DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

95
in every report made since I have not failed to call attention to the inevitable effeet
of these bag-nets, unless restrained by judicious regulations. This fishery has gone
on without attention having been given to my repeated warnings, until the catch
has fallen from 6,484,145 pounds in 1886 to 3,149,468 pounds in 1888, a decrease of
nearly one-half in three years, with more nets and more men employed in the busi.-
ness; and yet you have been told by dealers and shippers, and you will be told the
-same again, that smelts are now more plentiful than ever they were, and that the
average size of the catch has increased. These things have recently been said in
the face of facts which prove "the exact opposite," and efforts are now being made
to relax the insufficient protection which the present regulations give to this vain.-
able fishery. In all the years that have passed since 1877, the markets have been
glutted, and fish which then brought fishermen 5 cents to 6 cents per lb., and ship—
pers 12 cents to 15 cents per lb., in American markets, are now being sold by fisher.-
men for an average price of 2 cents to 3 cents, and bringing shippers less than an
average of 4 cents per lb., while every year large quantities have been lost in New
Brunswick and "damped" in New York from the effects of soft weather. The inthcations
now are that the greatly reduced catch of last year will be still further re—
duced this year, for, while the weather has been farorable everywhere, fish have been
very scarce compared with former years. This fishery is, since the collapse of the
lobster fishery, the largest and most important now carried on in the northern
counties; indeed, since the collapse of the mackerel fishery, it is the largest in the
'whole Bay Ohaleur and Straits of Northumberland. How much longer it will Continue
to be a profitable industry depends entirely upon the measures now adopted to
prevent its exhaustion.
FROST-FISH AND FLOUNDERS.
While the demand for these fishes continues to increase at higher prices, the
-'supply, like that of smelts, is growing smaller. In 1886 the catch of frost-fish was
7 13,875 pounds; this year it is 174,95 pounds. The catch of flounders in 18s7
was 122,470 pounds; in 188 it fell to 83,650 pounds, and yet the demand for both
•was greater at higher prices. No more convincing proof can be offered, were such
necessary, of the destruction caused by bag-nets, than their effects on these fishes.
In 187d both were very plentiful. The complaint of fishermen was that they ob.-
'structed the catch of smelts. At that time vast quantities were wasted because n
market had been found for their disposal. Now that ample markets and remuner&-
tive prices are offered the supply is quite inadequate to the demand. This has been
The history of all our fisheries, and coming generations will lament the stupid and
wasteful ways of their progenitors.
TROUT.
It is quite impossible to get even an approximation to the quantity of trout
taken in the province. Only the quantity exported and that whicti comes to our
'local markets can be ascertained. But these form a very small part of the catch by
anglers and potfishers who frequent all our lakes and streams from spring to fall.
'-The quantity exported falls short of last year's figures by 18,000 pounds. The close
season should extend to 1st May, in order that fishing through the ice may be pre
vented.
HERRING.
Herring have been very plentiful all through the season, though the catch has
not exceeded that of last year. The demand for sardines has been dull, and but
15,963 hhds. were sold against 53,094 hhds. last year. The quantity pickled was
large, while that smoked was about the same. The quantity frozen was larger than
that taken last year, while the price was higher. St. Andrew's Bay was full of
herring all summer, but the limited demand for sardines was a great disappoint
ment to fishermen, Every year's eNperience shows the wisdom of strictly preventing
"torching." While this mode of fishing was allowed, herring were always