CIHM Microfiche Series (IMonographs) ICIMH Collection de microfiches (monographies) (Ml Canadian Instituta for Historical Microraproductions / liwtitiit Canadian da microraproductions Mstoriquas Technical and Bibliographic Notes / Notes techniques et bibliographiques Th« Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual ntethod of filming are checked below. □ Coloured covers / Couverture de couteur j I Covers damaged / Couverture endommag^e □ Covers restored and/or laminated / Couverture restaur^e et/ou peliicul^e I I Cover title missing / Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes gtegraphiques en couleur I j Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black) / Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) Coloured plates and/or illustrations / Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur □ □ □ Bound with other material / Reli6 avec d'autres documents Only editton available / Seule 6ditk}n disponible □ □ Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin / La reliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distorsion le long de la marge intdrieure. Blank leaves added during restorations may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming / Use peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutees lors d'une restauration appareissent dans le texts, mais. lorsque cela 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont pas M f ilmtes. Additkinal comments / Commentaires suppl6mentaires: L'Institut a mierofilmA le meilteur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6\6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exem- plaire qui sont peut-dtre unkjues du point de vue bibli- ographique, qui peuvwit nwdifier une Image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modifk:ation dans la mitho* de nomriale de filmage sont indK|u6s ci-dessous. I I Coloured pages/ Pages dscmrfeur I I Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^ □ Pages restored and/or laminated / Pages restaurtes et/ou pellicula 1^ Pages discoloured, stained or foxed / Pages d^colortes, tachet^es ou pkiutes I I Pages detached / Pages ddtachdes |v/{ Showthrough/ Transparence r~T^ Quality of print varies / i I I Quality in^gale de I'i'rnsresston □ □ Includes suppk r. v, Comprenddu rvtr ir\ material/ £l suppMmentaire □ Pages wholly or pa .y obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image / Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuiiletd'enata, urw pelure, etc., ont 6\6 filmdes k nouveau de fa^on k obtenir ia meilleure image possible. Opposing pages with varying colouration or discolourations are filmed twice to ensure the best possible image / Les pages s'opposant ayant des colorations variables ou des decolorations sont filmtes deux fois afin d'obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item it filmed at the reduction ratio checked below / Ce document est filmi au taux de rMuction indiqus ci-dessoui. lOx 14x 18x 22x 26x 30x 12x 18x 20x 24x 28x 32k Th« copy filmed hara has baan raproducad thanks to th« ganaroaity of: MstfoMl Library of Cuwds Tha imagas appaaring hara ara tha bast quality poasibia conaldaring tha condition and lagibility of tha original copy and In kaaping with tha filming contract apoeiflcationa. Original copies in printad papar covars ara filmad beginning with tha front cover and ending on tha last page with a printed or Illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All ottier originel copies ara filmed beginning on tha first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the lest page writh a printad or HltMtratad impreaaion. The last recorded frame on eech microfiche shall contain tha symbol (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol ▼ (meaning "END"), whichever appliea. Maps, plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as msny frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: 1 L'axamplair* filmA fut raproduit grict k la g4n4roait4 da: BiblfotMqiw Mtlonale du Canada La« imagas suivantaa ont M raproduitas avae la plua grand toin. eompta tanu da la condition at do la nattat* da I'axamplaira film*, at an eonformit* avac loa eonditiona du contrat da filmaga. Laa axamplairaa originaux dont la couvartura an papiar aat Imprimia aont filmte an eommanpant par la pramiar plat at an tarminant aolt par la darniira paga qui eomporta una amprainta d'impraaaion ou d'illuatration, soit par la second plat, aalon la cas. Tous let autras examplaires originaux sont filmte an commandant par la pramlAra paga qui eomporta una amprainta d'impraasion ou d'llluatration at an tarminant par la darniira paga qui eomporta una talla amprainta. Un daa aymbolaa suivanta apparaftra tur la darniira imaga da chaqua microfiche, selon la eas: la symbola — ^ aignifia "A SUIVRE", la aymboia ▼ aignifia "FIN". Laa cartaa. planchaa, tableaux, etc.. pauvent itra filmte A daa taux da reduction diffirants. Lorsqua la document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est film* i partir da Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche i droita, at da haut an bas. an pranant la nombra d'imagaa n^caaaaira. Laa diagrammaa suivanta illuatrant la mttttodo. WANTED! A FISHERIES BOARD FOR THE ^ MAKITIME PPvOVINCES Fisheries Board for the Maritime Provinces. its adoption here would be in int wkh tivs poKcy which has proved most succeafui in th« dcvdopHMnt of th« fishing industry in other oounirin. By A. h) WHtTMAlf, Ckiurmm FMtrkt CnmmH$«», BtHitm Board of Trad§. HE present is a time when we should consider where we stand in the development of Caoade, and ascertain what we can do to podi our development so that the East may not be «\ltogether overshadow- ed by the ' ling greatnen of *^he West. With this in view it is the purpose of X^is article to give a short review of the use we have made of our natural resources in order to arouse public opinion to the necessity of taking immediate steps to stop the present drifting methods in connec- timi with the fisheries, which can well be considered the natural industry that has so far had the least consideration, and this notwithstanding the admis- sion on all sides of the benefits that would result fr the proper administration of laws and regulatio along with an energetic educative policy on the {..a of those in authority. That the people of the Maritime Provinces, and Nova Scotia in particular, are becoming fully alive to the absolute necessity of conserving and develop- ing their great natural resources, is instanced by the activity of the Nova Scotia Government and the good work of Professor Gumming with regard to Agricul- ture. The Nova Scotia Lumbermen's Assodation, being alive to the threatened extinction of our forest wealth, has been instrumental in having such legisla- tion passed and such action taken as will ensure the permanence of the lumbering industry. Turning to the mining industries, we find that we have cause for pride in the greatly increased output of our coal 3 mines, iind the prospect of the early development ot our immense deposits of iron ore. Such attention has been paid to tliese great natural industries that we ind the population engaged therein to be on the in- crease, and particularly in the case of mining. But what do we find when we come to consider the history and present standing of our ftshing indus- try? While other countries have adopted a progres- sive policy for their fisheries, Canadians have been and apparently are content to allow this great natural asset to remain neglected, burdened with unkept laws and regulations, and without any progressive educative policy, such as has been applied to our other great natural resources. The result is that our fish- eries are retrograding, our fishing population is de- pleted, and a general demoralization is found in practically every branch of the industry. These facts are generally admitted at Ottawa. A short review of the condilions now prevailing in Eastern Canada will c( iclusively demonstrate the necessity of prompt action n order to conserve and develop the various branche;^ of the Canadian fisher- ies. It is useless to turn to the official returns as piven in the annaal blue book issued by the Depart- ment of Marine and Fisheries, as these are acknow- ledged, even by the Departmental officers themselves, to be so inaccurate as to be practically useless. The returns are not merely mostly guesswork, but in some instances show such gross exaggeration that it is impossible to accept them as indicating even a{q>rox!- mately the true value of the product. DRV FISH INDUSTRY. It is generally admitted that the catch of fish in Eastern Canada as dried for export, has been steadily diminishing. The year 1907 saw some forty sail less engaged in the Bank and Bay fisheries out of Lunen- hurfi than in 1906, and this year (1908) shows no improvement. Every sail less in our Banking fleet means a loss of at least twenty men to the industry, and these men, not finding other employment at home, emigrate to the United States and the West. The chief renson for this decline is the increasing difficulty experienced by the fishermen in securing ihe necessary supply of bait, a difficulty that could cer- 4 tainly to some extent be overcome by the scientific operation of bait free/ers under the supervision of a Fisheries Board, free from political control. It is cvi* dent too, that a gnat deal could be done !n an edu* cative way with regard to factical information about the movements oi fish in our waters and the best methods of curing:. White in certain sections the shore catch of codfish, etc., uftve