DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

98
assistance from the hatching house, more nets and more men have this year takerr
but 1'1l,I1 pounds.
Overseer McPlierson, of the Coast division, reports as follows :—" The catch of
salmon, which is the main branch of fishing in my district, has been very far below
the avernge—bt'ing only about three-fifths of the usual catch. All the stands have
been licensed, aid the usual number of nets have been fished with a full complement
of men. This tailure may be partly explained by the prevalence of unfavorable
winds, which drove ashore a number of nets and no doubt caused the fish to keep off
shore in their course to the spawning grounds." This may explain the reduced
catch in Mr. McPherson's district on the coast; but this cause should have increased
the catch in the estuary and in the river; for if the fish came at all they must have
traversed both these waters, no matter how they approaeh€d them. The quantity of
lobsters taken is again less than last year's catch, which he thinks was caused by the
shorter time during which the traps were fished. it is worthy of note that neither
fishermen, dealers, nor even the officers ever account for a poor catch by the failing
upp1y. Any other cause than this is always asigiied for the decreased supply, for
none will admit the possibility of exhausting the fishery, no matter how clearly the
facts show that this is beng done very rapidly.
GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
Overseer Hickson reports as follows :—" The catch of salmon was fair; in the
upper district rather better than last year, and on the whole fishermen are satisfied
with the season's work. The lobster fishery continues to get worse. Pish are getting
smaller and scarcer all the time, but the shortened season, no doubt, reduced the
catch in this district. Mackerel have almost deserted our bay, formerly the great
rendezvous for the spawning fish. Very few were taken. One trap took about enough
to pay expenses. A schooner fitted out in Bathurst for deep sea fishing got only
twenty barrels the whole season, and lost her owners $,5OO. Herring has not given
an average catch, and those engaged in cod fishing have suffered loss from continued
wet weather during the latter part of the summer, which made it very difficult, in
some cases impossible, to dry their fish, much of which was consequently spoiLt.'
'Mr. Hickson says he has great difficulty in enforcing the Smelt Regulations, as fisher—
men and dealers evade the law in every possible way.
Overseer Haché, of Upper Caraquet, reports a fair catch of lobsters, for the single
factory that operated in his district, but a very large decrease in the quantity of
oysters raked. He also complains of the difficulty he has in enforcing the Smelt
Regulations or preventing illegal fish from being exported by railway.
Overseer Cormier, of Lower Caraquet, reports a reduced catch of herring, mackerel
and lobsters; owing to the scarcity of these fish. The catch of cod was good; but con.
tinued wet weather in summer and fall was very unfavorable for curing, and some
loss was experienced from this cause.
Overseer Ache, of Shippegan, reports a fair catch of salmon; but a total failure
in mackerel, which did not come in shore all summer. In spring herring were plenti.
liii, but in fall scarce, and only a small catch sufficient for home use was made. Cod.
were abundant; but unfavorable weather made the catch shorter than last year.
Prices, however, were better and fishermen did a fair season's work. The catch of
smelt was less than last year, while that of lobsters was better.
Overseer Boyd, of Miscou, reports that smelt fishing has greatly increased since
the Caraquet Railway has been extended to Shippegan. Mackerel fishing was very
poor, and the catch of cod and herring was much less than that of last year. Out of
eleven lobster factories in operation last season, only six were opened this year, and
consequently these found less difficulty in getting fish to keep runing on full time,,
and more cans were put up in less time than in former years.
I have no detailed reports from Overseer W. C. Robichaud, of Pokemouche, nor
from Olivier Bobichaud, of Tracadie, both being new officers, but from their letters I
learn that in both districts a fair average catch of fish has been made. Since thesmelt
business opened this season, great irregularities in both places have prevailed,