IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

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Photograpliic

Sciences
Corporation

33 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

4'

CIHM/ICMH

Microfiche

Series.

CIHIVI/ICIVIH
Collection de
microfiches.

Canadian Institute for Historfcal IVIicroreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques

Technical and Bibliographic Notea/Notos techniques at bibliographiquea

Th
to

The Inatitute haa attempted to obtain the beat
original copy available for filming. Featurea of thia
copy which may be bibliographically unique,
which may alter any of the imagea in the
reproduction, or which may significantly change
the usual method of filming, are checlced below.

0

D

D

D

D

D

D

Coloured covers/
Couverture de couleur

I I Covers damaged/

Couverture endommagia

Covers restored and/or laminated/
Couverture restaurAe et/ou pelliculAe

I I Cover title missing/

Le titre de couverture manque

I I Coloured maps/

Cartes gAographiques en couleur

Coloured inic (i.e. other than blue or biacic)/
Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bieue ou noire)

I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/

Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur

Bound with other material/
Reli6 avec d'autres documents

Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion
along interior margin/

La reiiure serr6e peut causer de i'ombre ou de la
distortion ie long de la marge intirieure

Bianic leaves added during restoration may
appear within the text. Whenever possible, these
have been omitted from filming/
11 se peut que certaines pages blanches ajouties
iors d'une rastauration apparaissent dans le texte,
mais, lorsque cala 6tait possible, ces pages n'ont
pas iti filmAas. .

Additional comments:/
Commentaires supplAmentaires;

L'institut a microf limA la mailfaur exemplaire
qu'il lui a AtA poaaible de se procurer. Les ditaiia
de cet exemplaire qui aont peut-Atre uniquea du
point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier
une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une
modification dans la mAthode normale de fiimage
sont indiqu6s ci-dessoua.

I I Coloured pages/

D

Pages de couleur

Pages damaged/ -.
Pages endommagAes

Pages restored and/oi

Pages restauriea ot/ou pelliculAes

Pages discoloured, stained or foxe<
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r^ Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/

□ Pages detached/
Pages d6tachtea

y. Showthrough/
i^ Transparence

|~~| Quality of print varies/

Quality inigaie de i'impression

Includes supplementary material/
Comprend du matAriai suppiAmentaire

Only edition available/
Seule Edition diaponibie

Pages wholly or partially obscured by erreta
slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to
ensure the best possible image/
Les pages totaiement ou partieliement
obscurcies par un feuiiiet d'errata, une pelure,
etc., ont At* fiimAes A nouveau de fa^on A
obtenir la maiileure image possible.

Th
po
of
fill

Or
be
th(
sic

oti
fin
sic
or

Th
sh
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Mi
dif
en
be
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Thin item ii filmed at the reduction ratio checlced below/

Ce document est film* au taux de rMuction indiquA ci-dessous.

10X

14X

18X

22X

26X

30X

J

12X

16X

20X

24X

28X

32X

The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks
to the generosity of:

Harold Campbell Vaughan Memorial Library
Acadia Univenity

L'exemplaire filmi fut reproduit grAce A la
gAnirositi de:

Harold Campbell Vaughan Memorial Library
Auadia University

The images appearing here are the best quality
possible considering the condition and legibility
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Les images suivantes ont 4t6 reproduites avec le
plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et
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conformity avec les conditions du contrat de
filmage.

Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed
beginning with the front cover and ending on
the last page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All
other original copies are filmed beginning on the
first page with a printed or illustrated impres-
sion, and ending on the last page with a printed
or illustrated impression.

Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en
papier est imprim6e sont film^s en commenpant
par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la
dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second
plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires
originaux sont film6s en commen^ant par la
premidre page qui comporte une empreinte
d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par
la dernidre page qui comporte une telle
empreinte.

The last recorded frame on each microfiche
shall contain the symbol — »> (meaning "CON-
TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END"),
whichever applies.

Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la
dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le
cas: le symbols — ► signifie "A SUIVRE". le
symbols V signifie "FIN".

Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at
different reduction ratios. Those too large to be
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right and top to bottom, as many frames as
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Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre
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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre
reproduit en un seul clichA, il est filmA A partir
de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite,
et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre
d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants
illustrent la mAthode.

1

2

3

12 3

4 5 6

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REPORT

ox THE

nSlIEKIES or NOVA SCOTIA

By THOMAS F. KXIOi.r,

ALTiioi: or ••xovA scoriA and ii:;it iiksuuiicks," (I'mzv; t-spav,; and
rAMriii.FT.s o.\ Tin: ri-iuanK.s or nova scotia.

15 Y At TIIOIJITY.

t^^-.^
A

HALIFAX. N. S.
TRINTED IJY A. GRANT,

rrjKXER TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT aiAJESTV.

18GT.

»#;%yjr-

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COXTKXT.S.

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SUKI.I. Fi.MI Im^II Oil s

(;.:xi;i;ai. i;emai:ks (»\ iiii; s::a fisiii;uii:s ,>^

J. Till' lakiii:,' FisliiMit of S«'a.>(i:i ,,

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ODSTIILX'TIONS IX KIVHR.S 22

FJ.SHKUY PuoTKCriO-N SOCIKTV 23

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STATK.MKNT OF FISIIINC LICKXSKS

Issuvil <tt thr Ciis/",ii //;. //.'•■.', J'nrf Mnhirni't', X. S., to United States J^'ssch^

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No.

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IJ.iimrr

Rii-lili;:lit

l"(in-.i ( ^hiccii ....

Lii'y Dale

NViiiL'jirislicck . . .
' icncral f li'.'int . . .
William T.M.T.ha

.Mdiiliuiu

Is.Im] L. ricnv..
Cnrii !\Ii)n'i>(iii . . .

Scrniii Ami

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l''iiilia.'k

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Laura .AI. IMar.'iimi
WiM IIoV.T... . .

S.'a Flower

Omcjrn

(Jeueral ( iraiit . .
(ionil 'IV-miilai'. . .
Xoriherii Star.. . .
Colonel C'<iok ....

Ke-lininii

AValerlall

Frank SkilFne^s . .
DasIiiiiLT Wave . . .
Florence IJeed . . .
t(!raee Dai'liiej'. . .
Ill'Jidyer .......

Snow Sniiull ....

AViieh ol

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ot) Muntei'oy ,

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( lloiictstci-. .Alass

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('oiia-.<i't, Ma~.- .
.Soiiili[ioit. Maine
(ilouci<!er. Ma-.-

Do

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Soutli|)ort, Maine
I'orllanil do.

CanKl'ii do.

( ilou '('Mer. I\Ias.>
f'amden. Maine.
( Jloiici-tei'. r.Ias?
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liockiiort, do.

Win. .T. TnriMT . . .

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.las. Cii>liin<;

1 )anie| Smiili

W. (JardiK r

K. IJntl.r

Thos PelTV

I'atiiek Maladv.
y\. M. WmMi.'. ...

1). Y. Fiere..

riia.s. IlitiLiins ....
("li.n-. S. (lafk....

\. l'>ern,-(iii

.1. W. (iraliam ....
Ileidien I'yder. . . .

S.iud. (iil.-on

\\'in. II:in|).-o!i . . .

K. Slapleton

C'lia-, Liit'kin , . .
W. A. Dickey ....

A. Ju-epli

.fohn Orelianl ....

(i. E. Lane

Wm. Davis

< it o. lieaiv-e

'I'lios. Ilodire . . . .
Henry C'ampljell . .

^[o>es (irilliii

K/ar Hall

II.jjTliompsoii ....
L. A\'o()(lsworth ...
Jame< Tiifiier . . . . j

K. Filield .|

Lewi.s Smith ....
F». IF. Xeweoinl) .
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K. A. JiOiiiljiinl . . ,
(}. M. Iloplvins ..,
Mary A. Snow. . . ,

On'aii H.'Uc

General (Jraiil . . . ,
Gt-'orge Walloii . . ,

A. II. Kaye

.John Nye

Bruce riiahi-!

ITarriot Toirey . ,
Islaiiil (.|)iieeii . . . .
E. K. Dresser...,

ICastern Lif.^lit

M. C. Howe

Mary Snow

Millie Wasiiburnc.

Pcseador

Alaska

Harliara Frieteliie. .

Clialeydony

William Sutton.. .
Juliet M. Kilden .
Knuna J. (!otr . . . .
Ilijjrliland Cliiel' . ,
Golden Ea;_de . . . .
Thomas Fit(;li . . . .

Kit Carson

W. II. At wood ...
Etla E. Sylvester .

Allen Lewis

Wenonali

Diadem

Ella L. Trolethen .
Equity (boat) . . . .
Davi(l A. Osier . . .

Smith Tut tie

Christie Johnson . .

IF. Corenee

I Veteran

I Circassian

iOak Grove

[James Jewett

INIary Low

^luria Webster . . .
Almanza (boat) . . .
Abigiail Brown . . ,
John W. Brown . . .

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i I'rovincelown, <lo.

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liooth Bav. Main<

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I'rovincetown, Ma>

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Frovincetown. do.

Norwich, Coiui . . .
, 'I'rovincetown, Ma-
JWellflect, do.

.iDeer Me, :Maine.
, iBootli Bay, do.
i Cohasset, Mass. . .
, illarwich. do. . . .
, JForllaud, Maine .
, Gloucester, Mass..
Do. do . .
■ l Do. do..
, AVelliiect, do..
. iGloucester, do. .
.| Do. do..

Belfast, Maine. . .

Do

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Gloucester, INIass .

lAVelllleet, do. .

I'rankibrt, Maine.

Gloucester, Mass.
Do. . . .

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.'aU.-ii W. Bieh....
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, W illiam ('oo<

. |M. K. I'ar.-ons. . . .
. .lohii Freeman . , . .
. .John T. Wyl.'y . . .

. John Collins

..r. W. Edwards...

. .lohii Collin-

. Charles Bed

.'.Fohn Iv. Ilowaid.
.;.Vli.ert Tan-...-. . .

.'S. J. Iticii

. J,iu)<'s F. At wood. .

.!E. J. Held

. Aaron l{i;:;rs ... .
. ! William lleri'iek. .
. Gili)ert Davis

! Charles Lee

. B. 11. .^vlve.-ter. , .

s;R. A. Bull

. .F. A. Freeman . . . .

.I.L G. Band

. iGeorire Fettijrrew ,
s James E. Bich ....

.II. A. (.Jlross

. (.!eo. B. Svlvester. .

. F. K. Benl

. v.Jeorge Taylor. . . .
. I William P. Taylor.

Ebcn BiT'wer. . . .

Thomas Kimball . .

.Charles W. Gsier..

. 'N. Saunders

. I James "Wyley

. jG. Parsons

. 'Horace ^litcliell. . .
.'j. S. Sylvester....
. Samuel Burgess. . .
. !,I. IM. Baidcs

^L II. Adams . . . .

W. C. Newcomb . .

. AV. P. Clark

. James IMcNeill . . .
. M. Whelan

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Mary S. lliinl

Saura A. I loiM ....
Oliver Croiiiwi'll . . .

Cadet

Liiriiilout

U. K. AlWMiul

Alien P. IIii.'j_niis. . .

15. 1). Piiiiee'.

Indus (lioat)

Sea Spiay

Ocean ( leiii

Arizona

L(jtti(i F. r»ab.-:On. . .

Isaac AVallon

Aloniini: .Star

C. C. Dame

E. W. Merchaut . . .

Piay State .

Lancet

May (^ueon

Franklin Pierce . . . .
Commodore Foote. .
Eben Dale. ......

We-l|iorl. Maine .

Dei'l' 1-le, dn . . .
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Proviiieetown. (h>

Newliiiryport, do

iGIoiicc.-iler, do

Do. do

Do. dn

Do. do

Ca.-iine, .Maine . .
Oloucester, 3Ias.s

Do....

Do....

Do....

Do. . . .

Da.. ..

Do....

Do. . . .

an,

(In

dn,

do,

do,

do,

(In

do.

13;i ^lorninn; Star.
140 Farragiit . . . .
iH W. K. Pa.rc.

. ( lenl'LTe P. ( 'olliV . .

, iA. '1''. Hardy. .'. . .
> Fraiiei- .Iiiiivriii . . .

. l-a.ie 1'. .Mnr-e... .

. (ieorjic W. Ailaiii.s.
. N. MiKimny ....

. .laim - lirow n

. Tlioma- ( Irady . . .j

.'AH'ivd li.dl !

. Call!. L. Kieli ... ,

L. Ilnl.h^ •

. .Inlni i; llimley . .
. F. L. Xeweninl). . . '
. Geoi'.'i. C. .Inhiison

.'p. (iiir.rd I

. .Inlin '■',. Ke'iip. . .
. M. Wlielaii ;

U. W, I.aird . ...'

.'.^. I). Pirh

. ( ieor'.^e S. IJni^ers . j
. 1.. N. .MrFeall. ...'
. Oliver 'I'linina.s. ...
. S. Jelleivy

. V,'. v. Px'veraj^e . .
, X McKinnev ....

. J. F. Wi\om

. llarvev Kiiowltmi.

. 1!. .M.'rripi.

(icorue 11. Clarke.
, Cliaiie- 11. Xiiti; . .
. Al)i-Iia Dnaiie ....
. X. P. Hi--in^ ... .

. F. K. Alwnixl

. Z. Pi.'i,

. K. K^an-

. ,]. DanieN

. ^ViIIianl Faiireiiee.
. William Cineiileat'.

.;l{. 1). Terry

. jjame.s "NV. Faton. .

. II. R. Smith

. Wm. K. GoiiUl . . .

William Walsh . . .

. William riiomas . .

. (!eor<re F. Forest. .

. -M. Su-v</ns

. William Dt'iiqisev.
. James S. P.ell . .". .

('.2
3'.i
■10
•')7
21
('..")
.'.2
•It)
72
!.■.
.■.2

r>()

i>i
|.')

,V.I
10

r>c,
I'.i
.■|(;
h;
c.i

- •>
.»■>

'.10

•17
12

71
(11

r.i

2')

."»()
17

(;2

Itnto
Ton.

ioiui.

T I

Do .To^ieph Martin ,

Do John Power. . ,

Eastport, Maine. . . W. Mulloeh,

«(

((

n
(t
(«

it
U
(.

t*
n
u
a
a
((
t>
u
«
«
t(
u
<(
u
((
It
tt
(t

Ik

tt

K

a
t)

tt
It

;j.)

■10

••

■11

it

ol

it

■10

i>

AS

it

■10

it

3'.)

it

■l.S

u

o3

ft

40

tt

40

t(

42

a

05

if

Jl O0S02 00

3;i 00

40 00
37 00
24 00
O.'t 00
.'.2 00

k; iio

72 oO

1.". OO

."i2 oO

.')3 00

311 00

.■)() (10

;;(; oo

i 07 OO

' !.•. 00

j .V.» 00

i 4o 00

I ,'){] oO

4'.) 00

I .m; oO

; IC, 00

1 <;i oO

i .'.;; oo

j .■);', oO

j '.10 oO

I 17 00

42 oO

')'.] oO

74 oO

01 oO
41) oO
2.") 00
;')() oO

47 no

02 00
:>:] (,i()
40 00
14 00
.')1 00
40 00

48 oO
40 00
39 00

48 00
53 00

49 00

I .

40 00
42 OO
05 00

VIU

No.

Kamc dl' Vcs-.t'l.

Tort.

Mrt.-'tir.

Tdiis.

per
'I'lin.

To fill.

(iloiK'fstcr. ]\Ia>.s
Do.. ..

:rK»otli lliiv, ]M;iiii
! Do. ' do.

( Hoiu'okt, jM;i-.-.

142 .Charles AV. Brown

143 'Areola

144 'C. V. Miiiot Wcstnort. :\raiii('

14") George lVaI)0(ly . . . (Jloiice.-tcr, INIa
140 |Aliee M. (ioiild...

147 Telecrraiili

14H Cliar-er

Mi) Centre Point

15(» G. G. Kid.ler ,

lol 'Andrew •lolnisoa . . .
1.V2 William li. Tluirslon

1.").') Wiluiileer

1;VI fsiae Somes

li)') Laura T. Chester. . . Truro. ^Fa--. . . ,

lo(> Vision , . Illiniiiiaiu. Ma--

157 l''lyinti; .Mi-t iGlouce-lir. do,

l.")S l^a-lern Clipin'r. . . . l\Vcst|iort, .Alaini

lo'.» Archer

1(10 Oeean LoiIlh* Gloiieesler. ^la

ini Wcallieriruai^e . .

I('i2 Ann Maria

K;;; it. r>. Stanwood.
1() 1 Fashion.. ......

K;,") Ahl.y IMorse

1 (il'i Prima Donna ...

1(17 Chaparral

IGM Kliza Jane. ...

H. A. .lohnson. .
Iiiversdale .....
Kllcn Frances . .
Tra\erse

Kl'J
17"
171
172
17;)

P.. C. Cook

\\. T. Torrev. . . .

A. L. Coll.v'.

U. IMiikham

e. John (iould

Isaae Tlulehin- . . . .
Wni. II. Tlnn>ton .

Do TimotliN' Orlir . . . .

Do G.'i rire'M. Ueid . .

Do William MeDrllan.

Do lames 'rhdrlmrn.. .

Do I. r.. Smith

Do A. C. AdauK

F. Cohl)

1{. D. C^)!.

.S. Niekci'-on

William 1). P.arler.

jSoutlqiorl. do.... CIe<ir,:^i' AV. Pierec .

Alexander Smith. .

Do V. C. 'I'homas

Do I. J. Collin

Do A. J. 1 lannnond. . ,

Do lohn J'cler-on . . . ,

\'inal Haven, Ale. . F. J. llopkin-. .. .