years. Is it not worth an effort to try and put new life into the dry fish industry? Under present condi- tions it is quite safe to say that the next census win show a further decrease in our fishing population. PICKLED FISH. It is in the handling of pickled fish, however, that the utr ost necessity can be shown for the adoption of better methods, such as were brought about under Board supervision in Scotland and else- where. The first thing to consider is the package. Under the present system of administration there is no such thing as a standard pickled-fish barrel. While large quantities of barrel staves cut to a stand- ard size are exported from Canada to Scotland, for use in the immense Herring industry of that coun- try, Canada herself has been quite satisfied to have her pickled-fish products packed in barrels that are a disgrace to the trade, and entail nothing but trouble and loss to the various handlers. A large part of the mackerel catch of Nova Scotia is "jumped" into herring barrels, resulting in loss of weight, deterior- ation of the fish, and a shrinkage in value of the pro- duct of anywhere from $i.oo to $4.00 per barrel. The lack of uniformity in the pack of herring as regards the package, quality and weight in the barrels, is too well known to need further elaboration. Standard packages should be established, and all concerned should be educated to the necessity of using such packages, and to the curing and packing of their fish with as much uniformity as possible, so that instead of our product filing mostly in markets taking low grades of fish, with corresponding results, it would command prices such as are obtained by the trade in s eouatriM that lMir»>adoptod standards. Tlw stiffOM that at present attaches to Canadian pickled fish in tlM ocmsuming markets of the world would then be rwnovadi The adoption nf legal standards of package and quality does not mean the forcing of the Scof'~h or any other method of curing upon the fishermen or merchants, for outside of this there is room for a vast improvement under the present methods. As things are now, the pickled fish trade, both domes- tic and foreign, is in a state of stagnatkMi caused by the uncertainty of the buyer as to what he is likely to get when he buys Canadian pickled fish, together with the fact that he knows that, even if the weight and quality are all right, he is HafaJe to a heavy loM owing to the wretched packages the fish are packed in, necessitating constant watchfulness on his part in order to keep pickle on the fish. With the existence of this state of affairs it is not to be wondered at that the domestic trade have practically given up handling pickled fish, and that merchants are constantly hav- ing to turn down orders for the American markets which require guaranteed goods, and rely on the West Indies to take the bulk of the product. In the West India markets the inferiority of the pack, short weight, etc., are more or less accepted, being dis- counted by the low prices that are paid. There is no question that our dwindling and demoralized pickled- fish trade can be put on the same satisfactory basis as exists in European countries if we adopt an educa- tive and progressive policy such as is in f^rce in Scotland under the Board system of administration. LOBSTERS. The most important of the fisheries of the Atlan- tic seaboard at present is the tobster fishery. The depletion of the lobster in other countries, due un- doubtedly to some extent to the destructiveness of man, is what makes this industry so i^usMe to Canada, until to-day it is our boast that, as a com- mercial commodity, from a canning standpoint, we produce fully ninety per cent, (go p. c.) of die world's annual output. It should be our aim to sur- round this industry, whkh is of so high a degree of 6 importunce, with such rtfuIatfcMf u wUi not only perpetuate it, but even increase the output. There are many opinions as to what brings about the greatest destruction of the lobster with us. So eminent an authority as Professor Herrick, who in the last decade mnde a comprehensive research, cov- crinj; two or three ye.'irs, of the life and habits of tlie lobster, recommended to the American Govern* ment, at the conclusion of his researches, that in order to s;ivc this fish from romplrte destruction, it would be necessary to prevent flie catching of all lobsters under ten and a half inches. During the year of 1907, he has, however, placed himself on record in favour of a complete clianije in his original decision, and now proposes tli.it the rci;uIations be so changed as to permit only of the catching of lobsters below ten and a half inches. This change In attitude on the p.irt of Profissot Herrick was brought about by the fact that the United States Fish Commission has