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