DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

34
nine years was 101,805 barrels, and for the latter 96,067 barrels, a difference of but 5,738
barrels per annum. The average catch of mackerel in all Canada, during the nine
teen years from 1869 to 1887, was 146,271 barrels per annum, and for the ten years
from 1869 to 1878, the annual catch was 139,340 barrels, while for the nine years
from 1879 to 1887, the catch was 153,202 barrels, or an increase of 13,862 barrels
per annum over t he former period, and an increase of 6,931 barrels over the general
average for the whole period, which certainly gives no evidence that mackerel are
becoming scarce on our coasts. I think it quite probable that we shall have a large
yield from this branch of the fisheries in the immediate future. It is quite common
for this, as well as other branches of the fisheries to fail for several years in succeseion,
and then return again more abundant than ever. The Manhaden fishery
along the American coasts, fell off almost to nothing nine years ago, and continued
in that state, until the present year, when they returned more plentiful than for
thirty years past. During their absence, all kinds of theories were advanced, by
fishermen and others, but in particular, the modes of fishing were thought to be, as
usual, the cause of the destruction, while really there was no destruction, but the
fish were controlled in their movements by natural causes. For fifty years previous
to 1864, the complaint was periodically raised and pressed upon the law makers of
Great Britain, that beam trawling and other modes of fihing were ruining the
coast and deep sea fisheries, and demands were made for prohibitory laws. The
government, however, appointed and sent out a Royal Commission to enquire into
the whole question of the effect of the modes of fishing upon the fish supply, and
after a thorough enquiry all around the coasts, the commission had no hesitation in
reporting that so far from there being any decrease in the natural supply, there was
an increase, and recommended that all laws restricting the catch of coast ani deep
sea fish be repealed. Accordingly such laws were removed from the Statute-book,
except such as were needed to keep peace among the fishermen, by protecting mdi.
vidual rights. So that if in the Old World after many centuries of fishing big countries
containing many millions oC population, the supply of fish was not wanting, I do
iiot think we need trouble ourselves on this point, as a new country, with our
fishery resources scarcely yet developed.
The late 1'rofessor Baird, and Professor J. Browne Goode of the United States,
after much investigation, fully agree with Professors Sarrs of Sweden, Alman of Norway,
and 11uley of Great Britain, that the few fish taken for human food, contributes
almost nothing to the decline of sea or coast fish. On this subject Professor
goode's views will be found in the Encyclopedia Britannica, Article Pisoiculture.
HERRINGS
Were quite plenty on most of the coast, and a fair average crop has been gathered,
while the prices obtained have been fair. The total catch was 175,285 barrels, as
against 181,146 barrels last year, a decrease of but 5,861 barrels. There are many
influences both natural and commercial, as well as the scarcity or abundance of fish
on the coast, which affect the quantity caught from year to year, consequently the
average result of a group of years is the best criterion from which to judge of a permanent
decrease or otherwise, in any branch of the fisheries.
There was a short catch of Digby herring this year, the total quantity being
33,000 boxes as compared with 85, 10 boxes last year. The cause for the decline
is difficult to determine, but we may be sure the cause is not local, the same thing
having repeatedly occurred before.
ALEWIVES.
There was a shortage in the catch of alewives during the past year, of 1,500
barrels, caused mainly by the high water and the state of the streams throughout the
'fishing season. The supply of these fish is steadily increasing, as the result of
better protection and improved flshways.