'Southport, do. . . A. F. vSmall

St. George, do. . . T. ll.Trr]

Gloucester, Mass. .III. M. Collins. . . .

l)o .\lon/o IIoH>rook. ,

Do '.hilm Scott

Do Laurence iMeney.

Island, Ale. I Freeman (iott. .. ,

Swan

North Haven, do.

'F. Thoma-

David llrown, jimr. .

171 Fldorado !(iloucester, ALiss.

17") Sarah F. >«ii:htingale'Fastport, Alaine. .
17(1 Ivohcrt Fmmel iGIoucester, Alass.

177 Fmpire State Do

178 T. L. Alayo Do

17'.) Afary Lizzi(> ' Westporl, Alaine .

ISI) Sai'ah F. i>abson. . . iPortsniouth, X.II.

181 lAnios Cutter |(iloucester, Mass.

182 'Frederick L. "Webb. |I!ooih Pay, Alaine
18;> Alartha A. Porter . . iGloucesteV, Alass.

18 1 !Fxi)ress .. I Do Richard Alurphy.

18,1 (Jooil Templar. . . . iPortlaml, Alaine . . T. I). "Woodbury.
18(1 I'aierL'v kilouce-ter, Ala.-s. . .lames r)rown. . ..

187 Poirer'WiirKuns Do S. AV. Smith

188 John AVeslry IJockport, Alass. . . C. C. Poole

If^'J Alarv P>. Dver Welllleet, do W. O. Pur\.re . .

Glouecstei', do. . . . A. T. AVebber . . .
l>ri-tol. Alaine .... 'riio-. Alcl'^arlane.

jPobert AIcLean. .

|G. W. llilyard...
Hugh Foley . . . .

ISlephen Smilh . . .

■L F. Critchet ...

C. P.. Jewett

F. Tarhon

A. F. York

l)ani(d Greeideal".
1). Inu-er-oll

ll»(l Sanuiel K. Sawyer. .

lin Twill-ht

192 ALir^arel

Gloucester, Alass. . P. F

M

SI oo

10

k«

1.")

.i

,"i8

it

:.i

••

.'.1
.'.1

[ttnmig

10 00

4o 00
:»8 0(.)
:.i 00

.'< I 00
.")1 00

.■>2

,

.".2 00

,")(1

,, i

.111 (10

.">7

••

:>7 00

is

••

ps 110

.■.2

"

.")2 01)

,"18

kk

,".s 00

(11

«•

(11 01)

•i;;

n I

■l;i 00

.-.2 ■

.V2 00

pt

"

10 00

:>\

k*

,")j 00

11

• k

•11 00

,")H

k*

rx, 00

12

"

12 00

.'.0

''

,")() 00

Kl

>.

-1(1 00

27

>•

27 00

•18

k>

48 00

11

kk

11 00

;v.)

kk

;!'.» 00

.'i2

k>

o2 00

;.2

"

,V2 (»(»

4(1

a

Id 00

42

12 00

.■•)8

••

oS 00

12

k(

12 00

1:.

a

4."> 00

1.')

u

b") 00

.V2

(k

.V2 01)

.")()

••

:»o 00

;12

kk

r.2 00

11

k.

41 00

,")(i

kk

."■)(i 00

b")

'•

i,-» 00

:.i

"

oi 00

;.o

a

,".(( 00

K^.

a

•1(1 00

.■)i

kfe

ol 00

.1.)

(t

:>:] 00

1(1

i»

•1(1 00

',12
(U

:)2 00

(11 0()

o2

«•

52 00

■13

a

1 43 00

i

I

■ '

Total.

is.-.l

()(»

10

(10

•l'»

00

.'iH

00

i)\

00

r,[

00

r>i

00

. :y>

00

' ,-.(;

00

•I?

00

IS

(10

.".2

(10

")S

00

CI

01)

1 •*■'

00

1 ^rl

00

lit

oO

:.j

00

II

00

:,('.

00

\-i

00

.)(i

(10

n;

00

L'7

00

■IS

00

II

00

, ;;;)

00

1 •'-'

00

:)■!

00

■h;

00

lL>

00

TiS

(iO

l-i

00

i:.

00

!.".

00

.'iL*

00

.-.()

00

;;■_*

00

11

00

.m;

00

i:>

00

-M

00

,"i(i

00

ii;

00

.".1

00

."i.'.

00

■n;

00

'.'2

00

i;i

00

.")u'

00

i;;

OO

«

IX

No.

Naiiio (if Vt'sspl.

Tort.

Miwtcr.

Tons.

Hnto

IllT

Ton.

Total.

io;3

^^oIllltaill Laurel. . .

Iiristu!, Elaine ....

P.. MeFarlane ....1

50 ;

$1 00

$50 0(T

191

Daeoiah

Glouce.-ter. ^Nfass. .

lleiirv Williams. . .

:.i j

" : 51 00

i:):» iTli.imas Hunt

Do

J.inie- Toliiii . . . . ■

Gl

,4 '

Gl 00

I'.M'i (iolijcii Ivii^lc

Deer L-le. .Alaine. .

A. S\\C(l/er . . . .

41 '

11 00

11)7 :II. Atwoc.d

Wellll-. t, Mass . . .

S. I'"o-|er

(;i 1

.'

Gl 00

i:»S Ili-lilaiul L:i.<^

Dicr I>le. M;'.ine. .

• lames W. .lordaii .

50 i

" ' 50 00

I'.l!)
•_>( )( )

Oid Ciiad

l)Ooth IJay, do. . . .
IJremeii, do. . .

L. .MeClintoek....'
H. C. Harris

tS " is 00

Aniiij' Harris

52 ; •• !

52 00

L'oi S. A. Paikluiivi... .

Glouee-ter, ^lass. .

.V. Sh vere.'

■ ) I

51 00

L'0;5

Fannie \\

Do

North Haven. Me .

Mark Sweeney ...
10. Alexander

5;; " ;

47 : '' :

5;i 00

ShootiiiLC Star

17 00

204 ; James S. Aver

(llouee-ti T. Mas.s. .

Samuel Kiues ....

5G , •• 1

5G 00

205 'Lizzir WilliaiiKs

Camden, Maine. . .

F. C. Coo|ier

51 : '• 1

51 00

20(5 ,I..l. r.iin.^

(ilouee.-ter. 3Iass. .

.lohii Me!)onald. . .

53

..

53 00

207 Will. II. h'avinoiul. .

Do

II. Iliitehiiis

70 i

'• 1

70 00

20S Kit/ K. Hi-;:s . .. .

1)

Nieholas Mnrpliy. .

49 ,

*.

49 00

2011 Flora 'rciiiiilu

Do ....

John F. .Saunders..
Robert Cooper. . .

50 '

'•

50 00

210 A'la A. Five

Xorth Haven, Me..

52 '.

52 00

211 liLiia

l)iistol, ilo. .

W. II. .MePae....

49 '•

49 00

212 (it'oi'L'c F. Keen . . .

riiTiiien, do. .

.MMhn Keen

G3 : '•

G;; 00

21;; .1. 15. WoiKlhury... •

Portland, do. .

.lohn P>. Woodbury

49 j '•

49 0(»

21 1 Ciiv I'.iiiit

Do

.lohii Fi-her

53 ' '•

53 00

21.') .lolm Pew

Swan's I-laii'l, ilo. ,

F. .M. Staples ....

40 i '•

40 00

2 It; Daniel Wcli-^tcr. . . .

(lloiieiwter. Ma>s. .

(ieoru'e .SheriiKUi. .

52 i "

52 00

217 ,(;<.l(lrll IJllK"

SwanV Maud. :Me.

P.. .1. Staples

42 ' '•

42 00

21.S Flyiii,!.r Fi>li

(iloiieester, .Mass. .

.loliii F. Thom]t~on

57

fci

57 00

2111 Aiiiiie I'lcciiiaii . . . .

P.oolh Ba\, i\Io.. . .

.AI. K<id

(;5

<;5 00

220 .Jainis <;. Tan-

(.jlouee-ler. Mass. .

U. .1. Peeves

70

70 00

'^■'1 Li/z'ie F. Cluiatc

Do

.1. W. Collins. . ..

71
GI

71 00

222 'a. INI. Na^li

P.ootli P.;iv. :\Ie.. . .

C. C. Thomp.son . .

" ' Gl OO

22;; Mai'v F. Kieli

Proviiieeiown.aMa.-.-

F. W. Colib

(;8

GS 00

221
22,".

Look ( )ut

Portland, Me

(!louee>ter, ]Ma<^. .

^Milton Lihbey . , .
Paul Hill/

4S
59

IS (10

Hal lie S. Clark.. .

59 00

22() Kiiiir Fisher

Soullqiort. Me ....

J. P. Hod-don....

4G

4G OO

227 ;(.^»iieeu nf the Fleet.

Do

M. T. Picwer

59

-

59 00

228 'Airarala

Cioueester, .Mass . .

.Samuel T. Kowe. .

45

45 00

221)
230

Willie (i

Soiilh|iort, 3Ie

^Ve^t|lol•t, Me.. . .

S. L. Hodplou . . .
n. F. .lewett

49
54

19 00

Je'imii! AriiHtronu; . .

51 00

231 Leonard Melvenzie.

[(Jluueostur, Mass. .

Samuel iMerehant..

55

55 00

232 !A. C. Woodbury . . .

Do

(ico. AV. Whelan. .

(;2

(;2 00

2;53.Kiiij:leader

Provineetown, do. .

.Io>epli Pinekney.

k;

k; 00

234 l]{. F. Hieh

Do

.lohn P.. P.angs . . .
,1. ];iatehror(l

59
35

59 00

23.) Charles IMlarrett. .

'dlouecster. do. .

35 00

23() Sniiiiiel Wonsoii . . . .

Gloueester, ^lass , .

.Io~e[ih 31. Poarsc .

45

" ; 45 00

237 Colonel Ellsworth . .

! Do

( leorp' Pol'iiison. .

g;5

J

(;;> 00

2.3s William liali>on

Do

.John S. Jamiesoii. .
Daniel I)ou'_das. . .

4G
71

'.

IG (M)

230 Julia Parsons

Do

71 00

240 lAIonte/unia

Heverlev. Ma-s. . .

Daniel W. Lowe. .

54

51 00

241 :IIi-hlaiid(.>mTU . .

;W(tolwi(li, ]M;iiiie. .

(1. P. Dnntoii

48

48 00

242 Colorado

X;iouee.-ter. ]\Iass. .

Will. J. Po'i^ers . . .

53

53 00

243 Fred Uiinkir

Ciijtiiie, Miihie. . . .

Jorieph Duiilttir . . .

Gl

Gl 00

X

No.

Xamo of Vessel,

I'ort.

Blaster.

214
245

24G
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
25G
257
258
259
2G0

J. H. Nicker.-on . . .
John Qiiincy Adam
Delia Miiria. . .
Live Yankee. .
Laura Sayward
Georg(! S. Low.
General Scott .
Lida and Lizzie

Camilla

Sojjln'onia

Henry Ellsworlh

Mas:?ena

Marshal Ney . .
Sarah E. Snow.
H. C. Tar.-^ons .
C. C. rettinj;ill
William J. Dale

Gloucester, Mai

Do...

Do...

Do...

Do . . ,

Do...
Provincetown, Mar^-^

Portland. JMc

I'rovincetown, Mass
Gloucester, Mass .

D<j '

Do I

Provincelown, jMas?
Gloucester, IMuss. . !

Do

Do

Do

J. n. Nickerson

Thomas Watson
William Lear}'.
Peter Thompson
S. II. Williams

Z.Tarr

S. N. Iluf^hes. ,
Jolm Frcllick. .
John I J. Cooper
William Fanton
Peter Deli'. . . .
Georjre 11. Davi
E. W. Lomhard

W. Osier

Patrick I'oak. .
Uohert Allen. .
David A. O.-ier

Tons.

Rate

..I,"''"
Jon.

oG

50

4G

4G

58

52

55

47

44

52

5."

51

3!

4.^

4:

1(

55

53

51

39

48 :

42 !

4G !

ei 00

((

((

a
a

(.

it.

ii
il

a

Total.

85 G

50
4G
4(5
58
52
55
47
44

51

39
48
42
4G
55

13432

Total amount collected to date : 'riiiricen t]iou?and. four hundred and thirty-two dollars

VINCENT J. WALLACE,

Collector.

Custom Office, Port INluliinive. K S..|
lOlh Oct., 1807. ^ )

V

ito

Total.

jn.

00

$dO

oO

4()

40

58

52

55

47

44

52

5:}

51

30

48

42

4(;

55

i;j4a2

vo dollars.

\CE,

Collector.

I

OS

<V5

OS

<2>

at

OS

'fe

e
s
o

S

<

a
Is
O

'A

C5

o

o

00

XI

o
o

o o o
o o o

o
o

=y>

1-1 o

1--^

'."5

X

Ci —1

l^

ri

o

c

o

'A

o
O

5

O

e «

ft

Si Ph

o

= ^ rt

K W

i/2

i.-s

o

o

;S H

t^ --j; ~ 'O

1,-5 r-i

(M

CTl

1^
o

^

5

I— t

a

►.

3

va

'J

3

■-«

1-5

•-I'

<M 6

O 22

='B

T-i

<N

cv

■■S'

o

^;5

OO

^

li

li

XU

Stata,cnt of Fislnng Licenses issued to United States Vessels at Fort Rood

durmg the year 1807.

Name of Vo.-si'l.

Uwiicrs.

I'ort.

Gloucester, Mass .

Fraiiklyn Snow ' Joseph Smith ,.

^'■"^ '"^''"' i Miehael Daniel . . . ' IJooth Bav

J. G. Craig ! J. G. Craig

Flying Cloud William (Jamn.on .

Tons.

Uatc por

Ton.

Total.

c;<; jSi.oo 6GG 00

Portland

Gloucester, Mass.

■10

77
o!)

212

40 00
77 00
;j9 00

1242 00

Tort Hood, October 2, 1 8 07.

i;i)WJ). I). TREMAIN, Issuer.

The officers authorised to issue Licenses at the Torts of Ynrmouth and North
Sydney report that they have issued no Licenses in 1.C7. No reports have been
received from the officers at Pictou and Plaister Cove.

T. F. KNIGHT.

Halifax, 5th November, lbG7.

T

Port Hood

■

fc por
'oil.

Total.

.00

6CG 00

. . . .

40 00

. . . .

77 00

59 00

242 00

N, Issuer.

and Nortii
have boon

NlUIIT.

I

REPORT.

To the Hon. Peter liliTCiiELL,

Minister of Marine, and Fisheries

Of the Zfominion of Canada.

Sm, — In undertaking to report to you upon tlic Fisheries of Nova Scotia,
it must bo evident that little more is rc(iuired from me, than to go over the
ground taken uj) by my two pamphlets on tliis subject, so recently published,
entitled "• The Shore and Deep Sea Fislicries," and " The River Fisheries,"
both of which contain the most recent information. Those pamphlets are full
of detail, and comprehensive in the topics they embrace. I shall now endeavor
to present, in a narrower compass, the main facts which those pamphlets
contain, giving most prominence to those points, the discussion of Avhich may
further the work of legislation for the Fisheries, to which you purpose to
invite the attention of Parliament.

The Fisheries of Xova Scotia are of immense moment to this section of the
Dominion. Being a peninsula, it lies open to the ocean nearly throughout its
whole coast ; and it is in immediate proximity to the richest fishing grounds
of Xortli America. Its rivers are numerous ; most of tb.em of considerable
size ; and are admirably adapted to be the home of the salmon and other fish
which frequent the northern rivers of this continent.

The Legislature of Nova Scotia has at different times instituted inquiry into
the condition of its Sea Fisheries. In the Journal of 1887 (Appendix No. 75)
will be found an able report of a conuuittee appointed to consider tlic con-
dition and prospects of the fisheries, founded on interrogatories submitted to
the most intelligent commercial men engaged in tlie fisheries throughout the
Province ; and in subsequent Journals of almost every year, down to 1854.
the subject of the flslieries lias a prominent place in the form of Ilei)ortsi f
Committees, or correspondence with the Uritish Government, or Reports
of the commanders of cruisers employed in the protection of the fislicries.
Since 1854, in which year was concluded tlic Reciprocity Treaty with the
United States, the subject of the fislicries has occupied but little scrutiny from
either tlie Legislature or the community generally. Tiie improved markets
which the treaty created for our export of fish to the L^nited States, rendered
them in the whole prosperous ; and if defects existed in the preparation of
fish for export, they were not perceived, or if perceived were not considered of
any great importance. Since the repeal of the treaty, we have suffered great
disadvantage in the United States markets, owing to the return to a scale of
high duties ; but in whatever degree this reverse may have been disastrous to
individuals engaged in particular fisheries, the total exports are but little
afifected by it.

The River Fisheries have also enjoyed a share of the notice ofthe Legis-
lature. So rapid was the decline of the river fisheries of Nova Scotia
that the Legislature passed an act in the session of 1853 to arrest their
destruction by stringent laws. This act contained more rigorous penalties;

WlUHatt.

