DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

94
This falling off in the catch in these counties has been steady and continuous ever
since bagnets were first used for catching smelts. Northumberland shows this
decrease in a very marked manner, because the greatest deBtruction of young bass
was done in the Miramichi River, between Middle Island and Newcastle. In the
year 176, when bag-nets were first used in that county, the catch of bass was
217,179 pounds. This year the catch was little more than one-.tenth, being only
23,077 pounds. I see no hope of any improvement in this fishery in these counties
as long as bag-nets are allowed where young bass congregate in the fall. On the
contrary, nothing can be more certain than the speedy extinction of the fishery. In
the St. John River counties, where bag-nets are unknown, and where the fish are
fairly protected, they are increasing.
SRAD.
The slight increase of 1,000 barrels that marked the catch of last year, has this
year given place to a decrease of 3,681 barrels, and yet the season was not unfavor—
able for fishing, and the demand, at enhanced prices, was beyond the supply. The
cause is very plain, and has been pointed out constantly in all my annual and special
reports for the last ten years, over-fishing and the want of a weekly close time
sufficient to enable fish to reach their spawning pla'3e8 and perform their procreative
functions. As long as these causes continue the catch will grow less, and if they
are not soon removed, this fishery also will cease to be a profitable occupation. As
this year was marked by an unusual run of shad in American rivers, it devolves
on those theorists who assert that the Bay of Fundy shad come from American rivers
to feed, after having spawned there, to explain how it is when shad are plentiful in
American waters we see no increase in our waters. The plain and simple fact is
that over-fishing has exhausted the stock once so plentiful in our waters, and no
improvement can be looked for by sensible men until the fish are protected and the
parents allowed to spawn. Fishermen at the head of the bay are asking for some
measures, but to apply those there and exempt the Harbor and River of St. John,
will do nopractical good, for all caught in the spring in estuary, harbor and river
are gravid fish, while those caught at the head of the bay are fish that have already
spawned and left the river to feed and recuperate.
ALEWIVES.
This fish shows a decrease of nearly 3,000 barrels from the small catch of last
year. As compared with 1s85 the falling off is over 8,000 barrels. The bulk of the
whole is made in the estuary and harbor of St. John when the gravid fish are ascending
the river to spawn, and as there is practically no close time except from daylight
to dark on Sunday, there can be no improvement looked for while the over-fishing
continues. The close time should be from Friday night to Ionday morning, and the
destruction of young fish by the harbor weirs, under control of the corporation of the
city, should be prevented, by making them cease fishing when the spent fish and
young fry are coming down the river.
SMELTS.
When, in 1876, this fishery commenced on a large scale with bag nets, I foresaw,
that, as in the New England States, the supply could not stand the enormous annual
drafts made on it, and that like causes would under the same circumstances, produce
like effects, at that time bag-nets had exhausted the smelts from New York to East-.
port, and their further use was prohibited. On the 6th January, 1871, I made a
comprehensive report to the then Minister, setting forth the facts, illustrated by'
specimens of the catch then being made in the counties of Gloitcester and North-.
umberland. This was printed as an appendix to my annual report for 1876, and
will be found in the blue-book for that year, Appendix No. 14, page 269, to which
I respectfully call attention in order that you may see the facts as they existed at
the commencement of this fishery, which all subsequent experience has confirmed.