DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

102
Overseer Goodwin, of Bay Verte and Sackville District, reports an increased
catch of alewives, smelts and lobsters, but the shad fishery was very poor, the result,
he thinks, of excessive fishing for the last thirty years. Mackerel fishing was also a
failure in Bay Verte. A few appeared in July and August, but they would not take
bait as in former years. Herring were abundant as usual in this bay, and an average
catch was made for home use.
Overseer Gorrnier, of Dorchester District, again reports a very poor catch of
shad, which he attributes to sawdust; but the cause of the scarcity bore is, no doubt,
the same that has reduced the catch of shad everywhere in the Bay of F'undy—over.
fishing. Mr. Cormier again urges that fishing should not commence before the 20th
June; that no boat should carry more than 200 fathcms of net, and that a weekly
close time, from Friday night until Monday morning, should be enforced by Order
in Council, as the fisherrr;en generally wish these changes, as none but themselves
can be affected, and as they must have a good effect on the fishery, I can only express
regret that these measures, recommended and urged in my iast four annual
reports, have not been adopted, as every year shows the shad fishery to be getting
worse, these or some better means must be taken to prevent the speedy collapse of
this once important industry. There is the more need of prompt action, as this is
the only fishery now left at the head of Bay of Fundy, in this Province, and its col.-
lapse will be a most serious matter for a large population in both Provthces.
Overseer Stewart, of Albert County, reports a poor catch of fish, which he at.
tributes to a declining interest in fishing. avocations in that agricultural and milling
county, and to the injurious effects of sawdust on the fish that frequent the bay and
streams. The fish.ways have been kept open and in repair, but it is doubtful if any
salmon ever go through them.
VICTORIA COUNTY.
Overseer Ryan, of Grand Falls district, makes the following report :—" I am
sorry to say the result of the year's business is not very satisfactory on the Tobique,
owing to the river having been leased by the Provincial Government and not
properly protected. The parties claiming to have charge undertook to frighten the
aettlers by putting up notices along the iiver forbidding fishing. All this had the
reverse of the desired effect, atd brought out spearing implements that had not been
used for years. The tesult was a most deplorable tragedy, by which an unoffending
and estimable lady was killed by a rifle bullet. The run of salmon was very good,
even better than last year, and as there we e no guardians on the river, of course
illegal fishing was done to a large extent, not only by the settlers and Indians, but by
the guides and employes of excuIsionist4 who visit the river ostensibly for fly-fishing.
lThe only mode by which this river can be protected is by employing special
guardians." As the greatest part of all the salmon that have reached their
apawning beds on the Tobique for many years have leen either killed by spears or
swept cif their "rids" to furnish eggs br the hatching house, there can be no
reasonable hope of any increase in the stock while these things are allowed, nor can
the settlers be expected to respect a law wbich the officers of the Department are
allowed to violate. For the slate of things that has continued on this river, I beg to
refer to ray general and special reports for the last twenty years.
CARLETON COUNTY.
Overseer Lindsay, of the IJpper Division, reports as follows :—" Salmon were in
all the pools in much larger numher than I have ever seen them, wit,h good prospects
of a further increase next season, and this is entirely the result of the protection
afforded by special guardians the last three years. The catch of salmon was
not large owing to two causes: first, the high state of water during the whole
angling season; second, the reduced number of anglers on the river since the New
Brunswick Railway, which owns the lands, charged anglers $2 per day for the
privilege of fishing their waters. The result, however, will be good, a a larger
number of fish will be left to spawn."