2

cstablislicd the system of close time ; and included the appointment of War-
dens in every County to see that the provisions of this act were carried out ; to
appoint deputies, and to institute a general oversight of the fisheries. Such a
deplorable condition of the valuable rivers of Nova Scotia which had a few
years before teemed with the choicest fish, does the documents furnished to
the Government in this year reveal, that no language can ade(|uately describe
it. The examination of every important river and stream in tlie Province by
the wardens and their deputies, and the enforcement of the law, even partially,
could not fail to initiate a new era in the history of our river fisheries. A
gentleman whose name has long been associated with otir Inland Fisheries,
was at this time appointed Supervisor for the County of Halifax. His sugges-
tions to the Government were considered to be of great practical importance,
and he was subsequently employed in several visits of inspection of the river
fisheries throughout different sections of the Province. We owe to the enthu-
sia'^tic lal)or, in no small degree, of Captain William Chearnley that our valu-
able river fishes have not ere this been utterly exterminated. Tiic committeo
of the Legislature to whom were referred the reports of the Fishery Wardens,
rej)ort to the house in the following year : " We are inclined to believe that
this subject has hitherto occupied too small a share of public attention ; that
its importance has been undervalued, and that the policy of the Legislature in
the laws it has passed on the subject, has been little understood or appreciated."
This committee manifested so deep an interest in the subject before them, that
they gathei'cd from authentic sources much valuable information concerning the
habits of the salmon and the manner of artificial propagation, and the answers
to questions submitted to experienced persons, all of >vhich was embodied in a
pamj»hlet and published by the Government. The solicitude which the Legis-
lature had evinced during three successive years, seems now to have abated,
since in the short space of two years the whole legislation respecting these (isiicries
and their supervision, seems to have been refcrrtd to the County Sessions.
The Sea Fisheries rank first in importance ; and to these 1 will address my-
self first in order.

L SHORE AND DEEP SEA FISHERIES.

Nova Scotia ranks first among the Provinces of the Dominion in her Sea
Fisheries. While New Brunswick exports in jiroducts of the sea to the
amount of over 8300,000, and Canada to the amount of ii^600,000, Nova Scotia
has exported everv year, with little variation, for the last twelve years, to tho
amount of ^S^OOO^OOO.

These Fisheries arc prosecuted along the coast-line of Nova Scotia, on the
nearest banks, and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. Along the coast-line of
Nova Scotia, from St. Mary's Bay to the Bay of Fundy, eastward to Cape
Canseau, and for a considerable distance along the Cajie Breton coast, there is
a bank or ledge, frr^n five fathoms, or less, to fifty fathoms soundings, and
which extends into the ocean at a distance varying from five miles to twenty
miles, or more. This ledge is the feeding-ground of the cod ; and the herring
and mackerel herd in its waters. This bed or i)lateau, in its length and
breadth, embraces within its limits our valuable shore fishery. Besides this
fishing ground, there are the numerous fishing banks which exist further out
into the ocean, the size and form of each being distinguished by the marked
diflerence in the soundings from those of tho surrounding water. The

3

of War-

l out ; to
Such a
d a few
lislicd to
duscrlbo
)vinco by
partially,
irios. A
c^islierios,
s sugges-
I)ortaucc,
the river
le cnthu-
3ur valu-
^mmittco
^Vardcus,
icvo that
on ; that
lature in
cciatcd."
icm, that
riling the
answers
[:licd in a
le Legis-
abated,
fisheries
Sessions,
ress my-

icr Sea

to the

a Scotia

i, to the

on the

t-line of

.0 Cape

there is

gs, and

twenty

lerring

th and

Ics this

er out

narked

The

«:oundings vary ; in some banks from five fathoms to sixty fathoms, in others
from twenty to fifty, and in others from forty to sixty. The most westward ly
bank to which our fishermen repair is St. George's IJank. This bank lies
aliout eighty miles southwest of Cape Sable, and being of largo extent, is a
favorite resort of the fishermen from the United States. Next we have
Lallave Bank, situated about sixty miles from the harbour of Shelburiie, which
is some sixty miles in length. There is a smaller bank, called Roseway
J>ank, aliout midway lietwceu LalJave Ijnnk and the shore. Sable Island
Bunk extends south and west from Sable Island, extending westward nearly
one hundred miles. Sambro Bank, about fifty miles from Sambro Light-
liDUse, is a small bank of only ten miles long; it is constantly resorted to by
fishermen from Samliro and its vicinity. Next we have Canseau Bank, thirty
miles in length, situate about twenty miles from Cape Canso. The last of
these treasuries of the deep that deserve notice is the Bank Quereau, seventy
miles south-east of Caj)e Canso, the north-east point of which approaches nigh
to i^ank St. Pierre. This fertile bank is one hundred and forty m'.les long,
and its widest part is one hundred and ten miles. Its northern extremity is
called Mizen Bank.

Our " Bankers " range from thirty to one hundred tons, and average eight
iiuni each. They go to sea from l.st A[)ril to 1st May, and continue cod-
fishing on the various banks until about the 10th June. These "Bankers'*
f^onietimes take halibut in large quantities, mostly on Sable Island Bank and
Lallave Bank; but these fish are decreasing in numbers. In June or July
they proceed to the coast of Cai)e Breton, and thence to Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The cod they take on the banks are fine, thick, well-fed fish, but being cured
in bulk are inferior to the carefully-cured fish which are taken near the
shore, and dried on flakes soon after they are caught. Three hundred to
four hundred pounds offish is considered a good day's Avork for one man.

The shore or boat-fishery is carried on to a greater or less extent along our
whole coast. The herring and ihe mackerel, in large numbers, frequent the
whole Atlantic coast ; and the salmon are intercepted by nets in the bays, and
near the i'^lands and points of lands, while returning to the rivers. For the
cod and haddock fishery, whale-Iioats, manned by two to four men, and sail-
boats, undecked, are used ; fishermen commence about the 20th May, and fish
within five to fifteen miles of the land. Prosecuted within their proper
seasons, the cod, herring, mackerel, and salmon fisheries constitute a most
valuable portion of our Provincial industry. Our fishei'men are an athletic,
hardy, and industrious class of our population ; they respect the laws, and aro
patient under the vicissitudes of their liazardous and precarious calling.

Besides the shore and bank fisheries, so profitably prosecuted by the fisher-
men of Nova Scotia, which have been described in the foregoing pages, there
has ever been a much larger field of enterprise open to them, in common with
the whole people of the British Provinces. Nova Scotian fishermen every year
visit, in their vessels, the coast of Newfoundland, the Labrador, and all tho
important places in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. They have carried their enter-
prize within the boundaries of Canada, periodically frequenting the Bay of Cha-
leur, and the coast of Gasp<j, and have revealed to tho Canadian people
how valuable a source of wealth they possess at their doors. Pierre Fortin,
Esq., who for many years has been employed by the Canadian Government as
Magistrate commanding the Expedition for the Protection of the Fisheries in
the Gulf of St. Lawrence, frequently, in his " Reports," eulogises the enterprise
of the fishermen of Nova Scotia on the coast of Gaspd, and generally in the

Gulf of Saint Lawrence. " Every year," lie writes, " the coasts of Canada arc
visited by from 250 to 350 fishing schooners from Nova Scotia, and by from 200
to 300 (isliing schooners from the United States, from the spring to the
autumn, in well equipped vessels, busily employed taking our Uncst lish ; and
we find them afterwards, with tliosc very fish, competing with us in foreign
markets, and almost always successfully."

Although, in treating of the sea-fisheries, the Bay of Fundy presents less in-
terest to us than cither the Atlantic coast or the Gulf of Saint Lawrence,
neither the cod or the herring being found in very great abundance at the Bay,
and the mackerel, except at the entrance of the Bay, almost unknown, its
fisheries in the aggregate engage a large proportion of the industry of tlie in-
habitants residing near the sliores,

Oir Apple River some good cod are caiight in seines, and herrings, very fine
and fat, are taken in July witli a mesh of 2.V inches ; lialibut, of exceedingly
large size, are taken not far from the Light-liouse, during the summer. At tlio
large rocks, called the Sisters, about three miles below Apple River, there is
very good fishing for cod during tlio summer. From the Sisters to Cape
Cliignecto tliere is not mucli fisliing, tlie coast being lofty, without shelter, and
greatly exposed to southerly or westerly gales. Between Isle Haut and Cape
Chignecto tliere is a bank extending almost entirely across that channel, upon
which there is good fisliing the greater part of every summer, and likewise
along the north siiore of the Basin of Minas.

On the south shore of the Bay, extending from Black Rock to Brier Island,
there are three fishing banks or ledges, lying parallel to the shore, outside each
other ; their respective distances from the coast have acquired for them the
designations of the three mile ledge, the Civo mile ledge, and the nine mile
ledge. On these ledges there are 00 fathoms of water, but on the crown of
each ledge 30 fathoms only. The 3 mile ledge and the 5 mile ledge extend
quite down to Brier Island ; but the 9 mile ledge can only be traced down the
Bay, about 14 miles below Digby Gut, abreast of Trout Cove, where it ends in
deep water. Below Digby Gut, the 3 mile ledge and 5 mile ledge are com-
posed of hard gravel and red clay ; above the Gut, the 3 mile ledge has a
rough, rocky bottom, on which anchors are frequently lost. J^ach of these
ledges is about a mile in width, the outer one something more ; between them
the bottom is soft mud.

In April, the small rock cod strike in on the soutli shore, which they follow
up to Cape Split, whence they cross to the New Brunswick side of the Bay.
This is the opinion of the American fishermen, who follow them at that season,
fishing close in shore ; and with them they take many halil.uit of large size.
On 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, will make a quintal. Pollock
strike in generally during July ; but the past season they made their appear-
ance in May ; the fishing for them usually lasts until the end of September —
their average size is 40 to the quintal.

On the ledges, line fishing on the bottom can only be followed on the
"slacks" of the tide; during the run of the tide, the fishermen employ them-
selves la taking pollock by trailing near the surface. Large hake are often
taken on the ledges, with the cod ; thirty of them will make a quintal. It is
supposed that these hake feed upon the soft bottom between the ledges, it
being such as hake arc usually found upon, and that they venture occasioually
upon the ledges, or are in the act of crossing them when taken.

m

1(1

anada arc
y IVoni 200
n<^ to the

lish ; and
ill Ibreigu

its less in-
Lawrence,
t the Uay,
niown, its
of the in-

, very fine
ccedingly
. At the
', there is

to Cape
cltcr, and
iiid Cape
iiel, upon

likewise

?r Island,
side eaeli
them the
line mile
crown of
e extend
down the
t ends in
are com-
IG has a
of these
een them

ey follow
the Bay.
t season,
rge size,
ontinues
lid July,
Pollock
• ai>pear-
niber —

on the
>y them-
re often
i. It is
jdges, it
rsionally

I

In the Annapolis Basin, long celebrated for its fisheries, cod, pollock, hake
haddock, and halibut are taken, nearly all the year round ; and here also aro
caught those delicious small herrings, which, when smoked, are known every-
where as " Digl)y Chickens." Mackerel frorpiently enter during the season,
and are caught in the horring-weirs. Lobsters are found in various parts of
the Basin ; clams on the flats ; and on Bear Island Bar there are extensive beds
of large scallops. Shrim])s abound in the Gut. Porpoises, while chasing the
small herrings, aro often shot by the Indians. The principal fishery, however,
is that for the small herrings, to be cured by smoking", which are taken
altogctlier in brush-weirs, not exceeding 8 feet in height ; these are renewed
every season, the ice usually carrying away the greater portion of tiiem at the
close of the winter. The small iierrings enter the Basin at the last of May, but
the great bodies offish come in June and July ; after passing througli the Gut,
they follow up the (xranvillc shore to the Potter Settlement, near Annapolis,
and thence strike over south-westerly, to tlie Clements side, directly across a
large bar, or middle ground. The first herrings of the season arc of all sizes,
from four inches in length up to the largest ; in June and July the schules are
of more uniform size. It is supposed that about one-half of all the fish caught
in the weirs are entirely lost ; almost all the weirs are dry at low water ; and
sometimes oOO or 400 barrels of small herrings, taken during a single tide,
were formerly left in the weir to spoil. But I have been informed by a gentle-
man residing in the locality, that at Digby, since two years jjast, the refuse
iierring have been turned to good account by the process of grinding into a
mass, and an oil being extracted from it, which realizes al)out 4s. -per gallon.

There is also a large lisbing pf)puliitiou in the Hricr Island fishing district,
whicli includes Long Island and {)iirt of the adjacent shore.

These fisheries employ at the lowest estimate, one-fifth of the adult male
industrial population of Nova Scotia, estimating their importance l)y the pro-
portion of the ])opulation engaged therein, and by the aggregate value of their
return for labor. The fisheries are second only to agriculture.

The Cod Fishery.

The cod-fishery is entitled to the first consideration ; as it amounts in money
value to considerably more than one-half of our lisberv products.

The shore cod-fishery throughout the whole coast of Nova Scotia and Cape
Breton, is carried on in boats, principally whale-boats, from 15 to 20 feet keel,
furnished with sails, and containing from 4 to 10 or 12 men each. Tl.e fish
aro taken with heiiipoii lines of from lo to 18 thread, and averaging 30 fathoms
in length. For haddock small blue cotton lines arc often \ised, of 10 fathoms
in length, called " float lines." Trailing is seldom adopted, and is employed
chiefiy in the capture of pollock. The season most f^ivorablo for cod-fishing is
said to be during the months of June. July, and August, but it varies in
ditferent localities. The cod generally follows the course of the herring and
mackoicl.

The deep-sea fishery for cod employs a class of snug, good sailing vessels, of
about GO to 80 tons. "Bultow lines " or ''set lines," aro coming gradually
into use without regard to the injury which they are said to infiict upon the
propagation of tliis valuable class of fishes. Vessels employed in tlie cod-
fishery are manned by from ten to thirty fishermen, according to their tonnage ;
they arc anchored by hemp or manilla cables in from fifteen to fifty fathoms.
Bait is obtained by spreading nets in the sea at a distance from the vessel, and

G

I

the fisliing is llion bcp:iin with liook and line, and carried on by nij^ht as well as
by day, hi spite of wind and f«torni, until the hold of the vessel is fdled with
fish, all split and salted. On the return of the vessel to the port the cod is
landed, the process of curing completed, and they are then ready for exporta-
tion.

In the Labrador fishery seines arc frc(]ueiitly used in taking cod. In many
places the cod approaches so near the coast that at times Ihnn 4000 to oOOO
may 1)0 taken at a single haul of the seine ; but the hook and line is the im-
plement most used by IJritish fishermen in all the fisheries.

The cod fishery in the Gulf commences from the 1st to the lOth June, and
continues until the end of November. i

The Nova Scotian fishermen, who j)iirsuc the (iulf fishery, arc generally those
who fre(iuent the l)anks in the Atlantic, designated " bankers ; " who follow the
cod to their various haunts in the Gulf of Ht. Lawrence.

The cod fishery along tlie coast of the river and Gulf of 8t. Lawrence. Mr.
Fortin remarks, is carried on chiclly l>y fishermen from Nova Scotia and the
United States. The number of Nova Hcotian vessels engaged in the Gulf fishery
in the most promising seasons, are perhaps, three hundred ; about a third of
the number of the American vessels.

The principal localities for cod fishing within the Gulf arc the north shore of
Prince Edward Islanu, the coast of Guspo and IJay Chaleur, the Magdalen
Islands, the eastern end of the Island of Anticosti, and along the north shore of
the Gulf.

The Mackerel Fisiieuy.

The mackerel fishery has long been an important fishery in Nova Scotia.
The mack,erel abounds througliout the whole Allantie coast ; and on the south
and west coast of Cape Breton. Tiie export of this valuable fish alone amounted
in 1865 to $1,000,000.

In the bays and barbers of Nova Scotia, the mackerel is taken with nets and
seines. The nets used are from 3 inches to 3^ inches mesh ; and the seine is
of sufiicient size to enclose 800 barrels. The "• drift-net " is sometimes used ;
but this mode of fishing for mackerel, which is generally practised on the coast
of England, with great success, is not understood on the coast of Nova Scotia. i
For net fishing, strong breezes from any quarter, with the exception of heavy |
oft-shore winds, are favorable. Off-shore winds cause a ground swell, which i

causes the fish to strike olf into deep water, and likewise jtrevents the fishermen m
from tending the boats. Seining requires line moderate weather, as the fish ;

arc then more sluggish in their motions, and in general concentrate in larger
and more compact bodies.

In some places in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, on the shores bordering on
the Gulf, mackerel arc taken with nets and seines ; but the principal mackerel
fishing in the Gulf is with the hook and line. This mode of fishing, which has
long been practised by the American mackerel schooners, and is now adopted
by hundreds of Nova Scotian vessels, not many years since was entirely un-
known to Nova Scotian fishermen.

The Nova-Scotian fishermen prosecute the mackerel fishery in the Gulf with
little less enterprise tban their American rivals, and of late years their vessels
have been so improved in fleetness and symmetry, as to bear .just comparison
with the American mackerel schooners, which were long reputed to be the finest
vessels and best sailers of their class in the world. These schooners arc gene-
rally of from 60 to 100 tons burthen. They have little depth of hold, great
breadth of beam, rake very much fore and aft, and carry large cotton sails,

whl

rook

't as well as
HI led with
t tlio cod is
Cor exporta-

I'l many
>00 to nOOO
is tlio im-

Jnnc, and

'•■ally those
ibilow the

I'cnco. Jfr.
a and the
ulf lishciy
a tiiiid of

h shore of
^lagdalen
1» sliore of

►'a Scotia,
the south
imounted

nets and
e seine is
ics used ;
the coast
a .Scotia,
of liciuy
II, which
^hennen
tlio iish
II larger

I'ing on
lackerel
lich has
adopted
•eJy un-

ilfwith

vessels

^arison

3 finest

) gene-
great
sails,

which cnahlcs them to sail fast, even with a light breeze. Their decks arc
roomy, and on them the whole work of salting, l)arrolling, «tc., is carried on.

The IIeiiring Fisiikuy.

The Herring fishery, if jiropor care were ohsorvcd in the curing, might
become an increasing ux|)ort, and perhaps as valual>le as the Mackerel fisiiery.
The export of herring does not however excceed )?oOO,000, over an average of
years.

