DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

39
bay did nothing. He is glad, however, to report that the deep sea fishery upon the
whole has been good, although the very rainy weather seriously interfered with
curing them. The lobster firms had a profitable season's work, and prices of all kinds
of fish were good. The fishermen of his district have happily been free from dis.
aster of any kind, and they are likely to subsist very well through the coming
winter on their summer's earnings. The fishery laws, with but very few exceptions,
were well observed.
Overseer James A. Collins, of Westport, reports a prosperous season for the fisher.
men of his district, the catch of live fish having exceeded that of 1887, while prices
were much higher. The catch of lobsters was about equal to that of last year..
There was a remarkable increase in the export of fresh haddock. This branch of
the fisheries is becoming more important each year, and is now being carried on a
good part of the winter when weather permits. The laws and regulations were well
observed in Mr Collins' district. It appears to him that power should be given to
the overseers to regulate the setting of lobster traps and herring nets, as constant
disputes arise on account of overcrowding among the fishermen; and the evil seems
to be growing worse with each succeeding year. The supply of bait is likely to be a
very serious matter in the near future. Ho thinks the scarcity of herrings is partly
eawed by the destruction of vast quantities of small ones by the weirs of Grand
Manan and Annapolis Basin. He also calls attention to the large quantities of vari
ous kinds of small fish destroyed each year by the various traps along the adjacent
ishores of Yarmouth. Immense quantities of these fish are hauled away by farinera
in the vicinity and used for manure. Squid are much used for bait, but the supply
is precious and uncertain. Mr. Collins again urges the importance of protecting the
upper part of St. Mary's Bay as a spawning ground. Trawling should be prohibited
there during a portion of the year. No mackerel were taken and they appear to
have wholly deserted that part of the coast for a time. Having had a good catch of
fish, and having realized good prices for the same, the fishermen appear to be well.
satisfied with the present conditions of things, and do not regret th s rejection of the
treaty, which they consider would have been of little or no benefit to them.
auYsBOao' COUNTY.
Overseer James A. Tory, of Guysboro', reports the fisheries of his district for the
past season to have been a fearful failure, and in some respects and in some localities.
nearly a total one, which leaves many persons unprovided for the winter. The
lobster fishery proved the best, and had it not been for the shortening of the fishing
season the overseer has no doubt, it would have exceeded former years. The packers
reported that the quantity at the close of that season was quite equal to former
seasons of the same date, but a downward tendency in size. The employment of
inspectors did good service in the protection of the small and female fish frouL
destruction, and it is hoped the Department will continue such service. Mr. Tory
suggests a plan or scheme that would be less expensive, viz.: "There are now too
many canneries in operation, and the opposition to each other is so great that strong
inducements are held out to the fishermen to violate the regulations, besides most of
them are owned by foreigners, and they should be compelled to contribute towards
the protection of a fishery from which tbey derive such a source of income. No
cannery should be allowed to traffic in lobsters without first obtaining a license for
that purpose, and the amount should not be less than $50 each. This should go to
form a fund to pay the inspectors, which would make it almost a solf.sustaining
arrangement." Live fish, especially cod, were a fair catch, but not equal to last
year. The shortage was principally owing to the Grand Bank vessels having been sold
or transferred to other porta Herring was only about a half catch as compared with
tsst year. Mackerel, on their first appearance in the spring, bid fair for a good season's
catch, but all were doomed to disappointment, br no sooner did they appear than
they were attacked by the American fleet of purse seinet a which caused them to
leave the coast, and the result was none entered the bays or harbors, and virtually a
total failure to the flsheinen was the result, excepting a night or two along the