DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

144
MACKEREL.
Mackerel failed all over the Gulf division, except at the Magdalen Islands,
where the take was better than it has been for sume years. Several cargoes were
shipped to Boston, US., and one of the shippers informed me that his cargo
fetched $22 per barrel; after deducting duty arid all other charges, this would
yield him at least $18 per barrel, clear.
A fleet of twenty sail of United States mackerel schooners visited Gaspé Bay on
the 4th of July, They had run over from the north side of Prince Edward Island in
search of mackerel; finding that none had been seen off the Gaspe coast, they re
turned south next day. I met them outside and accompanied them into the Basin,
when I boarded them all. Boarding statements were furnished to Captain Gordon,
by whom, no doubt, the returns will be forwarded.
HALIBUTS
The halibut fishery continues t&improve; 104,948 pounds having been taken
this summer, as against 81,347 pounds in 1887. As the facilities for shipping this.
fish fresh to market are developed, the catch will increase. At present our fishermen
do not go in for it as a distinct fishery, and nearly all the halibut taken is caught by
cod fishermen.
BAIT.
Bait fish were plentiful in the spring, but from July until the close of the season
all kinds of bait were more or less scarce. This was entirely due to stormy
weather, as it is a well-known tact that, when there is any continued swell on shore
the bait keeps off.
The fishery regulations were well observed; the general enforcement of the Sunday
close time was distasteful to most salmon net fishermen along the coast away
from the rivers, as they had never been compelled to tie up before, yet I know
of no instance in which the new regulation was intentionally disregarded.
I beg to append synopses of the reports of the local officers, together with the
usual statistics.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
WM. WAKEHAM,
O9Icer in command ot the Fishery Protection steamer "La Canadienne."
SYNOPSES OF REPORTS OF FISHERY OVERSEERS.
BISTIGOUCHE S IJB DIVISION.
Mr. Verge reports the quantity of salmon caught this season in the estuary of
the Ristigouche, as less than last year by 24,747 pounds, of which 5,133 pounds
are on the Quebec side of the bay.
He does not attribute this shortage in the catch to any failure of salmon, but to
delay in getting out the nets, and to their having been taken up uncommonly early,
especially in the lower part of the estuary.
The smelt fishery is not prosecuted with much vigor; those who have tried it
have not found out the grounds over which the smelt move during the legal time of
fishing. The ice also is a drawback during the fishing season as it moves from day to
day; when it takes permanently the best fishing time is over. Just now (18th
September) there is a fine run of smelt large and firm, but they are only taken with
hook and line. T1e Sunday close time was well observed.