As early as ^larch, herring are taken in nets on our coast, l»ut tlie fish arc
so straggling, and the seas so boisterous, tliat except for hait, fishi'ig does not
commence until May. In this month a run of large fat herring are taken in
nets upon tlie I^anks. A net oO fathoms h)ng and 8 de(!p is passed from tho
stern of a boat at anchor. The free end drifts with the tide, held to the surface
by cork floats ; sometimes the tides cai-ry the net down lo fathoms in a slanting
direction, thus drifting from night to morning. The net is overhauled, and
from 20 to 100 dozen is the ordinary catch. The boats are stout, weatberly
keel boats, with a half deck, from ') to 1 ") tons, carrying a jib, fore and main-
sail ; and usually called second class fishermen, when entered at a regatta.

The " in shore run,'' a fish of smaller size, are taken in nets set to a buoy,
instead of a boat, the free end drifting to the tide. These nets are often
moored from one buoy to another, to preserve a permanent position across a
creek or small bay. In these various ways herring are taken by the shore
population of the whole Atlantic and Gulf coast of Nova Scotia, from the Uay
of Fundy to Cumberland.

The immense tides of tlie Bay of Fundy, leaving long flats and sand-bars at
low tide, and the steej) trap formation of its southern coast line, have singularly
altered the character of the fishing. Here the drift-net fishing obtains, — boats
and nets drifting for miles upon the flow and returning u|)Ou the ebl), the nets
twisted and coiled into a})i)arently impossible masses. The shores of the traj)
formation being flat tables of traj), reaciiing plane after plane into the sea, with
no crevice to hold a stake or anchor a buoy, the fishermen procure stout spruce
fir trees, and lojipiiig oiT the branches, leave the long lateral roots attached to
them. These they place u]»riglit in rows iipon the bare rock, and pile heavy
stones \\])on the roots as ballast, stretching tlieir nets l)etween them. Entirely
submerged at flood, at ebb they are left high and dry, and often loaded down
with fish caught by the gills in the meshes of the net. Tiiese nets arc usually
set for a large, lean, spring herring, running for the flats in early sj)ring to
spawn. This method of fishing ()l)tains throughout the whole trap district of
the Province l)or(]ering upon the V>\\y of Fundy.

Around the xViinajiolis and Minas liasins, and on the Cumberland shore, smooth
seas, sandy bars, and mud flats dry at ebl), replace trap-dyke, and boisterous
waves. Uere, flats and punts take the place of keel boats and whalers ; and
the brush-weir takes the place of the stake-net. In these weirs herrings are
taken in large quantities ; and in the Annapolis Basin the Digby or smoked
herring, known so well in all markets, is captured in these weirs.

At the Magdalen Islands, and in the Bay of Chaleur, as well as along a por-
tion of the coast of Gaspd (to which place our fishermen resort), immense
numbers of herring are taken in the Spring. Large seines are used by our
fishermen in the Gulf; and they often take at a single haul of the seine herring
enough to fill from 500 to 2000 or even oOOO barrels.

The Labrador herring is almost always taken with the seine. The herring
taken on the southern coast of Newfoundland aro spring herring, and, being

! I

8

cauj,'lit out of season, nro inferior in quality ; and tlioy arc cured without nuich
caro, which renders tliem commercially of little value.

The Salmon Lisiieuy,

The Salmon Fishery niipht l»e more appropriately classed amoiif^ the llivcr
Fisheries ; hut there are various huys, l)ciiehes, islands, and j)oints of land,
where salmon are intercepted l>y nets, while seeking the river in which ihey
were spawned, whither they will always return. The net used is o!" hempen
twine, and of a mesh from five to six incli(!s. The usual season for taking
salmon is from April to .Inly or Au<,nist. The principal portion of salmon ex
portetl as " pickled salmon " is caujiht on the coast of Newfinmdland and
Labrador. .Salmon for exi)ortation arc cither pickled in l)arrels, dried and
smoked, or preserved in tins. The latter is Ijccoming' an important trade.

Shell Fisn.

The only trade in shell fish of any importance in Nova Scotia is the loI)stcr
trade. They are preserved in tins or cans, and within a few years the (juantity
thus j)rej)ared has grown to considerable dimensions. A llourisiiinu' estal)lish-
ment in Samhro cui-es jicr annum on an averaiic 140,()00 cans: and as many
as 70,0UO were shijipcd to Eniiland I)y anoiher establishment at I'ort Mouton in
18(i4. The shell lish exported in l8(J4-tJ") amounted to <r'.jl,.S72, four-lit'ths of
which was exported to Great Hrilain. In iSdi) the exjMjrt materially decreased.

Lobsters are taken in Nova ."^eotia, ^(Miorally by means of a net stretched on
a hoop, in tlie centre of wliieli the bait is placed. This net is a'taclied to a line
which is pulled uj) when the fish have attacked the bait. Our fisherman will
often Juive twenty or more of these nets attached to a cable suspended at the
surface.

Tliere is a machine also used in Nova Scotia, constructed on a similar prin-
ciple to the lobster-pot. It is a caue made with lathes with an entrance at each
end ; it is called a loi)ster trap. It is not much used, being considered an ex-
pensive appliance.

Fish Oil.

Tlie fish oil exported in the year iSiU-i!') amounted to ^194,o0."). Of this
amount, tlio proportion of 8108, S(i2 was expoi-ted to the United States. Li
18GG, the export of this product suflered a marked deci'casc.

I

GENERAL REMARKS.

It is a dinicult task to obtain full and accurate information concerning the
Fisheries of Nova Scotia, where no Government Department in the interest of
the fisheries exists ; and where there is no public olTieer to colleet the necessary
data on which to build a reliable Rejtort. For the nuniber of the ])opulation
engaged in the fisheries, the numb(n- of vessels and boats employed, and the
implements used, recourse is had to the Census Returns of 1801, for which
data see Ajtpendix No. 1. On my conceiving the ])ur]»ose to write upon the
fisheries of Nova Scotia, the ex-Provincial Secretary, Hon. Charles Tupper,
to supply iu some measure the want that was experienced, caused official

9

Ivitlioutmuch

[IK tlio Uivcr

'"•^ of land,

wliich ihcy

h "I" lusmpen
} for taking-
r salmon ex
liHlhuid and
J' dried and
I trade.

' Oio IoI)stcr
'« (juantity
i,ii' ostaljlish-
id as many
' Monlon in
"ir-fil'ilis of
decreased,
tretelicd on
ed to a lino
lennan wiJI
ided at Ihu

inilar jn-in-
"-'0 at eacJi
'I'ed an ex-

. Of this
utes. la

"ing the
itorest of
lecossary
filiation
and the
'!• M'hich
ipoii the
Tapper,
official

I

I

circulars to l>c sent fortliwith to the Collectors of Customs throughout the pro-
vince, containin}? numerous questions rehitin.i^ to each description of fishery.
The (acts contained in these circulars sum^ested much that is contained in the
foll'Avinj; observations and liints. The want of governmental supervision of our
valnahle fisheries will not, I am lonvinoed, he nuich longer fell under your
management. And if your cheiish(>d desire to hestow l)ounlies upon the fisher-
men of the Dominion may meet with the approltation of Parliament, if dis-
triltuted to the proper r(!cij)lonts, an universal impulse will be given to tlio
prosecution of tliis important industry.

], Thf tdlduij fiah out of Ki-axon atnl otJnr injiirioKi* pmcticea. — The answers
to this (jtiery would imply that the li-lKM-ineii liiiow no distinction i)etween one
period of the year and another for the taliing of fi>h. They talce them when-
ever they (!an ohtain them, at the spawniim' season as at any other time. These
(jueries .are specially ajiplicahle to the hei-riiig lishery. Since iMtId, a restric-
tion called close-time has heoii I'dopted on the west coast of Scotland, which
makes it illegal to catch herring he*\veen the 1st of January and Illst of May.
Such restriciion, however, does not jxist on the east coast, where the fishery is
umh'r the protection of a ficnerni.ient Hoard. It would he a dituWltiil ex{)C-
dient to restrict the time for herring fishing in Nova Scotia, while so largo a
nuiiilier are dependant upon the fisheries for subsistence, to whom a restriction
of any sort would bi; a calamity.

All injurious practice exists in the capture of I)igl)y herring by means of
weirs. A corresj)ondent writes, that at Digby Hasin, •' he has known parlies to
takt' out of their weirs eccvi/ j/tdr more small lierriiig<for HKinnrr than would
load several V(>ssels." " No wonder," he adds, '• that they com{)laiii of the lish
falli;i!_f oi'f" The prai.'ticc is irreatly to be deplorcMl.

riid(;r this head 1 may refer to the methoil of fishing called " bullow"
(isbiiig, which has many enemies in Nova Seoiia an<l in the other colonies.
Fir.'-t, J may stale that the opinions of our own fishermen, as ascin'tained I'roni
the "' Ol'ficial Circulars," is almost universally adverse. It is allirmed, lliat by
its use tlie large spawn lish which swim near the l)ottoiu iuv, taken, which

him

H'opaii'ation ; and that it interferes with the hand-line fishing.

ill lN.")'.» the inhal)itants of U'estport and Long Island, in the County of
Digby, petitioned the Legislature to interfere to prohil)it set-line or trawl
fishiiiti'. Tiie Fisheries Committee recoiniuended that the Government refer
the niailer to t!ie two Comniissioneis of the respective nations oi'tJreal I'ritaiii
and the riiiled Slates. Th(^ Fisheries Committee in 1<SG2, in their Report,
(Journal 1^02, Ai)j)eiidix 50,) refer to the trawl (?) or set-line fishing, regret-
ting tiiat remonstrances through CJreat Britain to the French Covernnieiit were
unavailiiig, and recommended tiia.i representations be made to the United Slates
as soon as peace was restored to the naiion, that this mode of lisiiing demanded
their co-operation to abolish it.

Jn .ranuary, 18»j2, ^Ir. Shea called the attention of the House of Assembly
of Newfoundland to this subjiict, referring to a Bill reported to the United
Stales Senate authorizing the President to meet such Commissioners as (ireat
Britain and F" ranee may api)oint, to form a joint commission to frauiC measures
to protect the fisheries on the coast of Newroundland and North America
against deterioration and destruction by means of set-lines on the s])awu Ijanks,
and otlier destructive practices, ilr. Shea attriliuted the falling off in the New-
foundland fisheries during three or four years past to the system adoi)l(.'d by the
French fishermen, of using " bultows " on the banks. Notwithstanding the
renionsiranccs of individuals and committees, this system has grown into such
general use by British fishermen, that any legislative interference would be

me^

10

li

found unavailing. It may be added, that there is a difference of opinion
rcf^arding " bultow " fishing. Mr. Jolin Iloniday, who is largely engaged in
salmon and cod fishing in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in reply to a question from
the committee of the working of the Fishery Act of Canada, stated tliat he saw
no objection to the use of the bultow. And J. M. Lemoine, Esq., of Quebec,
thought it advisable for the Legislature to encourage "bultow" fishing at
Gaspd, as a far more productive system than the ordinary mode of line fisliing.
Mr. Pcrlcy also recommended its adoption by the fishermen of New I>runs-
wick, and adduced evidence to prove that it is the best mode of lislung over
introduced, as being less expensive in the outfit and keeping boats in repair.
A correspondent remarks on this head : " People should bo encouraged to
catch fish in any Avay they please, so as they catch them and cure them icell.''^

2. The throwincj over offal at the fishing grounds. — In boat fishing the fish
offal is brought on shore. Where it cannot bo brought on shore, the general
opinion of our fishermen is that the practice is destructive to the fishery. It
is the opinion of many of the Gulf fishermen, tliat the offal when thrown into
the water furnishes food for l)ait fish, and for this reason is, on the contrary,
beneficial to the cod-fishery ; it is however, generally admitted to bo a i)ernici-
ous practice wlicn pursued at the mouths of rivers. It is besides a waste of
substance that might be turned into a source of profit.

It is estimated that the total yearly produce of the cod-fisheries of the ]Sorth
American coast is equal to l,oUO,000 tons of fresh fish ; of this, one-half is re-
fuse, and is thrown into the sea or left to decav on the shore, whicli if con-
verted into manure, would yield more than ir)0,000 tons, equal in value to the
guano of the Peruvian islands, which now furnish annually from 300,000 to
400,000 tons. The manure contains, according to an average of several
analysis, 80.0 per cent, of organic matters, 14.1 per cent, of phosphate of lime
and magnesia, besides some common salt, a little carbonate of lime, small por-
tions of sulphate and carbonate of ammonia, and only 1.0 per cent, of water.
This proportion of ingredients render it an invaluable fertilizng agent, worth
^17 per ton of 2,000 pounds.

3. Aug improvement in the nets, lines and other iacJde used in the fisheries. —
The answers to this query arc ambiguous. It may be inferred, either, that the
tackle employed is the best suited that has come to the knowledge of the fisher-
men, or that they are (juite up to the age in every a))j)liance tliat is necessary
for the successful prosecution of the fisheries. The writer is not aware to what
extent nets are made by the fishermen themselves ; net making gives employ-
ment, however, in many places to the fishing population in the winter mouths,
when their ordinary occupation is in a great measure interrupted.

4. The scarcity of bait, ivhieh is likely scriouslg to impede the proe^ 'ess of
certain fisheries. — Early in the present season the fishermen on the shores
of the county of Halifax (the largest fishing county in the province), loudly
complained of the scarcity of bait. It has been before remai-ked, that fresh
fish arc indispensable as bait for the shore fisheries, and when herring and
mackerel become scarce, the want of it is seriously felt in pursuing the
cod-fishery. So important is this matter to the colonists of Newfoundland,
that the trafiic in bait with the French is expressly forbidden by law. The
value of bait sold in 185G to the French fishermen, was estimated by compe-
tent authority at not less than c£r)8,000. -'The price whicii the French give
for bait," writes Professor Hind, " operates as a very seductive temptation
towards illicit trafiic. In l8r)6, an average of 2Gs. to 27s. stg. a barrel was
paid by them for herrings sold for bait, while the actual legitimate value of
herrings for exportation was at the same time only Gs. Id. stg."

11

^^ opinion
"gaged in
stioii fj-om
'fit iio saw
'^ Quebec,
iisliiiig at
le /jshing.
L'\v' JJmns-
'!»ing over
i'l repair.
Hilled to
veil."
tiio fish
general
eiy. It
\vii i]ito
eontnuy,
i- J>eniici-
u'uste of

10 Aorth
air is rc-
Jj ir eoii-
le to the
),000 to
' several
' of lime
mil por-
f water.
tj worth

cries. —
liat the
lisJier-
-o^sary
0 what
inj)loy-
onths,

'ess of
<Iiores
oudly
fresh
: and
: tho
land,
Tlie
npe-
givo
tion
was
oof

The writer would suggest, merclj as a subject of enquiry, whether in the
event of the scarcity of bait becoming a serious drawback to tho success of
the cod and haddock lishery generally in British North America, a resort
to the trawl used by the British fishermen, (wherein no bait is required),
might not be advantageous. Judging from the evidence contained iii a recent
l{ei)ort of the IJritish Fishery Commission, which is before me, tl^.oic is no
mode of fishing that is attended with better results. It might be tlio means
likewise of discovering some new species of fish that have not yet been taken
on our coast ; as the turbot, brill or sole, which are so common on the coast of
Great liritain. It is true tliat the greater depth of water over our limbing
grounds miglit render the use of tlie trawl imi)racticable in many places. On
the east coast of England, however, the larger class of trawlers never trawl
within twenty miles of the shore, or in less water than twenty fathoms.

f). JJefects in ciirin//. — Under this head, questions were submitted in tho
" Circular," resi)ecting every descri{)lioii of fish. The replies as regards
herring arc to the eflect that the greatest carelessness prevails in curing them,
and that frequent cases of fraud occur in putting them up for exportation.
Mackerel, it is stated, in many cases, are imperi'ectly cleaned, and in conse-
quence soon become tainted. Cod are often cured with a deficiency of sale,
and on the other hand frequently "burned" through oversalting. These
defects should not exist. They not only cause loss to tlie fishermen — they
iiilUct serious injury u})on commerce. It is only a few years since tlie inspec-
tion of cured fish was secured by law. It is tliouglit by some of our mer-
chants that a return to ofiicial inspection is much needed ; hence the (piestioii
arises. How far legislation may be beneficially ap})lied to remedy this evil?
The Uritish Commissioners in tlier report allude to the fact thU a Fishery
Board exists in Scotland, and also in Ireland, while in England no sucli con-
trol is exercised over the fisheries ; and they conceive that the liinctions of
these boards, so far as the sea lisheries are concerned, might cease without any
injurious elfect upon the fisheries. Tiiey conceive furtlier, " that the time Iths
now arrived when the fishery ti-ade may l)e entirely thrown open, and the arti-
ficial system created l)y the brand of the Fishery Board may be abolished, sub-
stituting tor it tlie sounder system already adopted with regard to all other
articles of trade." Tiiere is certainly soinetliing reasonable in the theory of
committing the business of the curing of fish to the same principles of honesty
and self-interest that guide other manufactures, though cxpcrienco seems to
have demanded an exception in tliu article of fish, and some imjiortant corres-
pondence which is contained in the Commissioners' Report would seem to
imply tliat the exccjition ought still to exist. A number of memorials from
the leading continental mercliants appear in tho Ajipendix to tho Re])ort,
wiiich rigidly insist ujion the continuance of the ofiicial brand on Scotcli her-
ring. An extract from one of these documents will characterise the wliole :
" The undersigned tlierefore strongly recommend the Royal CommlssioiKMs for
the Sea Fisheries of (Jrcat liritain to leave nothing undone wiiich will speedily
and forever secure the otlicial l)randing of herrings, and they further give it as
tlieir opinion that by so doing the interest of curers also will be better served
than if the branding were abolislied. Ilaml)urg, Nov. t)th, 1804." ^dr. Alex.
Miller, of Leitli, rddressing CJeorge Traill, Esq., M. P., on this tO|>ic. remarks:
" Among the argumoi' IS in favor of continuing the Fishery Board and the
ofiicial brand, therti • j one which I think cannot fail to have weight with tliosc
who [iropcso to !ib(Ii h tliem, viz.: that in various jiarts of tlie continent the
character of Scute' i herring has become so thoroughly established by means of
olUcial brands, that documents representing cargoes as specified quantities, aru

12

!i

hi V

dealt in and passed from hand to hand in the same manner as if they repre-
sented ' consols,' or any other well understood commodity of which the
description could be implicitly relied on." " I consider that the abolition of
the Fishery Board would be a great calamity to Scotland, and I trust you will
be able to find tlie means of averting such a blow."

