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26<br />
the returns from which I have obtained these facts show only the catch taken during<br />
the lawful fishing season and to this must be added the large increase in the late fall<br />
run of fish entering our rivers and which can safely be put at 50 per cent.<br />
"Inspector Rogers, in his report for 1887, shows this increase in the Wallace<br />
River to be from 800 to 1,000 salmon, and we can fairly infer that the increase in<br />
the other rivers has been correspondingly great."<br />
"In examining the effects of this work upon the salmon fisheries of the whole<br />
Province of Nova Scotia it will be found thatjesults equally favorable with those in<br />
the localities I have referred to have been obtained. By referring to the statistics<br />
furnished your Department it will be seen that the average catch per year for the<br />
five years from 1875 to r879, was about 12 per cent, less than the average for the<br />
preceding five years from 1870 to 1874 inclusive. The catch during those periods<br />
fluctuated to a considerable extent, but the tendency was downward over the whole<br />
period and continued in this direction until 1881 when the returns show a falling off<br />
as compared with 1874) of 515,000 pounds, or a decrease of 65 per cent. Considering<br />
the condition of this fishery in 881 and noting its annual decline previous to this<br />
date, the conclusion would be reasonably come to, that the total exhaustion of this<br />
wealth was at that period but a question of time and that this fishery would have<br />
soon been a thing of the past. Fortunately, however, the results of artificial breeding<br />
instituted in 1816 were at hand, and in 1882 a most marked increase was<br />
obtained, being 300,000 pounds, and the continual increase from that 'late shows this<br />
not to have been the result of vccident or the existence of more favorable natural<br />
conditions, bu t that of some well advised and determined effort towards the attain.<br />
ment of the desired olject.<br />
"As stated above, this increase amounted to in 1887 over 500,000 pounds, representing<br />
a money value of $100,000, towards the production of which your Department<br />
expended on fish breeding from 1876 to 1881, a sum not exceeding $16,000, or<br />
a return of over $6 fOr each $1 expended, allowing a reduction of 50 per cent. as<br />
before, we still have $3 for the investment of $1.<br />
"In all the above calculations which have been made in reference to the condition<br />
of the salmon fisheries as compared with that of 1881, it will be noticed that<br />
credit only has been taken for the increase shown to have taken place in 1887 over<br />
1881, and its money value pointed out. Now as the increase commenced in 1882 and<br />
continued with some fiuctations up to 1887, the increase of each year over the pro..<br />
ceding one, should be taken into account and added to the profits derived from fish<br />
culture. Taking the average of years 180 and 1881 when, as has been shown, this<br />
fishery had been reduced 60 per cent. from the catch of 1870, it would be only fair<br />
to claim that this was about the yearly value of the fishery then, and again assuming<br />
that this average would have been maintained up to 1887, the total catch<br />
for the six years from 1882 to 187, inclusive, would have been 2,000,000 pounds,<br />
while our returns show it to have actually been over 4,000,000 pounds, or an aggregate<br />
increase of 2,000,000 pounds, representing an enhanced money value of<br />
$400,000. Giving fish breeding credit for 50 per cent. of this increase, we have a<br />
gross return of $200,000 for the expenditure of $16,000."<br />
"Reviewing the facts which have here been given, the conviction must prevail<br />
that some cause, other than nature's, has been instrumental in bringing about this<br />
very promising condition of the salmon fisheries in Nova Scotia.<br />
THE NATURAL REPRODUCTION OP SALMON LESSENED FROM VARIOUS CAU5E5<br />
As to the present condition of the rivers in this Province it will be borne out by<br />
all who are thoroughly acquainted with them, and have had opportunities for comparing<br />
their present with their past condition by saying that they do not offer any<br />
better facilities for the natural reproduction of salmon at this date than were found<br />
in 1870; the same gradual changes in the physical condition of the country are and<br />
have been taking place. Dams and other obstructions to the entrance of the breeding<br />
fish to the rivers are rather increasing than otherwise; poaching and slaughtering
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