24

i'Ui!'

I i

If these operations cannot all be performed on board the fishing
craft immediately after capture, the fish, upon being taken olf the
hook, and immediately bled, which is absolutely essential, should
be put into boxes, or some convenience, to keep them froni exposure
to the air, and 1. ;m being trampled on, vrhich would be extremely
hurtful to them. But it may be again repeated, that the more of
the above operations that can be performed immediately after cap-
ture the belter. If the salting can be done on board the craft, ifc
will be of the greatest advantage, as the sooner the fish are in salt
after they are taken out of their native element, the greater is the-
chance that their cure will be successful. But, whether cured at
sea or on shore, they ought in no case to be permitted to remain a
longer period before being laid in salt than forty eight hours.

Some curers think, that instead of laying the fish in salt imme-
diately after they are washed, they ought to be left to soak in water
for twelve hours, or allowed to remain in a heap for the same period,
before being salted. This has bee« done by many, under the im-
pression that it will make the fish, when cured in pickle, appear
thick and plump at market, end because the coating of slime found
on the skin, when the fish come to be repacked or dried, thus be-
comes thicker and easier removed, than if the fish were salted frore.
the washer's hand. But the fact is, that the swelling of the fish>
and the thick coating of slime, indicate tainting, and it is therefore
obvious that when fish remain without salt for twelve hours, the
pickle will just so much tlie sooner become sour, so that tlie fish
must be thereby injured. Herrings, though e riclier fish than cod,
are never soaked in water before salting, or allowed to remain for
hours without salt after being gutted ; the reverse is the universal
practice. In the same manner, therefore, the sooner that cod, ling,
tusk, or hake, can be salted after being thoroughly washt^dy the
better will the cure and the quality be, and the less salt will be re-
quired. The salting should always be carried on in rats, tubs, or
troughs, which should have covers- But whether the fish are to be
so cured, or by that very inferior mode called BULK, they must be
regularly laid in layers on their backs, one over the other,, each
layer being carefully spread over with a sufTrcient quantity of salt,
45 or 50 pounds of Liverpool salt per hundred weight of d^ied fish
being about sufficient. Where this quantity can not be given, a day
or two longer in salt may be required ; and if salted in bulk, they
will certainly require to remain a few days longer. Over-salting
is frequently practised to increase the weight of fish, but nothing is
more fallacious, — not only is the sap thus extracted, and the fish
made lighter, but as the drying advantoes, they become encrusted
with salt, which falls off at every handling, whilst the fish are so
much deteriorated, as to be rejected as salt-burned, or taken at a
very reduced price. In Yorkshire, where the mode of cure is such
as to produce the most perfect article, the whole of the fish are salted
in tubs or vats, three days being generally allowed them to remain
in salt, and one ton of salt is allowed to cure three tons of fish, —
but if the fish are large, more salt will be required than if they are
smaller. This is a difficult matter to manage where the climate is
damp, for if the season happens to be wet, and the fish do not reoeWft

ICo. 24

Jippendix.

279

a suflieietit quantity of salt, tUey will soon get mited. The know-
ledge of their having taken in a sufficient quantity of salt, so as to
be enough cured in that respect, whether they are yet too soft,
must be obtained by the grip of the Ivand of an experienced curer,
before tijey are taken out of the pickle. If the fish be salted when
fresh oflF tlie hook, they will talce in no more salt than will perfectly
cure them, Iwwever niucli may be given them 4 but if they are not
fresh, by giving them too much salt they will get salt-burned.

After thelish are-drawn from the vats, U^ev should be well washed,
and the pickle brashed out in the sea, or in sea wat^er, and then they
must be built up in a long pile on a stony beach^ taking care that
each fish.is placed in a sloping direction, that is to say, with its head
higher than its tail, so as to allow the salt water to be well dripped
out of them. They may remain in this state for a day or two be-
fore tliey are laid out for the purpose of dryiag.

By far liie beet mode of drying the fish, is tliat practised in
Ywkshire, and all fish^'Curers are earnestly r-ecoramended to adopt
5t, as notVing will so certainly tend to ensure their fisli taking in
the Spanish market, which will amply repay them for any trifling
additional expense to which tliey may be put at first by making
proj. provision for it. The Yorkshire carers use flakes of wood,
raised on posts tlu'ee feet high, <vf sucli length as may be found
most con v-enient, and about four feet wide. These are oonstructed
at'top witli-a platform of cross bars, placed six inches asunder, on
wliicii the iish are to be laid. The j»reatest possible advantage is
derived rfrom these flakes, and it is the earnest desire of the Board
of Fislieries to see them brought into umversal use among fish-
■curers, as they are far superior to any stony beach whatsoever,
howsoever 'fiivourable for the purpose- The great advantage ©f
the flake is, that it preserves the iish clean, an J owing to the cur-
rent oi air passing underneath, tlie drying .process goes on simul-
;taneously belo«' as well as above ; and it prevents all chance of
the fish being sunburnt, blistered, or scalded, when first laid out,
as frequently happens when they are placed on a hot atony beach
in a warm day. But when a stony beach is to be used, tlie great-
est care should be taken not to lay the fish down when the stones
iire too warm from the heat of the sun, otherwise they will cer-
tainly get sunburnt, and no subsequent care will be successful in
curing them properly. \n all eases, whether the flake or the
beach be used, great care must be takeu not to expose the fish
to a powerful sua for the first few days, and that tliey be Jiot
iirieid too liastily, otherwise they will heat^ becoate brittle, and
loose from the skin, and appear as half roasted, and so be unsale-
able. At first tliey should be laid on tlieir backs; but towards
night tltey fihould be laid back upwards, in small heaps or clamps,
which ought to be increased in size as the fish gets harder ; and,
•during the process of drying, the fish may be laid with their back
or belly upwards alternately, as occasion may point out. As they
acquire firmness, frequent turning is advantageous, and as the
heaps become enlarged, stones or weights may be placed on them
to facilitate pressing, which Imparts to them a smooth and com-
j^ftct £urfAce. When the fish are about half dried or so, it will