AViiy the official inspection of fish was dincontinued in Nova Scotia, whether
from economic reasons, or because it was foxmd to be ineffectual, the writer is
unable to "-ay ; but this he has learned, that when in operation it was attended
with many abuses. He has been told of one fishing settlement, where it was
common for parties about to cure mackerel to bring a number of barrel-heads
to the deputy inspector, who, at their request, would brand them of the
quality desired, without examining tlie fish. It is most i)robable that the
Legislature was indis])Osed to appropriate an adequate sum to maintain such a
system in thorough efficiency : and the same principle of economy may have
dictated tlie rejection by the Legislature of last session of a petition, numer-
ously signed by the leading merchants, for a return to the system of official
inspection.

6. Is the supph/ offish increasing, stationary, or diminishiug ? — Tliis can only
be ascertained l)y comparing the exports IVom year to year, as no statistics
exist l)y which the annual amount of tish caught can be ascertained. In tlie
Talilc (Appendix No. 2) I furnisli an abstract of the total amount of fish ex-
ported to different countries in cacli year, from 1858 \^the year ]>rior to the
Reciprocity Treaty) to 186"). This Tabic sho\v:5 that our fisheries have iu the
aggrcijatc greatly increased. In two years from IcSoi; they make a Ijouml from
$l',i>40,l-29 to 8o,00o,000. Then, in the succeeding six" years, from 1.^5') to
18(J0, tliey amount to i^OiOOOiOOO, with little variation, except in 1858 wlien
they fell back to •ii<2,8«U,000. In 18i;i they fell Ijack to .^2,:;i»0,000, and do not
increase in the two following years ; Init in 18(34 they again reacli 8-),000,0UO,
aftd in 1805 attain 83,477,000. These figures, wiiich prove that our fisheries
arc increasing during an average of years, are in agreement witli the Report
of the I5ritish Connuissioncrs, as regards the IJritish fisheries. There is. how-
ever, an aspect of the question, which the facts contained in the Report referred
to suggest, that is not noticed by the Commissioners. While there has been a
progressive increase in tlie number of men and boats engaged in the fihlieries,
it is not shown that tlio increase of the p/oduction has Ijecn in an eipud ratio.
Indeed, as regards the herring fishery, which is llic })rincipal sea fishery of tlie
United Kingdom, it is proved that during the 25 years, terminating in 18G4,
the increase has been little or none. For example, in the live years ending
1844, the catch was 8,080,000 barrels ; from 1S45 to 184'J, 8,110,000 ; and in
the latest quinquennial period, 8i, 872,000. This can only show that the j)rinci-
pal fishery has not decreased. It is from this })oint of view, that the question
of pei'mitting foreigners to enjoy e(pial rights to our fisheries with ourselves is
to be coiisid(n"ed. If the number of persons engaged is greater, and the ])ro-
duction stationaiy, the proportion of gain to each person engaged must l)e less,
unless it can be shown that prices have greatly increased. Every additional
lisherman therefore, from another nation, as be is successful, must retluce the
quantity assigned to each of our own fishermen. This objection to foreign
right of fishing is especially ap[)licable to our mackerel fishery, which in most
cases is within three marine miles from the coast.

7. Shell Fisheries — Propagation of Ogstcrs. — Although Oysters arc taken iu

'GJ reprc-
liicli the

olition of
you will

wiicther

writer is

attended

:'o it was

cl-heads

of the
that the

sueh a
ay liave

iinincr-

ofjficial

f

an only

statistics

In the

fij^li ox-
>r to tiic

0 in the
nd from
ISoi) to
)'S when
[1 do not
)00,0U0,
(ishcrics

Huport
i.s. how-
I'oferred

been a
.^heries,
cl ratio.

of the

1 18G4,
ending

and in
jirinci-
icstioii
Ives is
10 i)ro-
10 less,
itional
CO the
Ji'oii^n
most

on lu

13

small quantities in a few places on the Gulf Shore, they are of little account
in considering this valuable shell-fish as a distinctive fishery.

The cxan:]ilo of Canada in the planting of oyster-beds on the shores of the
Gulf of St. Lawrence, is worthy of the imitation of Novascotians. As far as
the experiment has been tried, it lias proved successful, Cai)tain Fortin has
been most indefatigable in seeking to establish ihis valuable fishoiy on tlie
Canadian shores.

Some idea of the extraordinary value of tlie oyster fishery may be obtained
from the following facts, taken from Professor Hind's volume, already (pioted
in preceding pages. The annual value of tlic oyster trade of Virginia, before
the outbreak of the civil war, was 820,000,000, and the oyster trade of Balti-
more exceeds the whole wheat trade of ^faryland. The total value of the
oyster and shcll-fish fisheries of the United States is estimated to be §25,000,000
per annum, or more than all the other fisheries put together. The extraordi-
nary rapidity with wliich the oyster trade may become developed may be inferred
from the report of M. Coste to the Emperor of the Frencli, on the " Organiza-
tion of the Fisheries," wherein it is stated that tiie ])roduction of oysters
recommended by M. Coste, has taken such a prodigious dcvelopemcnt tliat, in
the Isle do Ec alone, more than 3,000 men, who liad come from the interior,
have alreadv established l,r)00 parks, whicli produce annually about o8T,000,000
oysters, of the value of 0,000,000 to 8,000,000 francs.

8. Fishery Board — Fisheri/ /Societies. — On first approaching the subject of our
fisheries, and becoming convinced of the important place wliich they will fdl in
our provincial industry, coinjjrising onehalf of the whole exports of the
country, the writer was impressed with the claim they had upon legislative
encouragement, to the extent at least that support is extended toother l)ranche3
of industry. He thought that an organization, somewhat similar to the Central
Board of Agriculture, might be judiciously established, comprised of a few of
the most practical and influential men who arc interested in the fisheries. Tho
numberless circumstances whicli immediately or remotely affect this depart-
ment of industry, would be thereby confronted ; and all the legitimate aid
which collected information and intelligeni action can allbrd, would bo tliereby
provided. It is true that the agricultural interest engages a larger number of
our population, and its aggregate numerical product is considerably greater ;
but the relations which our fislieries sustain to the employment of our shipping,
and the extension of our commerce, places them on an equality witii agricul-
ture, as deserving of support and encouragement. It is an unhappy circum-
stance for any country when its maritime interests is allowed to occu{)y a
secondpry place.

The British Commissioners, though they discountenance any kind of legisla-
tive interference with sca-fisheries, acknowledge the benefit of organizations in
the shape of ])rivate societies. They remark : " When we consider the amount
of care that has been bestowed on the improvement of agriculture, the national
societies which arc established for promoting it, and tlic scientific knowledge
and engineering skill which have been enlisted in ii^ aid, it seems strange that
the sca-fisheries have hitherto attracted so little of the public attention. Thcro
are few means of enterprise that present better chances of profit than our sea-
fisheries, and no object of greater utility could be named than the developoment
of enterprise, skill, and mechanical ingenuity, which might be elicited by the
periodical exhibitions and publications of an influential society, specially
devoted to the British Fisheries."

14

1

f 1

t "■

0. Reciprocity Treaty. — Two of the qnostions sufrgostcd under this head, arc,
" lias the Reciprocity Treaty operaiod beneliciaUy upon our lislicries ? "
" Has it l)een attended with any disadvantages to our lishermen ? " Of answers
to the first (juestion from every port in the Province and from several private
individuals, they are nearly all in the alhrmative. Of answers to the second
question, the negatives and allirmatives arc nearly equal ; some intimating that
the American (isliermen take our bait from us, others tliat they destroy tlie
schulcs by throwing over offal. Tlic general inference, however, is, that it has
been a gain to us, especially in alfording iis a rennmcrativc market. One cor-
res[iondeiit writes from tiie county of (luysl)orough, " The fishermen in this
locality have, since the eonnnencement of the lleciprocity Treaty, say for the
past ten years, made more money tlian during any ten years previous, from the
fact that they have had a free market in the United fftatcs, which is the oidy
market where a large proportion of our lish will sell to advantage ; and,
although the fish have not been so abundant, the extra price has moi^ than
compensated for the deficieney in catch. If a heavy duty ^\ere ])ut upon our
mackerel and herring in the United J^tutes, the fishery would not be remunera-
tive." ilc adds, " The American cod and mackerel (isliermen have not inter-
fered with us, nor injured our fisheries in this ^icinity tluring the past ten years,
and our lishermen caught more mackerel in 18G4 than in any i)revions year."

10. License System. — Tins arrangement entered into with the United States,
with the united consent of the Colonies, since the abrogation of the Reciprocity
Treaty, has chietly affected this Province. The opinion of our people regard-
ing it may be liest obtained from an extract from the Report of tlie Fishery
Committee of last Session of the Legislature. They remark : " As to the
system of granting fishing licenses to American lishermen adopted and practised
during the last year by the government of this and the adjoining provinces,
and to wliich the last named petitioners have called the attention of the Com-
mittee, the Committee agree with the i)etitionors in their expressions of deep
regret that the adoption of such an arrangement had become or was con-
sidered necessary. Nothing could more injuriously affect the fishing interest
of this province ; and the Committee cannot in terms too emphatic express
their disapproval of the injustice done to our industrious and enterprising
fishermen, in allowing American fishermen, upon nearly equal terms, to fish in
our waters, side by side with the former, while the American market is virtu-
ally closed by the high tariff, to their products. If in the words of the Colo-
nial Secretary, contained in the correspondence on the subject laid before the
House, ' motives of forbearance and good policy still demand the exercise of
this privilege,' the Committee earnestly recommend that, instead of levying a
pecuniary license fee therefore, stops be taken to arragne if practicable with
the American Government, for the admission of the products of Colonial fisher-
men into the American market free, or under a more reduced tariff than that
now imposed. The considerations received for the privilege Avould thus accrue
to the benefit of our fishermen as a class, who alone are entitled thereto, as
being the parties immediately injured."

I liave already apprised you of the fact that in many instances the license
has been evaded by American fishermen passing through the Gut of Canso.
The extent to which this has occurred cannot be ascertained until returns arc
made by the Collectors appointed to issue licenses. By far the largest amount
of revenue from this source is collected at the locality named. There was
received from licenses at the Strait of Canso last year 11,151, while Capt.
Fortin's Report shows but $296 collected by Canada in the Gulf of Saint
Lawrence.

15

lead, are,
licrios 'i "
i' answers
il private
>o second
iting that
^troy tlie
lat it has
One cor-
n in tliis
y for tiio
iVom the
tlie only
; and,
101 o than
ipon our
iinuncra-
lot inter-
in years,
IS year."

d States,
iiprocity

regard-
Fi>«Jiery

to tiio
•ractised
ovinces,
le Com-
of deep
'as con-
interest
express
•prising
' fish in
s virtu-
3 Colo-
3re the
cise of
ying a
lo witli
fisher-
n that
accrue
cto, as

iccnse

Janso.

ns are

nount

0 was

Capt.

Saint

11. Krporfation — 3Iarhets. — A reference to Appendix 2 will show to what
markets our fish are exported. Our fisiierics since lS."»o have increased, with
some variations, from ''5'1,940,129 to $3,470,401 in iHti"). It will be e(|ually
interesting to mark the ratio of cxjiortation to the jjrincipal markets. In
1858, British West indies absorbed 87 |)or cent, of the whole exports ; United
States uO per cent; British N. A. Colonies 17 per cent.; Great Britain 1 per
cent ; and other countries 15 per cent. In 1 800, when the whole exports
reaehe(l 8'>,00r>,000, the United States received instead of 80 per cent, as iu
18")8, tlin larger proportion of 48 i)er cent. ; Britisli West Indies 82 per cent. ;
British }s. A. Cohniies fell to 7 per cent. ; (^reat Britain about h. per cent.;
and other countries rose to 17i per cent. In 18")0, (^thc total exports being
about the same as in IBo")), the exj)orts to the United States I'ell off 7 jier
cent., while those to the British N. A. Colonics increased 8 per cent., and
those t(i other countries 4 per cent. In 1800, after a diminution in the ex-
ports during two of the intervening years, they again reached a little over
6*8,000.000, when we find the following proportion : United States, 87 per
cent. ; British West Indies, 84i per cent. ; British N. A. Colonics, G per cent. ;
Great Britain about h per cent. ; and other countries, 22 per cent. In the
year 1801, 1802, 1803, the whole ex])orts fell back to a little over two millions
and a quai'tcr ; but in 1804 they regain the maximum of the twelve years, a
little over three millions. In 18(1"), they reach *8,,477,1h1, which is thus dis-
tril>uted: United States, 42J i)er cent.; British West Indies, 88| per cent.;
Britisli N. A. Colonies, oi per cent. ; Great Britain nearly 3 per cent. ; and
other countries nearly 10 per cent. It apjjears from these figures that the
proportion of exports to the British N. A. Colonies has gradually decreased
since 1858 from !S824,93o to 6184,058, although the exports have increased
nearly 80 ])er cent, during the interval. The exports to the United States
have increased from 80 ])er cent, to 42 per cent. ; while those to British West
Iiulies have decreased from 87 per cent, to 88 per cent. The exports to Great
Britain from 1853 to 1804 varied from 615,000 to 640,000 ; but in 1805 they
rose to 600,000.

The decrease in the exports to the other British N. A. Colonics is a matter
for earnest consideration. The stimulus to intercolonial trade, which the
change in our commercial relations with the United States has occasioned will,
it is reasonably expected, be the means of increasing our exports of fish to
Ontario and the Western country. And when the intercolonial railroad is
coiu[)letcd, our fishing interest must necessarily receive a great impulse in that
direction. It must appear desirable that we should strive to cultivate enlarged
commercial intercourse with the Canadas in our native product,.!, which will aid i'l
cementing our fraternal relations, and in rendering our political union more com-
plete. The markets of the south of Europe are but little sought for our dry
fish ; the Jersey houses of Arichat being almost alone in that trade. The only
codfish shipped to Italy, Portugal and to the Brazils in 1805 was from Arichat ;
and Arichat very nearly reached Halifax in its cxjiorts to Spain. The high
duties on fish in European countries operates against \is, but the imperfect
manner of curing cod in general unfits it for carriage to a great distance. The
imi)roved laeilitics which the recent communications of the British North
American Commissioners with the Spanish West Indies and Brazil have
elicited, as well as the late political changes in Europe, present a larger field
for the development of this important branch of our industry.

It will lie well under this section, to refer to the increase or decrease of the
several kinds of fish during a term of years. This alone will determine
whether either of our fisheries is declining ; as in a single year, or in two or

iKarv:*-

16

thrco years, one fishery may decline, while the yield of another may be
augmented. This, however, does not often occur. When one fishery fails, it
generally happens that all fail ; though not in the same ratio. There is least
variation in codfish and scale fish ; hut in mackerel and herring these changes
are more irregular. In 18(30, the herring exjjorted amounted to 6T01»,Tt]0 ;
whereas, in liSG2, 1863, 18»J4, they did not reach ''$ooO,000 ; in 18G5 they in-
creased (including alcwives) to $4")2,oo7. This jn'oves that on.r herring
fishery is on the whole going backwards. As to mackerel, in 1800 the exports
was §o47,o8tj ; in ISGl, 1802, 1808, they fell to aliout $400,000; l)ut tlio year
18()2 shows the erratic character of the yearly catch of mackerel, for v.hile the
total exports in these three years are nearly alike, the export of mackerel in
1802 amounted to 8300,000. In 1804 and 180'), our mackerel fishery i.icrcased
beyond any proportion to the whole increase in our exports, being in 1804
$l,107,0;;i', and in 1805 ••i'l,0T7,27o. It must be added, however, that in these
two years shad and lialil)ut are included ; but they do not swell the amount
beyond $20,000 to $<25,000. The export of salmon shows but little variation
during the six years.

12. Skttistics. — This is a sultjcct, improvements in which cannot 1)0 too
strenuously recommended. If it is desirable to be informed of the true
status of any one of our fisheries, its increase or its decline, the statistics
concerning each must be separate and distinct. The IJritish Comnussiou-
crs remark on this toi)ic : — " AVe think it a matter of great importance that
fishery statistics should be systematically collected. It is only by sucli means
that the constant recurrence of the panics to which the sea-iishery has hitherto
been subjected can be ])revented, and that any trustworthy conclusion can bo
arrived at regarding the elfects of the modes of fishing which are in use."
The only data that we i)Ossess for ascertaining the progress and extent of our
fisheries, arc the Tables in the Trade Returns.

¥.

'■' ^fc'i^

There is one important feature presented in viewing our fisheries as a whole,
viz. : the relation that they sustain to the shipping interest. Of the 88,<5:jO,-
69o worth of merchandize exported from Nova Scotia in 1804-5, but littlo
more than half a million was exported in foreign ships ; and the fisheries are
the nursery for providing sailors to navigate the numerous vessels of every
class that are employed in our commerce. We see, too, how the fisheries
afford employment for our vessels. There is no staple of the country that to
such a degree gives life and energy to our commerce. Of the whole exports
from 1854 to 1805, more than two-fifths was in fish ; in 1800 nearly one-half
the total exports consisted of fish. I have alluded to the fisheries as a nur-
sery for seamen, and to the jealousy which the French cherish towards them,
from this consideration alone. Ere long, the British and Colonial fisheries
will have to be regarded with more concern than is now extended to them ; the
deficiency of seamen for the British mercantile marine being seriously felt by
British shipowners.

