DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

APPENDIX A.
REPORT BY LIEUT. GORDON, R. N., IN COMMAND OF THE FISHERIES
PROTECTION SERVICE FOR THE YEAR 1888.
THE OBSERVATORY, TORONTO, 17th, December 1888.
The lion. C. H. TtTPPER,
Minister of Marine and Fisheries.
Sia,—I beg to report on the work of the Fisheries Protection Service under my
command during the past summer as follows :—
The vessels forming the fleet were: The steamship "Acadia," under my own
command; steamship "La Canadienne," Commander Wakeham; the schooners
"Vigilant," Capt. Lorway; the "Tupper," Capt. Quigley; the "Advance," Capt.
Knowlton; the "Critic," Capt. MeLaren; the "Brydges," Capt. Pouliot; the
steamer "Dream," Capt. Pratt.
With the exception of the "Canadienne," which under Commander Wakeham,
was as usual engaged in the protection of the Gulf Fisheries on the Quebec shores,
and the "Dream" which remained in the Bay of F'undy all the season; the fleet was
employed in the protection of the mackerel fishery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
The only seizure made during the season was that of an open sioop rigged boat,
fifteen feet long, the owner of which pleaded guilty to fishing within the limit. This
boat was seized by Capt. Pratt, of the "Dream," one mile southeast from Split Rock,
Campobello, N.B.
The officeis and men of the several vessels performed their duty most satis
factorily, the commanding officers especially exhibiting both zeal and discretion;
and notwithstanding the rigid enforcement of the law, the greatest good feeling
prevailed between my officers and the masters of U.S. fishing vessels, who now, that
they understar.d the requirements of our law, willingly comply with all regulations.
It would add greatly to the convenience ot foreign fishing vessels if an officer
of the Customs seivice was stationed at Burnt Church, N. B. The reports of vesssel
in Miramichi Bay are now taken by the cutter, thus limiting her usefulness as a
cruiser. The U S. mackerel fleet in Canadian waters this year consisted of eighty
three vessels. One of these vessels the "Mathew B. Murray" was lost off the Cape
Breton coast in November. The reports received from these vessels show that their
catch amounted to a little over ten thousand barrels, and as the total catch by the
New England fleet this year was forty thousand barrels, one-fourth of the catch
was taken north of Cape Sable, ISIS.
It is impossible yet to state what the catch by Canadians has been, but it will be
far below the average of recent years, probably not exceeding 40 per cent. of last
year's catch, though the high prices obtained compensate for the deficiency to a
great extent. Much of the Gulf boat catch was exported fresh, a method of dispos.
ing of the fish which is very advautageous to our boat fishermen, who are not as a
rule such good packers and curers as the vessel men.
MOVEMENTS OP THE MACKEREL.
The mackerel appeared on the Nova Scotia coast early in June. They were
accompanied by a Jarge fleet of United States seiners harassing them and thus pro.
venting their liugering on the coast. Some large catches were made off Ohedabucto
Bay and the fish were followed round Scatterie to Cape North where they were lost
sight of. The Bradelle and Orphan Banks were then searched and some vessels
went to the Labrador, but the fish did not show up again in any quantity till late in
July, when for a short time they schooled freely between Eseuminac and North
Point, some fair catches being then made. During the rest of the season the fish