;':!■

280

Appendix;

No. 24

' m

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,! :

then be easy to tell whether they have got too nrnch salt, and
if 90, the skin side ehonld be laid up to the sun during the heat oC
the day for future drying, which will draw the salt from the sur-
face of the fish side, and tend to make them appear a fine gre«^nish
colour. When the fish are gathered together ii> heaf)s in tlie even-
ing, they should be carefully cO'Vered with matting or eanvas
during the night, as well as when damp weather prevents their
being laid out. After a fortnight's drying, the fish should be put
into a pack, or steeple, for the purpose of sweating, and they ought
to be allowed to remain in that state for twelve days, carefully
covered, after which they shoiild be laid out to dry for a week ;
and then after sweating them a seeond time for four or six days^
two or three more days of drying should be sufiiciettt to coorptete
then). But of course this must all depend o:. tW state of the
weather ; and, according as that may be favourable or otltefwise>
the whole time employed in curing them may average from- six to«
eight weeks. The pining and sweating of the fish is a most im-
portant part of the cure, and must be extremely well attended to,,
for if not properly sweated before they are hoiised, they will soon
get mited, slimed, discoloured, and unsaleable. F ish prepared for
the Spanbh market require to be highly salted, quite transparent,,
and of a pure greenish colour, and very hard dried. After the fislfc
are properly sweated, pined, and fini^ed, they should be boused,.
but never in a warm day, or warm from the beach or flakes ; they
should always be collected in a cool state — either in the evening
or morning — and with this precaution, and always provided that
they have been properly pined and sweated, they will keep for a
long time without being slimed or mtted, care being taken to> Ivave
the air excluded from them by proper covers^ and by their being
put into a tight cellar or warehouse. Many o£ the Yorkshire
curers, when packing thjnr fish in their stores, after being fully
dried, lay a small quantity of clean straw between each layer of
fish. This tends to draw the surplus salt from the surface of the
fish, prevents then» from gettiiig slimy or mited, and very much
improves their colour. ,

When fish caught in winter are to renisun in salt until the dry-
ing season arrives, a little additional salt is necessary, and if ]aid
in bulk, they should be carefully covered with matting or canvas
to ensure cleanliness, and to prevent tliem from getting discoloured.

When the fish are to be cured in pickle, they may remain the
same time salted in vats, before being repaeked into barrels^ Oi\
removal they should be carefully scrubbed and* waslted with clean
water, and the slime vrell scraped off with a knife trom the skin
and back fins. The fish may be then repacked id barrels, with
clean salt, and prepared for market. The number of fish in each
barrel should be scratched on the side of it. For curing and re-
packing for the home market, 84 lbs. of salt per barvel is sufEciettt>
but 1 12 lbs. will be required lor fish intended fi>r exportatioii^
By Older of the Hooorable the Commissioners.

;•'...■.■; ■'.--^iiif ;.'• ■••- Thomas Dick LAinDBit.

Secretary tat/ie Board (if JJrkii&Fiahtiiwu
It(^t InsCitHtimy 26^^ June, 1845.

No. 21

Appendix,

281

DIRECTIONS FOR CURING COD, LING, TUSK, AND HAKE,
WET, OR IN PICKLE.

This is a mode of curing which produces a valuable article nf
merchandise — very useful in household eccr^omy^ and its wider
extension becomes a most desirable object in promoting the inter-
ests of the British Fisheries. The most approved mode of con-
ducting this description of cure is as follows:—

The fish having l"»en properly split, scrubbed, and washed,
should be salted in large tubs, or square boxes, capable of retaining
the pickle, and properly covered from the sun and rain. After
being forty eight hours in salt, they may be washed in clean fresh
water, and the skin of each fish must be well scrubbed with a small
heather scrubber, or a hand brush, which is sometimes used for the
purpose. Having been perfectly cleared of slime, and well rinsed
in cold water, they are laid in a heap and allowed to drip, and are
then repacked into barrels with clean salt. In performing this
process, the skin side of the fish is kept next to the bottom of the
barrel, and they are regularly packed np with a proper quantity
of salt on each layer, keeping them as flat as possible, and close to
the sides of the barrel. Tlie fish should be collected, and assorted
into three or four sixes, and each size should be packed in different
barrels.

If the fish have been firmly packed, and the barrels allowed to
stand on end one niglit properly covered before being tightened, it
will not be necessary to jump upon them. The uppermost or top
fish in the barrel is then nlaced with the skin upwards, and salt is
Strewed on it. The barrels must then be flagged and t^htened, —
laid down — tiered— bored on the sides— and filled up with pickle^
which should always be made from clean salt, and it should be
nkiramed when necessary^ as any impurity in the pickle injures
the whiteness of the fish.

The number and kind of fish contained in each barrel must then
be scratched on the side, with the date of repacking, and if the
cadks and fish are (bund on inspection to be in all respects agreeable
to law, and to the Board's regulations, tlie barrels may then be
officially branded.

By order of the Honorable the Commissioners

,, . r , . "**^'' TiiCMAS Dick Lauder,

SdG^y. Board of Fisheries^
Iioi/aiInstiCulion,2mJune,\8t^

.-..It,

1 [-.

I-.; :i ''<\ n-.'i sn^'.i / • ]>■[ ■•.> •,:.] ".,:,i>; /r;'" ' . ■ ■"•■/' :''■ • u.