The subject of the Fisheries of Nova Scotia can no longer bo considered from
a local point of view. There are many advantages that must accrue to the
fishery interest from the political union of the British North American Colonies.
United action in the protection of our common fishing grounds ; removal of
disabilities between Provinces ; negotiations with other States ; opening new

"m^M

17

itlicr may be
islieiy lails, it
riiei'c is least
thci^c (jlian.ycs
to 8701),7^0 ;
18(1 "j they in-

ot'.r iic'iTinj^
0 the exports

hilt tlio year
for v.-Iiilo' the

mackerel in
cry ;.icrcased
ing in l8()i
that in these

the amount
ttle variation

nuot 1)0 too
of the true
lie statistics
Commissiou-
)rtance that
f^uch moans
has liitherto
sion can bo
re in use."
:tcnt of our

as a wliole,
lie e8,<J80,-
, but little
shcries are
s of every
ic fisheries
try tliat to
•le exports
ly one-half
as a nur-
irds them,
.1 fisheries
them ; the
sly felt by

lercd from
uo to the
L Colonies.
3moval of
ning new

I

markets for our fish ; a generous rivalry among the several Provinces, pro-
moted by periodical exhibitions ; improvement in naval architecture ; these,
and many otlier considerations furnish an argument in favor of Colonial Union,
in the behalf of our fisheries. From its consummation we date the introduction
of a new impulse to our Colonial enterprise and prospcity. The united
supervision and surveillance of our fisheiy interests should bo hailed as a pre-
sage of future greatness.

The Laws relating to our Sea Fisheries are to be found in the Revised
Statutes, Tliird Series, Chap. 9-1,

II. RIVER FISHERIES.

Not less important than tlio Sea Fisheries, though more limited in their
extent, are tlie valuable fisheries which pertain to our rivers and estuaries.
The fish wliich resort to our rivers are the salmon, the trout, the gaspereau
or alcwife, the shad, the bass, and the smelt. Valuable as these fislieries are,
when treated separately, especially the salmon fisheries, an important connec-
tion subsists between the fisheries in the rivers and those in the ocean, since it
is well known that certain kinds of fish that propagate in the rivers form a
large share of the food of the cod, the haddock, and the mackerel, which
abound on the coast. The gaspereau fishery is valuable in this respect, and
its care and preservation is most important as regards the cod-fishery. The
mouths of all the rivers frequented by gaspcreaux, are resorted to by cod at
the proper season, thus affonling profitable occupation to the coast fishermen ;
and wherever the gaspcreaux have been allowed to be exterminated, the cod-
fishery has ceased to exist. Xo fish that ascends rivers from the sea in order
to spawn, is of so much consequence to the cod-fishermen as the gaspereau.

So necessary is it that attention be directed to the condition of our river
fisheries, that unless a vigorous legislation is interposed, the once abundant
salmon, the gas|jereau, the shad, and the sea-trout, will become exterminated.
It is the unanimous testimony from every county in the Province that the
numbers of these valuable fish are rapidly decreasing ; and notwithstanding
that there are legal enactments against these obstructions, mill dams are con-
tinually being constructed without the least chance for the passage of fish.
Often al)andoned for want of work, their mills block up many a fine stream
without any effort to help the fish in passing to their haunts. The tidal net-
ters, whenever an opportunity ofiers, jjlace their nets entirely from bank to
bank ; the same practice is pursued at every available station of the river ;
gaspcreaux weirs, and the shameful use of the s{)ear on the spawning grounds,
complete the list of destructive agents. Much praise is due to the gentlemen
comprising the " Society for the Protection of the Inland Fisheries and the
Game of Nova Scotia," for their patriotic efforts to prompt the public to an
interest in the preservation of the River Fisheries. This society was founded
in 18oo, and has at different times published a report of its labors. Its inde-
fatigable president, Capt. Chcarnley, is known to have been engaged for a
brief period by the Provincial Government as Commissioner for the protection
of the Inland Fisheries. All the efforts of this Association are, however,
rendered abortive, so long as County Inspectors arc wholly negligent in the
discharge of their duties, and the Magistrates of the country permit the laws
to be violated almost before their eyes.

18

The Salmon. — Salmo Salar.

m

Palmon enter tlio rivers of Nova Scotia from the middle of March to the
middle of September. They swim along the coast from southward and west-
ward, entering first the rivers of Shclbnrne, Queens, and Lunenburg ; later,
th,:; rivers of Halifax and Guysboro', and still later, the rivers and sti-eams of
the Gulf of St. Lawrence. IJut this eastwardly course is not always preserved
with respect to contiguous rivers, as they sometimes reverse the usual order by
appearing first in the eastern rivers. Tlie female salmon first enters, the male
follows about a month after ; and lastly come the grilse or young salmon. On
the passage up they take the fly of the sportsman, and are seen leaping over
the natural obstacles or artificial l)arriers that arrest tlieir progress, sometimes
to a height of six or eight feet. They often linger in the decj) holes of tho
streams which they are ascending. They become lean and thin almost imme-
diately on entering the fresh waters. Their llcsii loses the lively red tint and
exquisite flavor, their silvery sides turn yellow, their steel-blue backs a dingy
black, and reddish diffused patches their sides, head, and cheeks.

In the autumn the male salmon is seen frccpienting the shallow, sandy-bot-
tomed ruiniing streams, lie is busy furrowing up tlie gravelly bottom with
his lower jaw, in water so shallow that his tail flaps upon the surface. The
loitering sportsman often perceives him working up stream so as not to foul
his water, and sedulously conducting his mate into the furrow, where ho im-
pregnates the ova streaming from her teeming sides, or rushing out iipon the
shoals of young males in clouds about him, each a miniature salmon, with
hook and bill, though barely six or seven inclics long. They are now said to
return to the sea, ])rincij)ally because we find them there in early spring.
Some say they remain in the river or lakes all winter ; and no doubt many do.
Capt. Chearnley is of o})inion that this is caused by debility ; and that in the
spring they are found in an exhausted state. It may be said that the salmon
in Nova Scotia have their principal run from the ocean to the lakes in April,
May, and June ; that they s})awn in November, and immediately return to the
ocean. But this is only generally true.

The Sea Trout. — Salmo Canadensis.

The sea trout which frequents our rivers had been improperly described as
the salmo trutta, or European species. Frank Forrester (Mr. Herbert) doubted
whether it was not a grilse, or salmon of the third year. Mr. Norris, who has
written a valuable book on the fishes of the North American rivers, and on the
art of taking them, has proved the sea-trout of New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia to be the Salmo Canadensis of Colonel Hamilton Smith. Fresh from
the sea, compared with a brook-trout, the sea-trout has larger and more dis-
tinct scales ; the form is not so much compressed ; the markings on the back
are lighter, and not so vermiculate in form, but resemble more the broken
segment of a circle ; it has fewer spots, which are also less distinct. It is
more slender until it reaches two pounds ; a fish of seventeen inches (includ-
ing the caudal), after it has been some time in fresh water, weighing only a
pound and three quarters, while a brook trout of the same length, in good
condition, would weigh three-quarters of a po\ind more. They become more
robust, however, as they increase in weight.

The tide water mouths of the various rivers are the favorite resorts of this

19

arch to tlio
•d and wcst-
>urg; later,
streams of
ys preserved
iml order by
rs, the male
ahnoii. On
eaj)ing over
, t^ometimcs
oles of the
most iiumo-
ed tint and
;lvs a dingy

, sandy-bot-
)ottoni with
rface. Tiie
not to foul
icre ho im-
it upon the
Imon, with
liow said to
irly spring.
it many do.
that in the
the salmon
■s in April,
iurn to the

jscribed as
t) doubted
s, who has
and on the
and Nova
'resli from
more dis-
tlie back
10 broken
ct. It is
! (includ-
ig only a
I, in good
>me more

is of this

beautiful fish. In these waters he remains till August, sometimes running up
the rivers with the tide a few miles, then again running seaward. A very
gaudy fly will tempt him out of cover, in tlie thick tangled kelpy marine
forest.^'. lie is taken in our tide waters from May till August, both in the Bay
of Fund}' and along our Atlantic sea-board, and at Cape Breton. After Au-
gust ho is found in the lakes and streams. In winter they are occasionally
taken through the ice with bait, from one to twenty miles from the salt water,
and thoy have been seen returning to the sea in March. W. 0. Silver, Esq.,
of Ilulifax, who has studied their habits for years, and in waters running
through his own lands, is of oi»inion tiiat they remain all winter in the fresh
water, leaving the tideway in August, that they ra[)idly change their color and
shape in fresh water, approximate to the brook trout in botli, but arc always
distinguishal)le. The weight of this fish goes as high as seven pounds ; their
general average is about two pounds. Tiie flavor of its flesh is thought to
exceed salmon,

Tlic rivers eastward from Halifax abound in this descrijition of trout. They
are l're(|uently taken in nets, and preserved in pickle. To the sportsman these
rivers furnish capital fisiiing. One })arty of sportsmen, not very long since,
hired a schooner and sailed along the coast, stopping at the mouths of the
rivers, where tiiey found the sea-trout in great abundance. In Tangier River,
tln-ee of tlie j)arty caught twenty-one dozen in the space of three hours, fre-
quently hooking two at a time. Tliis occurred before Tangier became a gold-
mining settlement ; but the river still abounds with these fine trout.

The Smelt. — Osmerus Jlridescena.

This savoury little fish, tliough found in the greatest abundance in the
smaller streams that flow into the sea, has never been deemed of sufficient
worth as to become an article of exportation. They are very extensively used
by the inhabitants who reside near their habitats, and are very generally sold
by hawkers in the city of Halifax. It seems almost an offence to claim for the
smelt a relationship with the elite family of the salmonida} ; nevertheless natu-
ralists persist in calling it a mbnon. They come up the river to spawn as far
as the head of the tide. When the ice disai)pears in the spring, they ascend
the small streams and rivers in largo schules to spawn, and are taken in great
quantities from the shores by means of dip-nets, or by weirs built of spruce
boughs and twigs. In the month of May, just above the tide-water, immense
schules of them arc directed in their course so as to ])ass through a narrow
opening, formed by i»iliiig sioncs in two obli((ue rows, nearly together at the
upi)er ends. As the smelts rush through in a continous stream, they arc dipped
lip with scoop nets. It is in season during the winter months, when it is taken
through holes in the ice.

The Striped Bass. — Labrax Lineatus.

Although other species of the percidoc, or perch family, arc found in our
rivers, the striped bass is the most important, not only from its excellence as
an article of food, but from its large size, sometimes obtaining a length oi
three feet. It is not abundant in Nova Scotia, and for this reason its preser-
vation and increase should become a matter of solicitude by the promoters oi
our river fisheries.

Jt r

20

1 t

Along the shoro of tho Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the bass make their appear-
ance in large schulcs, in tho early part of September. They keep around tlio
islands, and between the outer bar and tho beach of the lagoons, wlicre they
are often taken in nets, and also at night with torch and spear. As the season
advances, and the weather becomes colder, they penetrate into bays and arms
of the sea, and ascend tho rivers at some distance, where they spend tho winter
resting on the mud in a half torpid state. Tlie bass whicli are brought to
Halifax for sale are generally taken in the rivers or estuaries of tho Hay of
Fundy. Where tho shad spawns is the natural feeding ground of tlic bass or
rock-fish, and this capacious Bay is the famed rendezvous of the shad.

Some fine specimens of the bass of Nova Scotia have been exhibited in tho
Nova Scotian collection at the London aiul Dublin Exhibitions, and uncom-
monly fine ones were procured by Mr. Townscnd for the Paris Exhibition
collection.

TiiK Shad. — Alosa SapUUssima.

The "king" of the herrings is rarely seen on tho Atlantic coast of Nova
Scotia. Occasionally it is taken in thf nets that are set for salmon. Its
favorite resort is in the muddy waters of the Bay of Fiuidy, where it attains
its highest perfection.

It is said by the fishermen of the Bay of Fundy that there are two species or
varieties — one species, purs'ied by dog-fish, sharks, and other fish of prey,
appear in the Bay of Fundy about the month of June, never go into the fresh
water, and are never found with spawn ; the otiicr species, called river shad,
on the contrary, are usually replete with spawn, and are distinguished from
the sea shad by their brightness of color. This opinion is not confirmed by any
description of the shad by naturalists ; they know of but one species. (See
evidence before Fishery Committee — Journals 1845.)

" They arrive," writes a reliable informant, " from the 20th June to the 10th
or 15th of July, and the fishing continue;- from four to eight weeks, when they
leave the Cobequid Bay and the Basin of Minas, going down through the Gut,
between Parrsborough and Blomidon." My informant entertains the opinion
that the shad caught in June, July, and August, arc tlic same that frequent the
American coast early in the spring, in the bays and rivers of Virginia, later at
New York, continuing along the coast of Maine and New Brunswick. He
adds that they feed on a vegetable substance which grows along the shores ; on
the flats they never take the bait ; and the farther cast they are taken the
better their quality. This notion of their southern origin seems to have been
accepted by Mr. Perloy, whom I have quoted in my Descriptive Catalogue of
Fishes ; but Mr. Norris, an American writer on Fishes, discards it.

This rare fish is less plentiful than in former years. Sixty years ago, women
and children, and even the house-dog, (in many instances an excellent fisher-
man,) could go at low water and catch as many as they could carry home.
There were two ways of capturing them next in vogue : first, by spearing them
in tiie holes or gullies made by the swift current on the sand flats ; second, by
setting seines across the mouths of the creeks and rivers. Next were intro-
duced the weirs built of strong stakes, interlaced with brush. The drift-net is
the latest and best appliance for shad-fishing, and is adopted on both sides of
the Bay. The drift-net allows the small fish to escape, which are captured in
large numbers in the weirs to the destruction of the fishery. These nets are
45 meshes deep, and many of them 300 fathoms long. On the Colchester side
of the Bay there are about one hundred boats and nets. The shad are caught

9.

I

I

ta

cr

C|
iiij
I ill
itJ

1

i

til

:.'^'i.i.<:Mi..i'i. tjv. Ja»«i*(»

their appcar-
) around the
• where they
ls the season
ys and arms
d the winter

hrouffht to
f tlie iJay of
the bass or
ad.

>ited in the
and uncom-

Exhibition

1st of Nova
almon. Its
e it attains

0 species or
sh of prey,

0 the fi-esh
river shad,
ishod from
lued ))y any
cies. (See

to tlie 10th
when they
:h the Gut,
he opinion
equent the
a, later at
wick. He
iliores; ou
taiien the
liave been
talogue of

ro, women
3nt fisher-
•ry home.
I'ing them
econd, by
ere intro-
rift-nct is

1 sides of
Jtured in

nets aro
3ster side
■e caught

I

21

in the night, as thoy will not mesh in the day time. The boats go out in the
evening and return in tiic morning witii from sixty or a !nindrcd to ten or
twelve hundred fish.

The shad is of some importiinco as an export, although it cannot bo ascer-
tained what quantity is actually exported in each year. In 18(50 the census
gives 7,'I1!) barrels as the (piantity cured in the Province, of which Colchester
contributed I},()!>1 barrels; Kings, 1,274 barrels; Hants, 107S barrels, and
Ciunlieriand (!;V2 barrels. The writer is unable to ascertain whether its
increase is within the compass of human aid or foresight ; its habits being so
little known, dilferiiig in many respects from those of the mlmonidoe^ and from
its congener the alewife.

Tfii-: Alewifh: or Gaspicrfiau. — Alosa Tyrannus.

This excellent fish, it is to bo regretted, is fist disappearing in Nova Scotia.
Tin; mills erecled on our numerous streams have either stopped his progress to
the uj)i)er waters, which his instinct has taught him to choose for his spawning
ground, or the saw-dust and litter from the mills has frightened him backwards
in his course, and the process of procreation has thus l)een arrested.

The ascent of the alewife to the lakes is made in the latter end of April or
beginning of Alay. The moment the sj)awning is over, the instinct of the
gaspereau teaches him to return to salt water ; but there seems to be some
diniculty in det<!rmining the exact time. Some olisorvers [lut it at twenty-one
days, in which time, from leaving the sea, the gaspereau has spawned and com-
menced his return, allowing that i)c has met with no obstruction. Others say
that they have met them during July on the lakes ; and others, that they have
scon them passing down in Augnst. J'ut all agree that the young fry go down
to the sea in September and October, at which time they are over four inches
in length.

October seems to be the last date for even the fry to be seen in fresh water.
The ascent to the lakes, and return to the deej) water, have occupied some
three months. The other nine months they are hid from us. They are taken
in snuill numl)ers, generally with herring, sometimes with the mackerel, as late
as the 24111 November, on our coast, Imt they arc only stragglers ; the great
body that swar\ncd our rivers must leave our coast to return in spring. They
return either to deej) soundings or to the south. After gaining the salt water
the lean, weak fish, rapidly recruit, become silvery, very fat, and a few indivi
duals have a deep blu(! band of one inch aiul a quarter extending along the
back. Onr (isliermen call them blue backs, readily distinguish them, and
maintain them to 1)C a separate fish ; but this is only conjecture.

As an article of food wl'.en eaten fresh, it is not held in great estimation.
When slightly struck with salt and smoke-dried, it is called a " kiack," and is
very palatable. Many are cured in this way about Lunenburg and the Atlantic
sea-board. The Indians dry them in the sun about their wigwams, but the
usual way is to salt them in barrels like herring, and use them in each family
for home consumption. Their leanness makes them a good export for the
West Indies, as the fat herring becomes completely decomposed into oil by tho
climate.

By the Government returns for 1861, the total number cured is put down at
12,5<J5 barrels. Since that date they are not returned separately, but classed
with common herring.

2a

1

The Ei:l. — Angnilla Vulijaris.

