DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

141
APPENDIX No. 5.
QUEBEC.
REPORT OF THE FISHERY OFFICER IN CHARGE OF THE GOVERNMENT
VESSELJ "LA CANADIJtNNE," ENGAGED IN THE PROTECTION OF
THE GULF ST. LAWRENCE FISHERIES, FOR THE YEAR 1888.
GAS1E, QuE., 31st Deeember, 1888.
The Honorable CuARLE5 H. TUPPER,
Minister of Marine and Fisheries.
SIR,—I beg herewith to submit a report on the fisheries of the Gulf Division,
Province of Quebec, for the year 1888, along with synopses of the reports of local
officers. The return shows a slight increase in the aggregate catch, amounting
to $8,991.38.
The season of 1888 has been one of almost unprecedented severity, and although
the yield was slightly better than for the previous season, yet the catch has not been
an average one. Cod fishing only began towards the middle of June, and as is always
the case during rough weather, both fish and bait kept off shore.
SALMON.
The take of salmon was an average one, being 889 bris. salted and 445,107 lbs.
fresh, as compared with 770 bris. salted and 484,321 lbs. fresh in 1887; as has been
the case during recent years, the fishery was late in opening. Owing to the
freshets in the river, the nets in many localities could not be set before the first week
of June, and there is no doubt that before that date a large body of fish had passed
up the rivers. Had it not been for the abundance of the catch on the North Shore.
the showing for the salmon fishery would have been poor, as the returns from the
Ristigouche and New Richmond subdivisions were much below the average. By
xrnnties the yield for the past two seasons is as follows :—
— 1887. 1888. Decrease.
Bonaventure County.
8slmon, salted...... .. ...... Brig.
do fresh, in ice. Lbs.
Saguenay County.
Salmon, salted .. Bris.
do fresh, in ice Lbs.
-....,
203,772 140,563
I
46 38
114,932 108,866
63,209
8
6,076