282 Appendix. No. 25

No. 25.
REPORT OF THE HON. J. H. GRAY,

ON Tim Oi>KRATJUi; OF THK F18HISHY I.AVV8 IN 0HAB4,OTTE CUUNTV*

Saint John^ December Z\ , \Q5\ .

Sir, — Having been appointed by Minute of Council, in con-
junction with the Hon. Mr, Hazen, a Committee to report upoa
the operation of the Fishery Laws in the County of Charlotte, I
have to state, that it being inconvenient for Mr. Hazen to visit that
County, 1 proceeded thitlier a^coiupanied by M. H. Perley, Esq.,
who was invited to assist in making the necessary inquiries.

I have now the honor to report, that I reached Welch Pool on
the 1 9th November last, on which day the first ** Fish Show" was
held there by the Campo Bello Fishing Society.

The Show was a very fair one ; the samples of fish exhibited,
both dry and pickled, were of excellent quality, and generally well
•cured. The greatest deficiency appeared in the dried cod, many
of which were not well split. Sufficient care had not been taken
in removing tlie back bone, and consequently some blood remained,
discolouring and injuring the quality of the fish. The attention of
tlie fishermen present was directed to this defect, and it was pro-
mised that more perfect fish should be produced at the next Show.

The pickled and smoked herrings were particularly fine, and
very well cured.

A return of the several descriptions of fish exhibited, and of the
premiums awarded to the successful exhibitors, is appended to this
Report, marked No. 1.

After Uie Show, the fishermen met me at the School House,
where an interesting discussion took place, on various propositions
And questions which I submitted to them.

WEIRS.

With regard to the herring weirs at Campo Bello, it was stated
tkat for one weir on the British side of the Quoddy River, so called,
there were at least five on the American side 4 and that any regu-
lation, to be fully effective, should be equally in force on both sides
of the Boundary.

It was also stated by the fishermen, that spawning herrings were
not taken in the weirs, or if so, but very rarely.

It was likewise stated, that when herrings were taken by
•• driving" with torch-light, as many small herrings were destroyed,
as are now destroyed by the weirs.

Upon the question whether the weirs were, or were not, injurious
to the fisheries, the meeting divided in opinion ; about one-third of
those present considering them injurious.

One fisherman who spoke in opposition to the weirs, (Josiah
Patterson,) said it would be of no use to put down the weirs on the
shores of Campo Bello, unless those on the American side were
put down also. He admitted that the weirs of Campo Bello were
very useful to the fishermen, as fiom them they procured their
supply of bait for the line-fishing. He had seen a great many
lierrings destroyed by " driving ;" but of late years very few bad

No. 25

Appendix.

283

been destroyed by the weirs, although many were destroyed when the
weirs were first built, from the want of proper attendance. He had
signed a petition against the weirs some years ago, but that was on
account of their taking young pollack, few of which they now take.

It was admitted by those wlio did not consider the weirs injurious,
that some regulation was necessary, with reference to the size of
gates in weirs, and the material of winch such gates should be
composed.

Much depends on the situation of the weir, as to the size .of the
gate required. If a weir is dry only at low water, and is placed
where there is a strong current setting, a small gate only will be
necessary, if opened in sufficient tide-time for the escape of the fish.
But when a weir is built upon a long flat, or becomes dry at half-
tide, a much larger gate is required.

It was suggested by the meeting, that the size of the gate should
be regulated by the Fishery Wardens, according to the extent and
position of each weir ; but that no gate should be less than nine
ieet in width, and should be closed with net, or such other material
as the Warden for the district should direct.

Complaints were made that in several situations, but more
especially at Grand Manan, weirs were placed in passages between
small islands, and in narrow channels, where they not only obstruct
navigation, but also prevented the fish from resorting to their usual
in-shore feeding grounds, to the injnry of the fisheries generally.
It was proposed to remedy this grievance by giving enlarged powers
to the Fishery Wardens, so that they might without delay cause
the removal of weirs which thus became a public nuisance, under
proper restrictions, and the necessary safeguards for tlie protection
of private rights.

GURRY GROUNDS.

The injury to the Fisheries, especially near Grand Manan, from
throwing over upon the fishing grounds the heads, bones, and other
offal of the cod and scale fish, ♦echnically termed " gurry," was re-
presented, an 1 the necessity of establishing proper places for deposi-
ting such offal, usually called *' gurry -grounds," was strongly urged.

It appears that the Act 58 G. 3, cap. 2, was passed expressly
for the purpose of preventing this mode of injuring the Fisheries ;
and it was made perpetual by the Act 3 G. 4, cap. 2. But both
these Acts were repealed by the Act 13 V. cap. 30, which confers
on the General Sessions of the Peace, the pow«r of making the
necessary regulations.

The (leneral Sessions of Charlotte not having made any regula-
. tions whatever in relation to the Fisheries, there is at present no
means of preventing the throwing over of " gurry " in improper
places, where it causes very serious injury. It was proposed, that
this evil should be remedied by Legislative enactment, giving
power to the Wardens and Overseers of Fisheries to mark out and
establish "gurry grounds" in proper situations.

It was urged, that these **garry grounds" when established,
should be buoyed out, or otherwise distinctly defined, and that great
care should be taken in their selection, so that they should not

,t!

i : *l

\ ' 'It
li ■ i 't^

284

Appendix.

No. 25

' M

I' I

! I

interfere with the in-shore Fisheries, and yet afford every convenience
to fishing boats and vessels. It was said, that unless a stringent
law on this subject was enacted, and vigorously enforced, the in-
shore fisheries would in a short time be wholly destroyed.

