DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

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The above remarks apply with equal force to the oyster fishery. It is to be
regretted that in spite of constant warnings, efficient measures are not adopted to
save our Canadian oysters, which are justly deemed the best in the world, from
future annihilation. That the present close time of three months arid a-half is
inefficient for practical purposes is evident; and until measures are adopted with
a view of putting a stop to raking during winter, the destruction and sale of undersized
oysters, the planting of exhausted beds, and a regular system of protection
stringently enforced, this fishery is also doomed to speedy ruin. On this point,
attention is called to the timely remarks made by Mr. Inspector Duvar, Appendix
No. 4, page 129.
MANITOBA AND NORTH-WEST TERRITORIES.
The more the country developes the greater extension tho fisheries of this
Province attain. The returns for 1888, show a total value of $180,677, being an
increase of $51,593 over 1887. This, of course, is exclusive of the consumption
by the Indian population, which may be fairly estimated at 1,500,000 pounds of
fish, and which, if added to the above figures would give an aggregate of all kinds
of fish of over 5,000,000 pounds.
The catch of whitefish was, on the whole, very satisfactory, yielding nearly
double the catch of last year. In other kinds of fish, such as pickerel, jackfish,
sturgeon, tullibees, &o., there is also a noticeable increase over the yield of 1887.
The various close seasons were efficiently enforced and general'y observed by
white fishermen; but complaints are made regarding the slaughter by Indians
who, under pretence of fishing for their own use during the breeding periods, deli—
berately violate the law by catching large quantities of fish at a time when others
are precluded from doing so, concealing them and subsequently selling them to
traders, thus defeating to a great extent the good accomplished by a stringent enforcement
of the regulations. Until Indian agents are sufficiently convinced of
the great injury such wanton abuses eventually entail upon Indians themselves so as
to advise the latter to comply with the spirit as well as with the letter of the law;
it is apprehended that very little good can be accomplished in the direction of
protecting the fisheries of Manitoba and the North-West Territories.