Tlio eel, altliough in reality an excellent food-fish, is not iimch esteemed in
Nova Hcotia. Jt is very iibiuulant in our rivers and estuaries. It is not, uc-
cordinjjf to our definition, a river fish, if, as is jjfenerully supposed, it spawns in
salt water, and migrates to fresh water ; the vei-y reverse of sliad, herring, and
salmon. It finds its way into many of the lakes, and will shift its (|uarters
from one creek or lake to another, hy erawlinj^' throujfli the j^rass. It is eaujjjht
in a variety of ways, hut seldom with the liook and line, except when he hrinp^s
the youthful angler to grief, twisting his line into a Cordian knot, that compels
a resort to the Jack-knife. In summer it is caught in long round Imliaii
baskets, called eel-pots ; it is also taken by torch-light with the s|)ear. In win-
tor it is taken through holes in the ice by spearing it in the mud, where it there
lies torpid.

Among the other sj)ecies and varieties of fish that abound in the inlnnd
waters of Nova Scotia, 1 might enumerate the common brook-trout; the s<ihno
gloverii, a yary beautiful dark brown trout, misnamed a grayling; the xahno
conjinis, a largo blackish tisli found in our interior lakes, (jf coarse flesh, and
not abundant. There are two species of the perciilr, and several species of
the cyprinidai or carf) family; but none of the "'while fishes" (as they aro
called by pisciculturists) are esteemed wJiere the trout can be obtained with
little difliculty. The trout is, however, fast disappeaiing from lakes near tho
metropolis, wiiich formerly teemed with them. The trout se(,'ker must now
repair to more distant waters with any hope of success ; and the larmer or
woodman who was wont to re]»air to the neighboring lake for liis imprcjmptu
meal, no longer enjoys so cheaj) and ricii ;l fare. J]ut in the interi(jr lakes
trout arc still abundant, and in many jcmote places leap and sjiaikle in iho
sunlight, and pursue llieir gambols unmolested by the sp(ntsman ; startled only
by some falling tree or loosened stone rudely plashing the glassy lake, or
whore their quiet retreat is invaded by the prow of the Indian's canoe.

OBSTRUCTIONS IN RIVERS.

These obstructions have long v'xisted in the rivers of Nova Scotia, and
although partly from tlie cccasion:.i enforcement of the laws for the regulation
of River Fisheries, and partly from the efforts of the Society for the protection
of the Inland Fisheries, some imjjrovemcnt is visible, the condition of our
rivers at the present time is in many places as deplorable as it was described to
be in 1854. Under Governor LeMarchant a special encpiiry was insti-
tuted for the information of the Legislature. Since then no ofllcial general
enqiiiry into the condition of the rivers of Nova Scotia has Iteen 'nade. At
the period adverted to, out of twenty-seven rivers reported upon, only five were
not totally obstructed, and in such a manner that unless in case of high water,
fish, even of the smallest size, could not pass and repass. On some of the
rivers there were accumulations of refuse lumber and slabs, which blocked up
the bed of the river in some instances to the height of twenty feet. Another im-
portant injury to the salmon fishery which was adverted to in one of the returns,
was the use of the small mesh net, which proved destructive to the run of
salmon the ensuing season by taking the grilse or young salmon, which had not
attained more than one quarter of their growth. A nefarious practice was dis-
covered in one locality, of setting eel-pots at the tail of the mill-flooms, in

23

csteoniod m
Jt is not, jic-
it spawns in
't'rrin^r, and
'Is (|uarf('rs
U is caujrlit
Ml he Iti'iiifrs
liat compels
uiid Indian
Jn \vin-
cro it tlioro

tlio inlnnd
; tlio isdhno
tlio Hdhno
0 fifsh, and
s|)Ocies (;f
»>i tlicy arc
'inod with
'^ near flio
mnst now
! lanner or
iinpi'oniptu
•Ji'ior lakes
iklu in the
aitled only

Y lakt

e.

:otia, and
•ouulation
irotection
ju of our
■scribed to
"IS insti-
1 general
ade. At
live were
jli water,
10 of the
icked up
Jther im-
returns,
) run of
had not
was dis-
Doms, in

whieh huxlifh of ymmcf mhnon ivcre dentroijeH and giveu to fJu- pu/s. Tlio erec-
tion of hrusli-weirs eoniplelely spanning the river, nnd th(! setting of nets
entirely across tiie stream, were jtractised in many places without any dread of
the law.

The Conunittee of the Legislature manifested so decj) an interest in the sul>-
ject that they gathered from authentic sources much vahuiMe information
concerning the hahits of the salmon and the manner of artificial proj)agati()n,
and answers lo (juestions sul)niitt(!(l to (!xperienced jiersons, all of which
was emhodied in a pamphlet, and puMished l»y the Ciovernment. They i-e-
feri'cd parliculaily to the answers of Cajjtain Chearnley, as comprising
information on the suhject of our own fisheries not hitherto submitted to tho
pulilie. One looks in vain through the Journals of the Legislature, during tho
period of six years, from 18.')7, for any legislative action regarding the river
fisheries.

It the Journals of lSf!4 I find a valuable paper on the subject of our river
fisheries, over the signature of Hon. A. (r. Archibald, who was then Chaiinian
of the "• Law Amendment Committee." It is concerning a bill submitted to
the fiCgislature with rei'ereiice to these fisheries. It treats of the criminal
negl(H;t of the fisheries, and urges the em])loyment of the most energetic means
for IhfMr restoration and protection. It reconnnends the spreading broad-cast
among the j)eople such information as to the hal)its of the fish, and the necessi-
ty of protection, " as will enable them to appreciate the policy on which our
legislation is founded." It suggests the adoption of ladders, such asi were
being used in (Jreat l>ritain with success, and reconnnends that private parties
should be encouraged to ol)tain possession of our rivers, with a view to experi-
menting in matters connected with the conservation offish and the protection
of the liver fisheries. The Committee also advised the Government to offer a
{)rize for the best essay on the hal)its and natural history of the fish resorting
to our rivers, their protection, ttc, and to i)ublish and distribute the same ex-
tensively in the Province.

The following year (1S(].")) the suggestions of the Committee resj)ecting fish-
ladders were taken uj) by the '' (lame and Fisheries Protection Society," when
a model of the ladder was prepared and sultmitted to a Committeof the Legisla-
ture, who recommended that it be adopted, and a similar model sent to tho
Cleik of the Peace for each ('ounty or District in the Province, and that pro-
vision be made in the law to make the use of such fish-ladder imperative ; and
that a })enidty be enforced against any person taking any fish within them, or
within a distance of ^ixty yards from them.

FiSllI-.RY PKOTKCIiOiN SOCIKTY.

A Society called tlie " Provincial Association for the Protection of the Tn-
laiul Fisheries and Game of Nova Scotia," was founded in Halifax in 1853.
This society was initiated in the same year that unusual interest was manifested
by the Provincial Legislature in the subject of our river fisheries, which I have
already referred to. The institution of this society has had a beneficial effect
in urging upon our Legislature from time to time to adopt more active mea-
sures for the preservation of the inland fisheries. The early history of tho
society was marked with singular activity in carrying out its object; and
though it has suffered an interval of inactivity, it has again renewed its vigor,
and lias, within the last three years, without any legislative assistance, suc-
ceeded in restoring certain rivers in the Province, especially in the County of

liiiii

24

Halifax, to a hopeful condition. If the society languished, it was for want of
funds to carry out its scheracs. It has throughout enjoyed the knowledge and
experience of a gentleman already referred to as its President, and has had
other military gentlemen, and some of our most influential citizens as its mem-
bers and managers.

Among otiier eiforts, the society has published valuable papers relating to
the Inland Fisheries, for general circulation ; and at convenient intervals has
published a report of its labors. Finding that efforts of this kind were ineffec-
tual in arresting the declension of the fisheries, and that in the community
generally the most lamentable apathy existed, its managers resolved to ap-
propriate its limited funds to the employment of overseers in rivers in the
County of Halifax, to carry out the laws which the Sessions neglected to
enforce. As the result of the activity and determination of these overseers,
directed by the Council of the Society, the report of 1805 shows that the lish-
ways and mill-dams in Musquodoboit River were opened, and a large number
of salmon had ascended the river; on Colo Harbor and Lawrencetuwn Rivers,
proper gates were made in the dams, and the run of fish was extensive ; Indian
River had been well attended to, and during the season very many fish ascended
the waters. The report of the Society for 18()(j will be found in the Aj>pendix
(No. 4), which exhibits the improved condition of the ])rincipal rivers in the
County of Halifax, effected wholly through the exertions of this society.

During the recent session of the Legislature, a deputation fi-om the society
were granted a conference with the Fisheries Committee, who at their instance,
recommended to the House the appointment of an efficient Inspector of Inland
Fisheries for the whole Province. This suggestion, tliough acted u])on by tiie
House of Assembly, was defeated in the Council, who deferred the bill on the
ground that the Inland Fisheries would in a short time be transferred to the
control of the General Government of Canada. Extracts from the report of
the Fisheries Committee, recommending the ap|)ointment of an Inspector, and
eulogizing " the disinterested and useful efforts" of the society, is produced in
the Appendix (No. 5.)

GENERAL REMARKS.

1. Fisiery Law" of Canada. — As all our fisheries are now placed under the
control of the Dominion of Canada, tnc laws of the several Provinces will lie
assimilated ; and as more vigorous measures have long been adojited by Can-
ada for tiie protection of lier River Fisheries, any more bcneficiiil onnctments
that Canada may enjoy will doul)tlcss be embodied in any general Act that may
emanate from Parliament. Among ilie enactments that are peculiar to Canada,
are in substance the following :

The Governor in Council may make any regulations that may be found
necessary for the better management of the fisheries.

The close time for salmon is between the Blst July and the 1st May.

Fly-fisliing is permitted between the 30th Ajn'il and tiie 31st August.

The taking of fry, parr, and smolt is proiiibited ; and grilse or salmon under
three pounds weight, wlieii taken in nets, are to be liberated.

Meshes of nets used for capturing salmon, to be five inches in extension.

The use of nets or other apparatus to be connucd to tidal waters, except by
special license from the Commissioner of Crown Lands.

wMPiAiMwMHaMMl

»s for want of
nowlcdgo and
» and lias liad
IS as its mem-

•s relating to
intervals has
were ineffec-
' (community

solved to ap.
^■Jvors in the
neglected to
0 overseers,
liat the lish-

n'ge number
own Rivers,

j\'e; Indian

sli aseended

0 A])pendix

\'crs in the

eiety.
the society

Ji' instance,

»'■ of Inland

J'on by the
l»ill on the

•■'•cd to the

e report of

'fctor, and

■oduced ill

nidor the
s will be
I ''v Can-
!><Minonts
-Jiat may
Canada.

0 found

ion.
2ept by

26

No salmon to be captured within two hundred yards of the mouth of any
stream which salmon frequent to spawn.

Any one throwing deleterious substances into any river, shall incur a fine
not exceeding one hundred dollars ; and saw-dust or mill-vubbish shall not be
thrown into any stream frequented by salmon or trout, under a like penalty.

The owner of a mill-dam is required to bear one-half the expense of con-
structing a tish-way ; and half is borne by the Government.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands may authorize to be set ajiart, and may
grant leases for any river or water for the natural or artificial propagation of
iish.

[The laws for the regulation of the River Fisheries of Nova Scotia arc in the
Revised Statutes, chap. 95.]

2. Leases and LicMses. — In Canada, where nearly all the productive rivers
in which salmon are to be found run throu<fh remote wild lands, and are the
proj)Ci(y of the Government, lishing leases or licenses arc issued by the Com-
missioner of Crown Lands, for a term not exceeding nine years, and for a longer
term by order of the Governor in Council. In the Lower Provinces, where
projirietary rights are largely involved, the license system would in most locali-
ties l)c attended with insurmountable difliculties. There are, nevertheless, two
asj)ccts in which ihe payment of royalty for river jirivilcges is advantageous.
However rejnignant to our cherished ideas of conunon right in the propei'ty of
fish, facts have proven that this right has been shamefully abused ; that the
most reckless and even wilful destruction of fish has lieen pursued; and
that the ignorance or wilfulness of the many has well nigh destroyed the bird,
and that we have all but lost the glittering egg. Fishing being confined to
fewer persons, who pursue it as a chosen employment, with |)roper guards
against the evils that existed when the rivers were connnon pro[)Ci'ty, tiie in-
terests of the whole comnumity are likely to be bettor promoted. The other
aspect is that of revenue ; and it is in all respects as just that the revenue
should bo augmented from a sovereignty in rivers as from a sovereignty in the
lands through which they How.

'{. Inspectors "-r Overseers. — The ap[)ointment of Overseers in Canada is
vested ill the Commissioner of Crown Lands. This centralization system is
vastly superior to ours, where the wardens are appointed ly the Sessions. But
even tlii ; system does not dispense wit . the necessity of one active Supervisor
of experience, and, if possil)le, of scijh* Ic knowledge, as recommended by the
Committee on the Fisheries in their Report to the Legislature.

' 4. Obsfructions, (j'l;. — As ti; the pernicious ))ractlcc of fouling our salmon
streams with saw-dust and other refuse, and the injiuy inflicted by fixed
nets and weirs, Russell, in his work on the salmon, in substance writes :
"Any white objiH^t i)laced in the track of tlie fish, irrespective of its cap-
turing power, will tlrive the salmon away." In Nova Scotia, as in Cana-
da, fixed nets and lix'Ml weii's are legalized. There is little doubt that
the existence cf tl^cse {Ixci engines is the j)ilncipal cause of the low
condition of the sahiion fisheries in both Provinces. In 1<SG0 the Hrit-
ish salmon fisheries were in a wretched condition, and thrjo com.ais-
sioners, at the head of whom was Sir W. Jardinc, IJart., the eminent luitu-
ralist, Avere appointed to ascertain the cause of their decline. After a great
deal of lalior these commissioners presented an elaborate report to the t^uecn,
in which they state : '" Wc aro prepared, after a full consideration of the case,

im

26

ill

to recommend the total suppress'on of all fixed engines on the estuaries and
sea coasts. These engines, with but few excef)tions, arc of modern invention.
Stalce nets liave been scarcely known in PJngland until \vithin the last fifty
years. * * * a„(J they arc opposed to the whole aim and spirit of the
fishing laws, the object of which, as has been fully sliown, was to secure to the
salmon a free passage to and from the sea, and to causf an equitable distribution
of them throughout the rivers. These engines are banefn.! to tiie fisheries, not
only on account of the number of fisli which they dc troy, but also because
they scare and drive them away to the sea when they como in shoals seeking
the rivers, thereby exposing them to be injured or destroyed in a variety of
ways." The remedial policy which is herein indicated, resulted in raising the
money value of the salmon i)roduce of the 5mall rivers of Britain, often pol-
luted by the discharges from the mines and manufactories, to £800,000 stg.,
or 14,000,000 per amiimi ; while the money value of the salmon fisheries of
Canada was, in 1805, on the authority of Commander Fortin, only -"^28,000,
and of Nova Hcotia probably §40,000. This is a lamental)le contrast, when wg
consider the superiority of tb" British Provinces in their posses.-ion of the
most magnificent salmon streams that exist in any country in lue wdsIiI. No
later than 1815, 800 tierces of salmon were taken every year in tliC ,-! reams of
one river in Nova Scotia. Salmon then swarmed so thickly in rivers of these
Provinces, that are now nearly deserted, tliat they were thrown out with tiio
shovel, and even with the bn.!>d ; but the ignorant destructiveness of one class,
and the selfish cupidity of another, tlie erection of mill-dams without fish-ways,
the system of choking the streams with saw-dust and refuse h-om the mills, of
spearing by torehliglit, of over-netting, and fishing out of season, have pro-
duced their inevitable results.

5. Fish-ladders. — As to fish-ladders, Mr. Buckland has remarked concern-
ing the United Kingdom : "The great advantage of these salmon-ladders is,
that they have overcome the great uitficulty which formerly existed, namely,
the non-interference with the mill-jtower of the country, and at the same lime
allowing the salmon to pass from the upper to ihe lower parts of the river.'"'
We have not yet overcome this difiiculty in Nova Scotia. There still exists,
and will continue for some time to embarrass our legislation, a contest in nuniy
localities between the mill interest and the conijdete and successful restoration
of our valuable rivers. It has been already remarked, that intelligent men
who reside in our northern counties ailirm that the ai)j)lication of the law to
those rivers, ov/ing to the inecjuality in tlie volume of water at various inter-
vals, would compel them to stop their mills wholly. On the Atlantic coast,
too, there are said to be some impiacticable localities. Ilence the importance
of an efiicient Inspector, who coulci examine these i)laces, and report to the
proper authorities. It would be iiniiolitic to stir uj) a war between fisb and
lumber, l)ccause both are necessary ; we must build ships and houses, anil vo
must obtain fish in plenty. We can do both.

G. Propatjation of Fiah. — Artificial })ropagation, in the estimation of many,
is not re(]»iired in the present condition of our fisheries. The unusual abun-
dance of salmon the present season, owing, it is belie ed, mainly to the exces-
sive wintc'-''^ rain that has swelled our rivers, will scom jo sirriigthen the pre-
judice on the side of the sufiicieni'y of natural inc'siase. The system of |»is-
ciculture, however, judiciously prosecuted, would overcome the fluctuation
which the luitural supjjly suffers in suecessi\e years. It would render our
annual rcturus a certain and an increasing quantity ; never, however, pro-

I

MMMilllMlllll

: -^V W

^lai'ies and
i'iv(3iition.