It was subsequently stated to me. that the decay of the Fisheries
on the shores of the New England States, once so plentiful, waa
attributed in a great degree to the want of a proper "gurry " law,
and its vigorous enforcement. Intelligent American fishermen say,
that the want of fitting "gurry-grounds," combined with the
absence of laws for the protection of fish during the spawning sea-
son, have combined to injure tlie New England Coast Fisheries very
seriously, and in many localities have destroyed them altogether.

PROTECTION OP THE SPAWNING GROUND.

The fishermen at the meeting agreed in opinion, that it wa£>
necessary, as well for the preservation of the herring fishery, as of
the line fisheries, that Die spawning ground at the Southern Head
of Grand Manan should be strictly preserved during the spawning
season, say from \5i\\ July to 15th October. A large majority of
those present were in favour of extending the limits of the spawning
ground as defined in the Fishery Act of last Session, so as to include
tlie wjjole of Bradford's Cove ; and Mr. .John Alexander, the Fishery
VVarden who was stationed at the Southern Head last season, was
also of opinion that the " close time" should commence on the first
day of July, instead of the fifteenth, as now provided by law. i

That the protection of the spawning ground at the Southern
Head during the past season only, has been already beneficial to
the fisheries generally, can scarcely be doubted. In the Report of
Capt. A. F. Kynaston, of H. M. Sloop " Persian," dated 4th Sep-
tember last, it is stated tliat one of the '* Persian's" boats had been
placed at ihe Southern Head, at the disposal of Mr. M'Laughlin,
the Overseer of Fisheries residing there ; and that the good effects
of preserving the spawning ground was apparent, even early in
September. At that time vessels had good cod fishing within two
or three miles of the land, when three weeks previously they had
sorry fishing at the distance of seven or eight miles. Capt. Kynas-
ton says, it was evident to him that the preservatioitof the spawning
ground, and a slight check upon the weir system, would form " the
sheet-ancijor of the fisheries." He strongly recommends an exten-
sion of the limits of the ground to be preserved to Pandora Head,
so as to include the whole of Bradford's Cove.

Since the close of the spawning season and up to the present
moment, the cod fishing at the Southern Hecid, close in shore, has
been excellent, where no such fishery has existed for a number of
years. Great quantities of young herrings from three to six inches
in length, have been recently observed near the shores of Grand
Manan, and around the small islands in its vieinity. It has been
certified to nie by seven respectable fishermen of Grand Manan,
who are persons of much intelligence and observation, that these
fry are the young fish produced from spawn deposited during the
past season. The original certificate stating this £aot, dated the
18th instant, is appended to this Report, marked No. 2*

No. 25

Appendix.

285

Capt. Kynaston recommends, as do also the Fishery Wardens,
that boats snificiently manned should be stationed at Grand Manan
during the fishing season to protect tlie spawning ground, and
enforce any enactments or regulations which may be made relative
to " gurry grounds ;" as also to prevent the weirs from becoming
a nuisance, by obstructing the navigation, or being improperly
fished. These boats would also prevent American fishing vessels
from intruding upon the in-shore fishing grounds, where they have
no right, and compel them to keep at a proper distance, by which
the Provincial fisherman would be sparea some annoyance, and be
much benefited.

The injuries which flow from the destruction of herrings on their
spawning ground has excited much observation in Scotland, and
attracted the earnest attention of the British Fishery Board for
some years past. Tlie great spawning ground of the herrings
which frequent the Clyde, and that celebrated fishing place Loch
Fyne, is upon a bank opposite to Ballantrae, in Ayrshire. This
bank lies about three miles off the shore ; it is about a mile and a
half in length, and three quarters of a mile in breadth, with nine
fathoms water over it. T here the herrings, during the spawning
season, congregate in incalculable numbers ; and the spawn lies on
this bank (precisely as at the Southern Head of Grand Manan,) to
a very great depth, so that the smallest net ropes which are let
down, are hauled up of the apparent thickness of cables, from the
immense quantity of spawn that adheres to them. The Conimis-
sioneis of the British Fisheries say, in their Report to Parliament
for 1847, that the herrings taken during the spawning time are in
the worst possible condition as human food, and much more likely
to be prejudicial and to spread disease, than to be nutritious. It
is quite impossible, the Commissioners say, to calculate the extent
of loss arising to the Clyde and Loch Fyne fisheries, by the im-
proper mode of fishing there pursued, which must bring comparative
scarcity on the really sound, productive, and wholesome fisheries,
carried on at the proper season in the Clyde and Loch Fyne.

In their report to Parliament for 1848, the Commissioners again
allude to the destruction of spawning herrings on the banks of Bal-
lantrae. They state, that they had received numerous petitions
from fish curers, and fishermen, deeply interested in the fisheries of
the west coast of Scotland, complaining of the reckless destruction
of spawn, and the fry of herrings, by which myriads of these useful
fish are annually destroyed. The banks of Ballantrae are stated
to be well known as the nurseries of the herrings visiting the wes-
tern coast, and if the indiscriminate destruction which takes place
there, is allowed to continue, the Commissioners say the fishermen
on that coast will be ultimately ruined, and many thousands of
industrious fishermen, around the various Lochs, reduced to poverty,
while the immense capital invested in boats and materials would
be rendered wholly unproductive.

Like the banks of Ballantrae, the spawning ground at the
Southern Head of Grand Manan, would seem to be the great nur-
sery of herrings at the entrance to the Bay of Fundy, and perhaps
in the Bay generally. The destruction there of the spawning

1

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286

Appendix.

No. 25

herrings, and the spawn itself, will not only destroy the herring
fishery, but also be of the (greatest injury to tlie valuable line
fisheries of the Bay of Fundy, which bo greatly depend on a regu-
lar and full supply of young herrings, and from the want of which,
those fisheries have of late years sufTered so seriously.