been spending large amounts of money annually for the purpose of restoring the depicted waters of Maine and Massachusetts, and while there has been a small increase in the quantity caught, the results ore total- ly unsatisfactory. It would therefore seem that furt' r scientific research is absbkitely necessary, and that if such research were conducted along proper lines with the aid of results obtained from practical obser- vation, a large amount of information would be gath- ered, upon which laws could be constructed having for their object the preservation of this most import- ant fishery. That the diversified opinions of the many writers of the day can hardly attain to practical results must be acknowledged when the lack of scientific irforma- tion is so evident. If, as has been heralded, it is possible in hatcheries to save forty-six per cent (46 p.c.) of the eggs of the lobsters (heretofore two per cent. (2 p.c.) has been considered the basis) it must be apparent that the supply of lobsters can be in- creased very materially; and as the process which brought about such results is a very simple one, the benefits to be realized very far outweigh the cost, and it is to such a question as this that a board system of administration would lend itself with very great success. 7 It it uniMcttMry to rcdte that th« rvgulatiom •! present on the statute books of Canada, witk rtftf" ena- to the lobster n .hery, are not enforced There ii abaotuteiy no diaafreeiMnt between the tishcrmcn and the canners on the one common ground of the preservation of the industry. Whatever meas> ures will brinff about an increase in the production of loI)>^tcrs will lie of mutual benefit, and it is towards this common end that all interests should unite; but to allow the matter to drift as has been done for some years past, must nK*nn eventually the destruction of the lobster industry almost in its entirety. V» . I>i>tli fishermen .-iiifl packers reqniro is a progrf policy, progressive administration towards a coi:.<. i. benefit, and short of this we must not stop. The mnrM'IIrnis fecundity of tlie lobster goes a Ion,, .vay to prevent possible extinction, but tlie un- certainty of their permanency, deduced from the ix- pcriences of other countries, should be put beyond doubt. Laws based an knowlc Jge, not guess work, are absolutely necessary. Then the fearless and {.ro- gressive carrying out of such, not worked out from a centre one thousand miles distant, but in the heart of the industry, would do much for the benefit of all interested. OYSTERS. A glance at the oyster br ^h of the industry will, wc think, convince the k it skeptical of he absolute necessity of biir.ging i.ito existence some system of administration ih.u will rescue that as well as other branches of th? fisheries from total destruc- tion. At the ^iisent ti ..r the Maritime Provinces crnnot be said i have an oyster fishery at all; and this, notwithstanding the fact that Captain E. Kempt, Oyster Expert of the Fisheries IDepartment at Otta- wa, has demonstrated beyond doubt, that we have most extensive cultivatable areas all over the Mari- time Provinces where the waters contain the neces- sary chemical properties for the growth and nutrition of this delicious bivalve. The fact that in many places natural beds of oysters once existed where now practically none are obtainable, demonstrates the ex- tent of the destruction that has taken place. Son-.e nine or ten years ago a few small oysters were plant- 8 ed in the Annapolis River, where they quickly grew to a large size. This planting was done by the De- partment, but no attempt was made to catch the spat or young oysters at the proper season, or to protect the bed; consequently, it was soon depleted by picnicers. Piles of oyster shells on the shore tes- tify to the facts. This is an instance of what could be carried out in many, if not all, of the bays and inlets of the Maritime Provinces, either where natur- al beds do or do not at present exist. Intelligent cultivation would enlarge their production a hundred fold. The most superficial study of the oyster indus- try as carried on in other countries will clearly show its enormous value, where it has been intelligently conducted, and it will just as clearly demonstrate that where natural beds are dragged and furrowed by in- discriminate fishing at any or all times, it is easily possible to destroy the fishery. CLAM BEDS. The clam beds of the Maritime Provinces are be- ing depleted in many cases to supply bait to foreign fishermen. Under the supervision of fishery officers, having the improvement of the fisheries at heart, steps should be taken to conserve our clam beds for the benefit of all concerned, and particularly from the fishermen's standpoint. THE FISHERY BOARD IDEA AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN SCOTLAND AND ELSEWHERE. The idea of a Fishery Board for the proper pre- servation, protection and development of the fishing industry, is one that has already proved its worth. One hundred years ago the pickled fish industry of Scotland was in practically the same unsatisfactory condition and position as is that of the Maritime Pro- vinces to-day. A popular agitation brought about the appointment by the Government of Great Britaiu, of Royal Commissioners for the betterment and con- trol of the industry in Scotland. These Royal Com- tiiissioners were succeeded by what is now known as the Fishery Board for Scotland, which, if jodgwl bjr results, is the best and most effective method of fish- ery administration in the world. The laws enacted upon the recommendations of the Baud are sun|rfe 9 and effeetire, and have, together with the thoroughly proficient and capable staff of officers under direction of the Board, brought the industry in Scotland to its present profitable condition. Twenty-five or thirty years ago the Government of Norway awakened to the possibilities of improve- ment in their fishery, and sent capable men to all the European countries to study the situation, and re- port. On these reports it was decided to adopt the Scotch system, including the Board. As a result, the fisheries of Norway have been put in the front rank among the fisheries of the world. About seven years ago Iceland adopted the Fish- ery Board system, patterned after the Scotch, with even a more complete system of inspection than is carried out by any other government, inasmuch as they grant a certificate with every parcel of pickled or dried fish for export to a foreign country. This experiment has proved so effective and correct that the trading in European countries is actually done on these certificates. In the United States the administration of the fisheries is carried out through separate State Com- missions, whose efforts have resulted in the immense development of various branches of the industry, notably in the case of oysters. Laws have been made to suit the various local conditions, and haVe been so effectively carried out that oyster culture is now on a systematic and scientific basis; the output con- stantly increasing and the value wdl up in the mil- lions of dollars. The following particulars in regard to the Fish- eries Board of Scotland, will, it is hoped, help to arouse those interested in this important industry to the need of concerted action towards the adoption of the Board system of administration in Canada. The Scottish Board, after which the other Boards are patterned, is now composed of nine mem- bers, three of whom represent the fishermen, three the merchants, curers, packers and exporters, one a scientist, one a legal advisor, and the Chairman, who is appointed by the Government. The only paid member is the Chairman, the others getting only travelling fees. TIm Chairman is a^inted fcMr life. 10 The other members for terms of five years, and are eligible for re-election. The Board has complete control of an efficient office stnf at headquarters, and also the entire out- side staff for the conduct of its affairs. It has entire control of the standard of package, cure, selection, and grading of all fish offering for inspection, which is optional. All its appointments are by competitive examination, and promotions are made according to ability. The staff of inspectors are men who have had not less than five years active experience as coopers and curers, and also have passed the ordinary civil service examination with not less than fifty per cent, of marks. The Board keeps in close touch with all the es- tablished markets by sending inspectors to ascertain, from importers and distributors in foreign countries, what improvements can be made to make the ^oods more acceptable to the consumer. In this way, through the Board, the consumer is brought into touch with the producer. The Board, through its scientific department, gives most extensive reports on all matters that have a direct or even an indirect bearing on the commer- cial side of the industry. The legal member of the Board looks after the legality of the Board's actions, and has control of counsel who may be in any way in the employ of the Board. The Board as a whole recommends new laws or changes in existing laws, and is clothed with the authority for the carrying out of the laws as they exist. It has nothing whatever to do with how, when and where a fisherman shall sell his catch, i.or does it interfere with any curer or exporter in the marketing of his goods. It does, however, establish a standard up to which it is desired that all the pro- duct of the industry should come, and when that is done it affixes it