DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

20
Oorresp3ndent mailed me a daily post card, giving reports on all mattors pertaining to
fisheries, and if no change occurred from last report, the card is mailed all the
same, stating such to be the case. The cost of the serviee was simply the post cards,
a package of which was sent to each correspondent.
In the United States the private enterprise of those interested in fisheries, has organized
a bureau,for collecting and disseminating information regarding the fisheries,
but this being a private agency, the reports are only given to subscribers and correspondents,
The masters of United States vessels fishing off our coasts, frequently
avail themselves of the bureau reports, either by telegraphing to Boston, or by
vetting from the correspondent at the port in which they are a copy of the report last
issued.
The cost of the extension of the system, which I adopted locally last season,so a
to cover the Atlantic coasts of Canada, would be quite trifling, whilst the direct
benefit to the fishermen, would be of immediate and great value. I would respectfully
suggest, that the system be given a trial next season, the returns to be received
and collected at Halifax. As an instance of the advantage to fishermen incident to the
establishment of the bureau, take the case of a banking schooner arriving in Canso
for bait; at present it is quite a common occurrence for a master to telegraph to
half a dozen places and still be in doubt where he can best go for bait, Under the
bureau system, he would get reliable information immediately from Halifax. Much
valuable information would always be available as to the movements of the mackerel
and herring, and as to the points where recent catches had been made on the banks.
But the great and ultimate benefit, of the establishment of the bureau will not
be the indirect assistance given to the fisherman, so much as in the valuable mass of
information which will be gathered. The careful examination and digest of the reports
received, will in a short time enable us to see light through many questions, in
regard to the movements of the various fishes, our knowledge of which is at present
very imperfect. The knowledge thus gained would enable the Department to
act more intelligently on many, at present, doubtful points, and would be of the greatest
value in shaping the legislation in connection with the fisheries.
The cost of tentatively establishing this intelligence bureau, by means of volunteer
correspondents and post cards, will be very small, and I would respectfully suggest
that the system be tried for one season, at a cost not exceeding six hundred dollars.
A weekly or semi-weekly bulletin given to the press would be issued, all paid
telegrams answered, and the reports as received daily,would be mapped and all movements
of the fish, would thus be seen at a glance. The bureau, if operated by an
ordinarily intelligent clerk, desiring to make it a success, would, I am convinced, soon
commend itself to both the Government and the people, as a valuable agency in connection
with our fishing interests.
ON THE EXTENSION OF THE STORM SIGNAL SERVIOE FOR THE BENEFIT OF FIsHERMEN.
I have no means of obtaining accurate statistics as to the annual amount of loss
of life among the fisher men,whilst pursuing their hazardous calling, but in the press,
during the past summer I regretted to notice after nearly every gale a record of
fatal disaster.
At places such as Percé (Que.) where our storm signal system has been in
operation for a number of years, the fishermen have learned, by experience, to give
heed to the warnings, having found them in general very reliable.
There is no room for doubt that the storm signaL system annually saves many
lives, and the knowledge of this fact renders it very desirable that the benefits of the
system should be extended to all points occupied by fishermen, where the necessary
telegraphic means are t hand for its efficient working.
In New Brunswick, taking the Counties of Gloucester, Northumberland and
Kent, covering the south shore of the Bay Chaleur and the Gulf coast from Miscou
Cocagne River, there is no a single stqru signal at any place where it Ia of use