THE POWER OF FISHERY WARDENS.
Whatever enactments may be made, or regulations established
for the protection and preservation of the fisheries, should be
enforced by prompt and summary proceedings. At Grand Manan
there are not a sufficient number of Magistrates to enforce any
Fishery Law ; and in other localities, Magistrates reside at such
distances from the fisheries, that before application can be made to
them olTenders wholly escape. In revising the Fishery Laws
therefore, it may be expedient to give greater power to the Fishery
Wardens, for the enforcement of fines and penalties ; and perhaps
under special circumstances, or in particular localities, to invest
them with powers and authority of a Justice of the Peace.

MILL DAMS.

In the Fishery Act of last Session it was provided that in every
dam then built, or thereafter to be built or placed across any of the
various rivers and streams of the Province, a proper and suitable
fishway should be made and kept, and proprietors were allowed
until the first day of October last to make the required fishways.

It has been suggested to me that it is not necessary to have
fishways in dams upon all streams without exception, as there are
many streams which fish did not ascend before the dams were built,
and the current was wholly unobstructed. A modification of this
enactment might therefore take place, requiring fishways only
upon such streams as fish were accustomed to ascend, and did
ascend, prior to dams being placed across them.

GENERAL FISHERY LAW.

In the Fishery Law of last year some inaccuracies and omissions
have been discovered, which render several of its provisions almost
inoperative.

The Act It'Uh Victoria, cap. 30, for consolidating the Laws
relating to Counties, Towns and Parishes, repealed a number of
local and general Acts relating to the fisheries, and conferred the
power of making new regulations upon the General Sessions of the
Peace in the several Counties. So far as I have been able to learn,
no fishery regulations have been made in any County of the Pro-
vince, since the p&ssing of the Act which repealed so many pre-
viously existing laws, and various useful and necessary regulations
(as in the case of " gorry-grounds,) have ceased to exist. It would
therefore be exceedingly desirable that a Fishery Law, taking up
all matters of general interest, and making the necessary provision
in every case, should be carefully prepared, and submitted to the
Legislature at its approadiing Session.

t. :>:\

:iii 1

i ! ■ 1

25

Xo. 25

Appendix.

INSPECTION LAW.

2OT

It is quite certain that the cure of RdIi will not be rendered so
perfect as it ought to be, until efficient persuns are appointed,
under Legislative authority, to inspect all nsh intende;^ either fur
home consumption, or for exportation.

The bill introduced last Session, for a complete system of in-
specting dry, pickled, and smoked fish, throughout the Province,
with some alteration in details, wiil probably be found to answer
the purpose. The leading feature of this bill, as printed, uppeais
to have been generally approved ; and with some alterations and
modifications, in matters of detail, may be rendered a most useful
and necessary measure.

I have ascertained that the size of boxes for smoked herrings
should b*) the same as those required by law in the State of Maine,
for greater mercantile convenience in exportation.

The sizes of barrels for the several descriptions' of pickled fish,
differ in various localities in this Provinse, and are also different
in size from those used in Nova Scotia. On this point, infor-
mation can be obtained from practical fishermen in drUereut parts
of the Province, as to the sizes which would best suit the various
fisheries, and tend to increase the sale of fish in foreign n)arkets.

It has been suggested to me from Charlotte County, that any
general law for the inspection of fish intended foj exportation,
which required that the packages should be branded, should nots
pass, as it would prevent the illicit exportation of fish from that
County to the United States, by rendering them easily identified
there as smuggled goods. But no consideration of this kind should
prevent the passage of a general measure, which would greatly
tend to raise the character of New Brunswick cured fish, and
enhance their value in every foreign market, besides rendering
them greatly superior for home consumption.

VALUE OF THE FISHERIES IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY.

I am indebted to John Alexander, one of the Fishery Wardens,
for the following statements of the quantities and value of fish,
taken in one season, by the fishermen of Campo Bello, in decked
vessels, boats, and fish-weirs, owned by them. This estimate is
made upon the quantity actually taken in the year ISoO, corrected
by the catch of 1851 , so far as it had advanced up to November : —

1,522 quintals Codfiflh,
6,169 do Pollack.
223 barrels Mnckerel,
679 do Pickled Cod, Sic.
4,577 do Herrings,
5,526 gallons Fis'a Oil,

18,51 1 bxs. first quality Smoked Herrings, 2s. 3d. per box,
6,591 do No. 1 and No. 2 do Is. 3d, per box.

@ 13s. per quintal,

78> 6d. do

35s. per barrel,

10s. do

12s. 6d. do

2s. 6d. per gallon.

i:989 6
2,313 7

390 5

339 10
2,860 12

690 15
2,082 9

411 18

0
6
0
0

6
0
9

0

Total value Campo Bello fisheries, 1851, ^10,07& 4 6

The information upon which the foregoing statement is founded
was collected by John Farmer, Esquire, while engaged in taking
the Census of Campo Bello, during the past season, and I ana
assured that it may be relied upon as correct.

i !,

^1 ..>

I

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S88

Appendix.