'dSt fifty

P'it of the

P'e to tlie

•^n-ihiition

'^'I'ies, Dot

'>ecjiuse
s seeking
'yiinety of

' ''1^^ the
'^icn pol-

^iiei-ies of

^vlioii wo
I of the
'■'•!. x\o
'earns of
of' tlicse

vidi the

iio class,

•^'i-ways,

JiilJs, of

ive pi'o-

'oiicern-
(loi\s is,

lajiioiy,
It' liino
river.'-

t'xists,

>rafion
t lueii
law- to
inter-
<;oast,
taneo
i the
and

:eos-

jii'G-

]ns-
ioii
nir
iro-

27

bably, to reach again the point where it was stipulated in the indentures of an
apprentice that he shoukl not be fed more than twice a week on sahnon. One
of the Reports of the Fisliery Protection Society indulges, however, in the
followinp; prediction : "The time will soon arrive when the brccdini:- of fish
will employ as much capital and labor as the breeding of stock ; when the
rivers of this Province will be estimated of more value than the lands they
drain, and be as jealously guarded from injury as the dykes that protect the
marshes of King's County."

7. Statistics. — It is quite impossible to ascertain the progress or decline of
the "River Fisheries from the annual statistics. Even if the Trade Returns
afforded a correct exhibit as to quantity, their arrangement is sucli that data
cannot be obtained concerning each description of fish — alewives being chissed
with herring, shad with mackerel and halibut, and salmon with tront. This is
an oversight that must be remedied, as each of the fisheries that are thus
grouped with otiicrs are of sufiicient importance to l)e kept apart. lint if tlnis
separated, we could not ascertain the catch of salmon, since a large jnoportion
of the export of salmon is previously imported from various local'ties in the
Gulf of St. Lawrence. The only data that a))j)roximate to accuracy are the
Census Returns. Taking the figures in the Census of 1H51, and conqtaring
with the Census of 1801, we find the following result: — Salmon cured in 18;")!,
1GG9 barrels ; in 1801, 2481 barrels, and 2788 smoked salmon. Shad cured
in 1851, 8o3G barrels ; in 1801, 7040 barrels. Alewives cured in 18:)1, AiJllJ
barrels ; in 1801, 12,-50') barrels. With respect to salmon and shad, the fore-
going figures prove no more than that we have held our own ; because the home
consumption has decreased, as it has been found profitable to export them.
With alewives, the statistics afford a more correct estimate, because they have
never been largely consumed at home.

Exportation. — The statistics of exportation, as regards salmon, may serve to
show the general decrease in the salmon fisheries of ti o Britlsli Provinces, as
all the salmon exported from Nova Scotia that are not laken in its own rivers
arc captured in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence or the Newfoundland and Labrador
coast. In 1800 the vahu; of our total export of salmon was estimated at
.f90,184 ; with slight variations, it decreased in 1805 to *i)2,117. From 1800
to 1805, the value of the exports declined about ■'5^84,000. But whil*! salmon
to tiiO amount of •'^02,117 were exported in 1805, the imports amounted to
'1<42,588 ; estimating, tliercfore, their value as 820 to each barrel, it wonhl make
the cvport of salmon cauglit in Nova Scotia to be 1,000 barrels — about one-half
the whole quantity cured. Large numbers of salmon ar(^ exported to the
United States, fresh, jiacked in ice ; and many thousands of pounds are [)ut up
in tin cases, and exported under the name of " preserved salmon." The
quantity of shad and alewives cxjjorted cannot be arrived at, for the reason
already stated.

CONCLUSION.

No country in the world, with the excei)tion of Scotland, possesses so many
lino salmon streams as does Nova Scotia ; and the salmon amongst fishes is as
the ruby or the diamond an 'xsl the gems ; every well-inhabited salmon sti'cam
is a true Golconda. Unlike tne mine, you cannot, even by countless drains
upon it, if the laws of nature bo observed, exhaust its riches.

28

i.

Under proper management there is not a stream in the Province which might
not, and would not, yield many tons of sahnon and sea trout every year, and
this not for a time, but for all time. A ton of sahnon is worth upon an average,
$300, and tlic river yield of this noble fisli might, in the rivers of Nova Scotia
alone, be equal to at least f 100,000 per arnuim. Nor would this be the only
gain ; the number along our coasts and estuaries would go on increasing in the
same proportion. It is easy to state this truth, it is easy also to prove it, both
from facts and experience ; but the grand difficulty is to make people in gene-
ral feel it, and act accordingly. " One can easily understand," writes a news-
paper correspondent, " what would soon be the result, were every cow and calf
in the country shot down, eitlicr for their slcin or out of pure love of destruc-
tion, whenever one or the other could be got at. The supply of beef would
speedily come to an end, and everybody would be ready to execrate the wick-
edness and folly that brought about so great a calamity. But in reality is the
folly or the crime less because tl;e creature destroyed lives in the water instead
of ujjou the lor.i ? A dozen average salmon will bring as much money as an
average cow, w '1 '^ ' ; difference, that the feed of the former costs nothing,
while that of the i it ' : comes to i fair sum of money every year. There is not
a river in Nova ScoLi>: \vhich, by getting moderately fair play, would not yield
during the season at least 500 well grown fish, which would be equal in value
to about fifty cows, while the larger rivers would yield ten times the quantity.
We can calculate the loss, and can show it upon paper, but still, unless we can
bring home in some shape or other the reality of it to the understandings of the
dwellers by these rivers, they will be likely to pay little attention to it,"

From the prominence wliich is given to the interest of the Fisheries in the
constitution of the Executive functions of the first Privy Council of the
Dominion, it is confidently hoped that a now impulse will be given to the
protection and development of the River Fisheries of British North America.

The increased facilities for transport which the Intercolonial Railway will
secure for the Maritime Provinces must largely assist in the commercial de-
velopment of the River Fisheries. Salmon can be ])ropagated and taken in
Nova Scotia with less labor and expense than in any of the Provinces, and in
their fresh state will find a ready market from Montreal to Detroit, and even be-
yond, while cured salmon will find their way to profitable markets in the far west.

Wlicther the rivers of Nova Scotia are to become an increasing source of
piscatory wealth, or are to ue deserted by its finny inhabitants, so that the pre-
sence of tlie salmon, the trout, the shad, and the alewife in countless numbers,
will constitute only tales of past times, will be rendered no longer doubtful, if
there be iiuited the intelligent co-operacion of the people throughout the coun-
ties with the power that devises the necessary laws for the conservation of the
fisheries. Tne present is a crisis in the history of the River Fisheries of Brit-
ish North America. If they are allowed to enjoy means and efforts for their
preservation that are periodical only, revival must soon yield to retrogressione
but if wise and energetic measures are adopted by Parliament, commensurat ;
with their importance as a source of national wealth, nothing that has been
predicted concerning their cumulative fertility can possibly be unfulfilled.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your very obedient servant,

Halifax, N. S., Can.,

5th November, 186T.

T. F. KNIGHT.

APPENDIX.

No. 1.

Statistical Table, from Census Returns of 1867, in the order of Counties
according to value of fish cavr/ht and cured, in that year.

COUNTIES,

Vessels employed in the
Fisheries.

No.

Halifax

Guysborough
Richmond . .
Lunenburg .
Shelburne . .
Yarmouth. . .

Dighy

Cape Breton
Inverness . . .

Queens

Victoria. . . .
Annapolis . .
Antigonish. .

Kings

Pictou

Colcliester . .
Cumberland.
Hants

ITo

85

509

l;i8

96

83

56

23

38

55

3

3

3

6

2

4
1

Men.

887

340

587

1380

617

615

302

137

215

452

13

9

17

28

17

13
4

T)633

Itoats en;;aped in the
Fisheries.

Nets and
Seines.

No,

1932

1080

884

969

780

266

295

679

424

278

413

184

213

uO

81

118

89

81

8816"

Men.

1479

631

1120

1107

963

236

405

598

716

342

320

109

280

43

17

163

85

75

8689

12006

7991

5424

3038

3717

1612

523

3423

1267

674

1398

507

990

141

422

155

495

182

43965

Note. — Tho number of men returned iis('ii(,'!if:ej in tlie Ustieries dues not include the large portion uf tlio
population residing on the coast who unite i'arniing with the occupation of tishing.

No. 2.

Tahle of Annual Exports of Fish and Fish Oil from the Province of Nova Scotia^
to all Countries, from 1853 to 1866 — value in dollars.

Q reat i

«. N.A.

British West 1

Other

Year.

Britain.

Colonies.

324,935

Indies.

United Suites.

Countries.

292,415

loTAL.

1853

15,260

717,686

589,831

1,940,127

1854

39,360

306,580

999,335

822,580

435,335

2,603,190

1855

11,730

197,725

936,625

1,308,455

550,465

3,005,000

1856

19,295

289,325

940,650

1,111,105

689,635

3,050,010

1857*

Trade Re

turns not

published in

1857.

1858

39,225

123,105

843,080

1,054,800

803,950

2,864,160

1859

4,295

160,975

930,525

1,249,730

843,340

3,188,865

1860

13,847

196,498

1,065,175

1,152,401

666,578

3,094.499

1861

2,390,122

1862

2,335,608

1863

24,146

212,643

1,010,121

508,744

635,013

2,390,667

1864

29,000

188,374

1,033,131

1,137,595

657,342

3,045,442

1865

99,580

184,958

1,160,610

1,471,661

560,372

3,476,461

1866

29,747

170,018

1,100,733

1,429,848

647,288

3,378,766

* The fiscal year changed to 30th September in each year to 30th September in following year.

30

CO

k;

^

I

•^ 00

1^) CO
^ig 00

'^.S

's

»<?

*fe.

l-C Oi O O

OOCiOIOOh-ClrHO

rH (M O T-(

O t^ Oi rH O --O -f O O

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31

No. 4.
Report of Council of tht Inland Fisheries and Game Preservation Society, 180G.

St. Margaret's Baij. — Tlio warden foi- ^rarj^arci's Ray District lias been very
energetic during the j)ast season, and rejiorts all the rivers clear, with the
exception of Ingrahani's Riv(.'r, wiieie still, as ibrnierly, great opposition is
shewn to the enforcement of the law. Your connaittee press the most serious
attention of the society to this fact, wiii a view of string(Mit measures being
adoj)t<Ml next season. Few, if any, fish have l»cen taken by fishermen on the
river during the past season.

The Indian river shewed a great improvomont on past years as regards sport.

Owing to a stopi)age at Uhino's Mill, the Council have caused a rock to be
blasted to create a further cnlai'gement of the channel, and have further closed
two tril)utary brooks that tliverge from the main stream, to increase the supply
of water.

Ead lUver, Chester Baj/. — The Council have here rendered the Grand Falls
practicaltle for salmon, thcrel»y opening up tiie whole of the upper waters of
the river. The obstacle now removed was situated about 1^ miles from the
salt water, and we are ghul to report that fish were ol)scrved ascending the fulls
immediately after the alteration was affected.

SackviUe Iliver. — The Secretary was autliorized to cITect an opening in the
dam at this river, but owing to the nnusnally high freshets which jirevailed,
nothing could at that time be effected to remedy the evil. In the ensuing
spring it is intended to remove .he olistruction.

Again, with regard to this river, the Council licg to report that Messrs. Piers
and iJlaiklock, having ol»tained inlbrmation that nets were illegally set across
the river above the dam, proceeded to the spot and ctTected a seizure of a net
which was found set totally across the stream. From information received, it
was understood l)y these gentlemen that numerous other instances of a similar
nature were of frequent occurence, tlie nets being set every evening at dusk,
and taken up every morning. The Council beg further to report that tho
overseer, appointed by the Sessions for this river, stated that he had never been
sworn in, and was conse(picntly an inefiicient officer.

jShuhenacadie River. — ^Ir. Veitirs report on this river cxhil)its this line stream
in a most lamentalde condition, the fishways at the various locks being utterly
iinserviecablc, and the ])assage of salmon, bass and gaspcreaux to Grand Lake
com[)letely stopped. The most complete obstructions to their accent apj)car to
be at Home's fjock, where the (ish have been netted and speared in prodigious
quantities throughout the season. The gaspereaux were seen in tlie water in
millions, and on the banks, dead and dying, in their attempts to proceed to tho
sjiawning ground. Several nets were seized by Mr. King, a very efficient agent
of the Society, in the river during the season, broug' t into town, and are hovt
in possession of the Society.

Sheet Ilarhor, East Branch.— T\w fishway placed in the river by Mr. Chis-
holm some four years since, ac-ordiiig to tlie plan then required by the Go-
vernment, not having been found effectual, Mr. Veith proceeded this year to
inspect the same, and found that the new li^h-laddcr would not answer in this
particular case, owing to the lu'ight of the dam, but recommended that advan-
tage be taken of the natural conformation of the bank to make a practical)le
ascent for fish, in carrying out which scheme both the owners and the Society
agree to join.

Little Salmon River, Preston.— Tho Society is happy to state that a great

32

improvement has taken place in Little Salmon River, owing to the mill-dam
having been carried away. Numbers of fish were observed by one of the
Council on tlie spawning grounds of this river.

Petpeswick River still remains totally obstructed, according to the warden's
report.

Nine Mile River. — Salmon have ascended, this year, in unusual quantities,
and have been seen, in the fall, endeavoring to force their way up to McKen-
zie's Brook, to Governor's Lake. Formerly they were enabled to ascend the
brook, which is now totally obstructed by fallen timber. The Council beg to
state that a small outlay would effect the necessary clearance.

In conclusion, your committee beg to state their conviction that, although
the Society has not been idle, but little can be effected in carrying out a i)roper
supervision of the Liland Fisheries, unless an independent and salaried officer
be appointed by the Provincial (Government, as in Canada.

The difficulties of prosecution, owing to the local partialities of both wit-
nesses and magistrates, would then be overcome, whilst the judgment and ad-
vice of such an executive, with regard to the placing of efficient fish-ladders,
under the various peculiarities of river banks and mill-dams, would be con-
sidered decisive in overcoming all obstructions.

No. 5.

Extract from Report of Fisheries Committee of House of Assembly, 18(37.

The committee on the subject of the fisheries beg to report as follows:

They have had before tliem various petitions asking for further amendments
in the law relative to the protection of the river fisheries.

The committee regret having to report that, notwithstanding the successive
legislation of many years on this important subject, tiie wanton and unwise
destruction of the various kinds of fish frequenting the rivers of this Province,
has hitherto been but little or none checked.

The adoption of a particular kind of ladder in the year I860, to afford a
passage for salmon and othor valuable fish over mill-dams, has not been at-
tended with the desired and anticipated results. Owing to the peculiarities of
the diffierent rivers and dams, it is quite evident that no one particular kind of
fish-way will suit each. Feeling the great importance to the present, and par-
ticularly to the future interest of this province, of the successful protection of
our river fisheries, upon which the continuance and prosperity of our deep sea
fisheries largely depend, the committee have invited from " the Inland Fisheries
and Game Protection Society," and from other sources whence useful informa-
tion might likely be obtained, such suggestions as might lead to more success-
ful legislation on this subject. They have decided that the want of success in
the efforts hitherto made by the legislature to protect these nurseries of one of
the first resources of the province, is wot so much attributable to defective
legislation as to failure on the part of those entrusted with carrying such legis-
lation into effec": to do their duty.

While many of the Courts of Sessions never fail to make due provision and
regulations as required by law for the protection of the river fisheries, there are
different counties in which little or no interest is taken '^^ the subject, and con-
sequently the law remains inoperative iu those counties. In order, therefore,

i

Ufejli

33

m
he

I'S

I

to obviate the two main ami perhaps only dilTieultios that have liithorto haflleil
tlie intention of the legisUituro to protect these lisiieries, viz., in the first place
tlic v.'ant of such means of alfordinu' practicahle (i>h passages over the various
mill-dams and other artificial ohstructions, according to the jjcculiarities of
such ohstructions, without damage to private interests; and in the second
place, tlio indilference and omission on the part of many of our Courts of Ses-
sions to put the law into efrective operation, the committee recommend the
appointment of a chief inspector of tlu; river iislieries of the province, whose
duty it shall be to from time to time examine the ditlerent rivers frequented by
fish, and see that the best means for the jirotection of sucli fish arc adopted,
and also to see that none of tiie Courts of Sessions omit to make the necessary
provisions and regulations ; and to oiler them suggestions on the subject.

^ ^ '.^ ^ '-^ "Jft ^

The subject of tlic obstruction of the passage of fish in the Shubenacadie
River, by the canal locks thereon, wliich was on former occasions under the
consideration of the committee, was again brought luider their consideration,
by the petition of a number of the inliabitaiits of the County of Hants. The
connuitteo beg to recounnend the passage of a law [)roviding for tlie removal
of these ohstructions.

They have also considered the petitic^n of William Krosser, of Kemptville, in
the County of Yarmouth, asking to be reimbui-sed in the amount of certain
expenses to which he had betni sulijected in connection with prosecutions iu
which lie was engaged, as one of the wardens of river fisheries of that county ;
and recommend that, if the Court of Sessions of said County do not, at its
next sitting, ])rovide for such reiniliursement, the Judge presiding at the next
term of the Supreme Court for that county, after such sitting of the Court of
Sessions, do amerce the county in such sum as said Judge may consider the
said William Krosser entitled to.

The committee cannot close their report without expressing their admiration
of the disinterested and useful efforts, involving much outlay of both time and
money, on the part of the association in this Province called "The Inland
Fisheries and Game Protection Society," in carrying out the laudalilc objects of
the society : aud from whom, as alreaily stated., valuable suggestions have been
received by this committee.

They beg also to acknowledge the valualile services rendered the fishing
interests of this Province i)y Mr. T. F. Knight, in the publication, within the
last year, of his two al)le pamphlets on the Fishes and Fisheries of Nova Scotia.
The clear and coni[)rehcnsive description t\irnished Ijy Mr. Knight, of the nature,
localities, and extent of our varied Iislieries, must lead to the awakening, both
at home and al)r()ad, of a more accurate knowledge of, and active interest in
this vast field of the natural resources of this Province.