DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

101
Overseer Gtuimond, of St. Louis district, reports a decrease of nearly 50 per cent.
in the salmon catch, which he attributes to rough and uifavorable weather in June.
Mackerel fishery was a total failure as the fish did not come inshore. Herring were
plentiful and fishermen caught all they had the means of curing. Cod fishing gave
about an average catch. Bass have become so scarce that the fishery is not worth
pursuing. The catch of smelts was less than that of last year. but none were lost
from soft weather, and fishermen did a better business. Lobsters were fairly numerous
early in the sesson, but got so scarce in July that factories could not work full time.
Overseer Girouarcl, of Buctouche district, reports a very small catch of mackerel
and cod. Herring were plentiful, and the usual catch for home consumption was made.
Bass are no longer fished, and for all practical purposes, are now nearly extinct
in Buctouche River. The catch of smelts, though less than in past years, was still
large. Lobsters were plentiful on this part of the coast, and the catch, both in quantity
and quality, was better than usual, averaging about five and a-half to the can,
Only five factories operated. but these worked full time during the whole season,
Oysters are now so scarce that the fishery no longer pays those who formerly pursued
it for a livelihood.
Overseer Cormier, of Oocagne district, says :—Tne catch of herring this year has
been very poor in comparison with other years. The ice remained late on our
ehores, and fish did not strike in as usual. The catch of mackerel was also very
small. Smelts were abundant, but not so many nets were fished in consequence of
the increased license fee. Oysters have almost ceased to pay for raking; but lobsters
were plentiful, of good size, and the factories that were in operation did a good
business.
Overseer LeBlanc, of Legerville, at the head of Canaan River, continues to do
good service in preventing the destruction of trmit in the lakes and streams in that
part of the county. The extension of the close season from January to April baa
prevented winter fishing through the ice, which in past years has done so much to
reduce the stock of this fish in all our waters.
WESTMORELAND AND ALBERT.
Overseer Deacon, of Moncton, Shediac and Tormentine district, reports as follows:
The lobster business, though the largest fishing industry in this county, has shrunk
into small propordons, as compared with former years. Only 13 factories were in
operation -9 less than last year. The returns show a decrease of 209,904 pounds
from last year's catch, the cause of which is the shortness of the fishing season under
the new regulations. Tue factories commenced work about 5th June and closed 15th
July, deducting '4 days they could not fish on account of bad weather and 7 Sundays,
left them (lily 20 days to work. Ice in the straits will not permit traps to be set
sooner. Some of our smaller packers recommenced business in August, and carried it
on in private dwellings, old mills, shanties on the shore and in the woods. With the
assistance of Overseer Goodwin I succeeded in ferreting them all out, and the fines
imposed will, I hope, prevent any repetition of this illegal work, if the present un
equal reg&ations are continued. Herring were very plentiful in the spring and
larger catches than usual were made. Bass and trout are caught in considerable
quantities, but these are all used for domestic consumption. The mackerel fishery
has again failed—very few have been caught. The schools did not come inshore
as usual, and those that were seen would not take bait as formerly, but on the least
alarm struck down and disappeared in deep water. I have no doubt that the use of
purse seines has caused this change in the habits of the fish, and I am convinced
their continued use in our waters will Boon destroy this fishery, once the most important
and valuable on our coast. Smelt fishing was very poor last winter. The
only reason I can give is the failing supply caused by past excessive fishing. In
1887 tbe catch in my district was 618,070 lbs.; this year it has fallen to 60,900 lbs.,
a decrease of 617,170 lbs. Thus are going all our fisheries, and I suppose they will
continue to go until in the near future, we will awake to the fact that our best and
most valuable resource is gone."