No. 25

Mr. Alexancler has also ftirnished me with a statement, made
lip from information collected by himself, of the qnantities and
valne of the products of the fisheries caught during the season of
1851, by the fishermen of Grand Manan, in decked vessels, boats,
and fish-weirs, owned by themselves, as follows i —

3,900 quintals dried Codfish,
7,024 do " PoI'.a«k,

>5,3.56 do " Hake,

G6 barrets Mackerel,
250 do pickled Cod, &c.
2,216 do Herrings,
!5,069galloti8Oi1,

32,000 boxes Smoked Herrings, soiled,
<>,000 do do No. 1 and 2,

(^ 12«. 6d. V quintal,
7s. 6d. do
€8. 3d. do
328. 6d. V barrel,
lOs. do

138. 9d. do
28. 6d. V gailon,
28. 3d. V box,
Is. 3d. do

£2,437 10

2,634 0

1,(573 15

107 5

125 0

1,523 10

1,883 12

3,600 0

375 0

2,109 7

€

2,187 10

0

400 0

0

1,462 10

0

375 0

0

Total value, Grand Manan fisheries, 1851, £14,359 12 6

It has been stated tr me that the quantities and value of the pro-
ducts of the fisheries at \Vest fsles in 1851, did notdiflFer materially
from those of 1 850, as stated in the Report of Mr. Perley on the
Fisheries of the Bay of Fundy ; they were thus summed up : —

20,800 quintals Pollack and Hake, £5,720 0 0

■3,750 do. Cod,
3,500 barrels Herrings

800 do. pickled Cod and Haddock,

450 do. Oil,
5,000 boxes smoked herrings.

Estimated virioe. West Isles Fisheries, 1851, £12,254 7 6

The valne of the products of the sea fisheries in Charlotte County
in 1851, exclusive of the shore fislieries from L'Etite passage to
Point Lepreau, of which no account has been taken, may be thus
summed up : —

Grand Xfanan, £14,359 12 6

Ca3jpo Bello, 10,073 4 6

West Isles, 12,254 7 6

Total, £36,692 4 6

But besides the fisheries prosecuted to the above extent by resi*
dent fishermen, the fisheries are also prosecuted in the vicinity of
frrand M«nan by fishing vessels from Nova Scotia, and from the
United States. During the past season Mr. Alexander, while
stationed at C rand Manan, was enabled to collect some information,
from which he has made up the following estimate as an approxi*'
mation to the number of vessels not belonging to New Brunswick,
their tonnage, and tlie quantities and value of the fish caught by
their crews, during the season of 1851 : —

28 vessels averaging 55 tons each, . 1546 tons.

15 " »' 30 " " 450 ««

50 " " 20 « " . 1000 "

36 " " 15 " " 540 "

119 vessels, amoiiating to

First fare of 119 vessels, 23,288 quintals Codfish (jx) 12?. 6J.
Second fare of " " 28,288 « Pollack ^ 78. 6d.
" 940 barrels of Oil, tf>75».

3,536 tons.

£17,680 0 0

10,608 0 0

3,526 0 0

£31,813 0 0

No. 25

AppendiX'

289

0 0
0 0
0 0

To

Mr. Alexander states, that the number of vessels belonging to
Grand Manan is about thirty, of all sizes ; and he has learned from
undoubted authority, that no less than one hundred and seventy
eight spil of fishing vessels have been cou.ited fishing on the
" ripplings" at one time during the past season. He says it is well
known, that eighteen fishing vessels from the small Town of Tren-
ton, in Maine, the largest seventy four tons, and the smallest
thirty three tons, make two fares in the vicinity of Grand Manan
every season.

The foregoing approximation is believed to be rather under stated
than otherwise ; and it will be observed, tliat the value of fish
caught by other than New Brunswick vessels near Grand Manan,
is nearly equal to the whole Value of the Island Fisheries in the
County of Charlotte^ and leads to the belief that practical measures
may be devised for increasing the qualities and value of the fish
«aught by resident fishermen.

FISHING SOCIETIES.

A resolution of appropriation passed at the last session of the
(jegislature, placing five hundred pounds at the disposal of His
Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, for the encouragement of the
fisheries — ** the said money to be advitneed in the same way, and
in like proportion as the money at present granted for the encour-
agement of Agricultural Societies." In consequence of this
appropriation, no less than three Fishery Societies, were established
in the County of Charlotte; one at Grand Manan, another at
Campo Bello, and the third at West Isles. The members of each
of these Societies subscribed and paid into their Treasurer, a cer-
tain sum, not less than twenty five pounds, and thereupon became
entitled to a Warrant on the Treasury, for three times the amount
so paid in, no Societies iM^ving been fpri^ed in any other part of
the Province.

Thpse Fishery Societies have each adopted a constitution for
its guidance, and each has had a " Fishing Show" the past season,
at which premiums were awarded for the best cured fish, as at
Campo Bello. The fishermen have by means of these Societies
been induced to meet together and discuss in a friendly spirit, and
businees like manner, various ip<\tters of deep interest in their
calling, with the vie w of devising measures for t^e more successful
prosecution of th3 fisheries generally, as also improved modes of
curing all descriptions of fish. A bond of union may thus be said
to have been established amon^ the resident fishermen, in the
several localities mentiotied ; and they already begin to understand,
that much may be effeicjted for the advancement of *he fisheries by
combined, efforts, and by rctliance upo*'. themselves.

It would be desirable therefore, that the Societies already estab-
lished should be encomraged to proceed with the useful measures
they have, alir^ady oommenced, and be induced to extend their
exertionni in t^e/ntost benffi!c|al di.ection ; and also, that the forma-
tion of Societij^s in pthefr sections of the Province should be promoted
by all legitimate means, in order that the fishermen every where

19

290

Appendix.

No. 25

%i^

i'l

u "

■;r

' 31

should learn the benefits of self-reliance, in all local matters which
may be best controlled and regulated by themselves.

I have the honor, &o. J. H. GRAY.

Hon. J. A. Putelov, FroTincial Secretary.

Endoanre No. 1.

CAMPO BELLO FISH SHOW.

The first Annual Show of the Campo Bello Fishing Society,
was held at the Government Store, Welchpool, on Tuesday the 18th
day of November, 1851, when Premiums were awarded to the fol-
lowing persons, lor the undermentioned kinds of fish : —

For Ist best dry Cod Fish,
2nd do.

3rd do.

For 1st best dry Pollack,

2nd do.

drd do.

For Ist best dry Hake,

2nd do.

3rd do.

For 1st best dry Haddock,
For 1st best barrel Mackerel,
2nd do.

D. Ludlow,
N' Ludlow,
Jer. Wilson,
O. Brown,
J. Patterson,
G. Young,

W. Ludlow,
Wm. Tucker,
O. Ludlow,

O. Ludlow,
R. Beman,
J. M. Parker,

For Ist best Qnoddy River Herring, James Colder,
" ■ ■ D. Mitchell,

A. Flagg,
Price Flagg,
Thad. Stinson,

A Flagg,

2nd do.

For Ist best smoked Herring,

2nd do.

3rd do.

For best smoked Haddock,

£2
2
2
2
2
1

1
1
1

1

1
1

2

2

2
2
2

10
5
0
5
0

15
5
2
0
5

10
6

10
5

12
5
0
0 17
0 15

0
0
0
0
0
0

0
6
0

0

0
0

0
0

6
0
0
6
0

For best 2 boxes Yarmouth Bloaters, D. Mitchell,

Eleven brls. pickled Herring exhibited ; the Judges could no^ decide
as to the best; and the Committee awarded to each competitor £1.

D. Bennett, Secretary'

Enclorare No. 2. '

We, the subscribers, hereby certify, that there have been targe
schuUs of herring fry playing abng the shores this last fall ; they
are from three to six inches in length, and from our long knowledge
of ^sh and the fisheries, we believe them to be the fry from the
spawn of the herrings, deposited in this vicinity in the month of
March last, and late in the season of tiiis last spring and summer.

Daniel M'LAtr<}H|.iN,
Charles p. Wi^^qox,
Robert F. Russell,
George Harvey,
" ■ ■ Warren Inoersoll,

William Haiunqton,
Joel iNoiRsoLi. ; '

Orani Manm, N, B., DtoenAtr 18, 1851.

Xo. 26

0
0

6
0
0

Appendix.

( No. 26. )
FISHERY ACTS.

291

Act 14 Victoria, Chap. 31,

For the protection and regulation of ihe Sea and River Fisheries

ef this Province.

Passed 30<A April 1851.

1 . Be it enacted by the Lieutenant Governor, Legislative Coun-
cil and Assembly, That no Salmon shall be taken in any manner
whatever on the Coasts of this Province, or in any of the Bays,
Rivers or Harbours of the same, where the Tide ebbs and flows,
after the thirty first day of August in any year, nor shall any Sal-
mon be taken by any device whatever in any of the fresh water
Rivers or Streams of this Province after the said thirty first day of
August in any year, under the penalty of ten shillings for each
and every Salmon taken in any year after the several days men-
tioned and before the first day of April in the succeeding year.

2. And be it enacted. That whoever shall take any Salmon in
this Province after sunset on Saturday night, and before sunrise
on Monday morning, shall for each and every Salmon so taken,
forfeit and pay the sum of ten shillings.

3. And be it enacted, That whoever shall take any Salmon by
spearing either in the day time or by spearing with torch light, at
any time between the thirty first day of August and the first day
of April, or in any place, shall forfeit and pay for every Salmon so
taken the sum of ten shillings, and shall further be liable to be im-
prisoned for any period not exceeding two days, at the discretion
of the Magistrat'^efore whom such penalty shall be recovered ;
and whoever shall sell or offer for sale, or shall between the thirty '
first day of August in any year, and the first day of April in the
next succeeding year, p;irchase any Salmon caught or taken by
spearing, shall forfeit and pay the sum of ten shillings for each
Salmon so sold or offered or exposed for sale, r,~ nurchased as
aforesaid.

4. * And for the better regulation of the Sea Fisheries of this
Province,' Be it enacted, That the Lieutenant Governor in Coun-
cil may make rules and regulations for the management and pro-
tection of all Fisheries on the Sea Coast of this Province, or around
any Island laying off the said Sea Coast, between low water mark
and three marine miles of such Coast or Island ; and all Orders
made by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, and published in
the Royal Gazette, shall have the like force and effect as if con-
tained in this Act ; provided always, that such Orders in Council
shall not impose any greater penalty than fifteen pounds, or any
longer term of imprisonment than ten days.

5. And be it enacted, That the Lieutenant Governor in Conn-
oil may appoint Wardens of the Fisheries, not exceeding two in
any County of this Province, whose duty it shall be to watch over
and protect the Sea and River Fisheries, and to enforce or cause
to be enforced all the provisions of the Acts of Assembly, the rnles
and regulations of the Justices in Sessions, or Municipal authorities.

292

Appendix.

No. 26

;'• ..

'K'

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jit/'ifi ';

h

or Orders in Council, with relation to such Fisheries ; which
Wardens shall be subject to the directions of tho Governor in
Council, and liable to such penafti^s as iiiay be imposed by Order
in Council fur misconduct or neglect of duty,

6. And be it enacted. That the Lieutenant Governor in Council
may grant leases or licences of occupation for Fishing Stations on
the ungranted shores, beaches or islands of this Province, at fair
and rea^nable rents, suc)i leases or licences of occupation not to
be for any longer term or period than five years, and to terminate
whenever the Fishing Station shall cease to be used for fishery
purposes ; and no Fishing Station shall be allowed to occupy tho
whole of any locality where there is space for more than one such
Station ; and in the event of several parties applying for the same
Station, the lease of such Station shall be sold at public auction,
after thirty days notice, tlie upset price being determined by the
Lieutenant Governor in Council ; provided always, that nothing
herein contained shall interfere with or be construed to affect the
rights of parties in lands or privileges heretofore granted.

7. And be it enacted. That uo Herrings whatsoever shall be
taken or cauglit in any manner on the spawning ground at the
Southern Head of Grand Manan between the fifteenth day of July
and fifteenth day of October in any year, such spawning ground
commencing at the eastern part of Seal Cove, at a place convmonly
known as Red Point, and thence extending along the Coast
westerly, and around the Southern Head of Bradford's Cove, a
distance of about five miles, and extending to the distance of one
mile from the shor'^ ? and all nets or engines used for catching
Herrings on the said spawning ground, within the period above
limited, shall be seized and forfeited ; and every^rson engaged in

'using the same shall be deemed guilty of a n»sdemeanor, and shall
be arrested, prosecuted, and punished, as in other cases of mis-
demeanor.

8. And be it enacted, That all fines and penalties recoverable
under and by virtue of any section of this Act, not exceeding fifteen
pounds, shall and may be recovered before any two Justices of the
Peace, with costs of prosecution, and beyond that sum, shall and
may be recovered before any Court of competent jurisdiction, with
costs of prosecution ; such penalty, when recovered, to be paid into
the County Treasury, and to be appropriated one half to and for
the Warden or Wardens who may have instituted proceedings for
the recovery thereof, and the other half to and for the use of the
said County.

9. And be it enacted, That nothing herein contained shall be
construed to prevent the Warden or Wardens from being competent
witnesses for the recovery of any penalties under this Act, io. or
by reason of their being entitled to any portion of the penalty so to
be recovered.

10. And be it enacted. That the Wardens to be appointed under
and by virtue of the sixth section of this Act, sball \a addition ta
the proportion of any penalties recovered under and by virtue of the
eighth section of this Act to which they may be entitled, shall be'
entitled to receive and demand of and from the Provincial Govern--

No. 27

Appendix.

293

ment, the sum of forty pounds for his services during the current
year; provided always, that before any such sum shall be drawn
from the public funds, it shall be certified to the Lieutenant Go-
vernor in Council that the County for which such \\ arden or
Wardens has or have been appointed, has provided a similar sum
for the payment of the said Warden or Wardens.

1 1 . And be it enacted, That in every Dam now built or here-
after to be built or placed across the various Streams and Rivers
in this Province, a proper and suitable Fishway shall be made and
kept ; provided that in those already erected, the proprietors thereof
shall be allowed until the iirst da^ of October next to make the
Fishway required in and by this Act.

12. And be it enacted, That no slabs or edgings, or other mill
rubbish, sawdust excepted, shall be allowed or put, d» jtly or in-
directly, by any person or persons, in any of the Rivers or Streams
of this Province.

13. And be it enacted. That whoever shall be convicted of
any breach of the provisions of the eleventh and twelfth sections of
this Act, shall be subject to the like pains and penalties as provided
in and by the third section of this Act, and be recoverable as here-
inbefore provided.— [7?e/)ea/efl? by Act of 1852, which follows.]

14. And be it enaated, That any person or persons prosecuting
or giving evidence on any prosecution for the recovery of any
penalty or penalties under the provisions of this Act, who shall be
guilty of wilful and corrupt false swearing on such prosecution,
shall be deemed guilty of perjury, and on conviction thereof before
any Court of competent jurisdiction, shall be liable to all the. pains
and penalties imposed by law upon persons guilty of perjury.

( No. 27. )
Act 15 Victoria, Chap. 53,

In amendment of the Act for the protection and regulation of the
Sea and River Fisheries of this Province.

Pamd'Jih ^pril\%52.
Be it enacted by the Lieutenant Governor, Legislative Council
and Assembly, as follows: —

1. The thirteenth section of an Act made and passed in the
fourteenth year of the Reign of Her present Majesty, intituled An
Act for the protection and regulation of the Sea and River Fisheries
of this Province, is hereby repealed.

2. Whoever shall be convicted of an}" breach oT the provisions
of the eleventh and twelfth sections '''' the said recited Act shall
forfeit and pay a sum not less than ten shillings and not exceeding
fifteen pounds for each and every offence, at the discretion of the
Justices of the Peace before whom the case may be tried, together
with the costs of prosecution as provided in and by the eighth sec-
tion of the said hereinbefore recited Act.

Wl

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294

Appendix.

No. 27

3. The streams and rivers of the Province to which fish have
not at any time heretofore been in the habit of resorting shall be
considered as exempt from the operation of the eleventh section of
the said recited Act, and it shall be the duty of the Warden or
Wardens within whose jurisdiction such streams and rivers shall
fall, to determine npon such exemption.

4. The Justices of the Peace for any County or Counties to
which any Warden or Wardens may have b6en appointed under
the aforesaid Act, may at any General Sessions of the Peace, or
at any Special Sessions of the Peace for that purpose convened, be
and they are hereby authorized to make such rate and assessment
upon the inhabitants of the said County or Counties as will raise
the sum of forty pounds for each Warden appointed under the said
Act, the same to be assessed, levied, collected and paid agreeably
to any Acts now or hereafter to be in force for the assessing, coi>
lecting and levying County rates.

5. That angling for salmon shall be permitted until the fifteenth
day of September, anything iii the first section of the hereinbefore
recited Act to the contrary notwithstanding.

fe'J:

^ I;

No. 27

fish have
g shall be

section of
harden or
ivers shall

ounties to
ted under
Peace, or
ivened, be
ssessment
will raise
T the said
agreeably
3sing, coi>

e fifteenth
reinbefore