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43<br />
Oversetr John Fitzgerald, of Mill Village, is pleased to report a smaller number<br />
of violations of the Fishery Act than in most former years, and also that the mil1<br />
owneis are exemplary in taking care of their rubbish. The wet season was extremely<br />
favorable to the ascent of fish up the rvers, so that the first run was over before<br />
many could be caught. There was an increase in the catch of herring and an average<br />
catch of lobsters, but the mackerel fishing fell far short, owing mostly to stormy<br />
weather. This officer again urges the importance of appointing an extra warden.<br />
The spawning places offer extra inducements for poaching as the fish are less lively<br />
when there, and owing to the shallow water fall an easy prey to poachers. Mr.<br />
Fitzgerald gives his opinion that sawdust is not injurious to fish.<br />
SRELBURNE COUNTY.<br />
Overseer W. J. .McGÜI, of Shelburne, reports cod as less plentiful, and conseçuently<br />
his returns show quite a falling off. The bank fishermen were longer than<br />
usual on their trips, but prices ruling high, the business proved more profitable than<br />
the previous year. Cod were unusually scarce inshore, and had it not been for<br />
haddock and hen ing, the inshore fishery would have proved a failure. Mackerel<br />
wcre a total failure in his district, the 300 barrels having been taken by vessels.<br />
There was an increase in the herring fishing amounting to 2,113 barrels. These fish<br />
commanded a good price in the market leaving a handsome margin for the fisher<br />
men. Lobsters continue quite plentiful. The falling off is owing entirely to the<br />
close season being a month shorter, and the absence of the steamer which formerly<br />
arnied live lobsters to Boston. The present regulation, says Mr. McGill, are just<br />
what are required for his district, and the law as a rule was complied with. Infringe.-<br />
monte were duly dealt with as the law directed. There was a falling off in salmon,<br />
elyde River being the only section which did not show a decrease. The alewives<br />
fishing showed an improvement, and a larger percentage than usual reached their<br />
epawning grounds and everything was favorable for the descent of the young. The<br />
fishways are all in good condition and are being carefu'ly looked after. Owing togood<br />
prices a large percentage of the fishermen did better than last year.<br />
Overseer E. S. Goudy, of Barrington, reports an increase in the number of yes.-<br />
isols engaged in the fisheries by seven. Cod shows a falling off of 4,000 cwt. as comrn<br />
pared with the previous year, due for the most part, from the fact that the bankers<br />
returned from their first trip with very small fares, and the boat fishermen, especially<br />
at Port la Tour, did but a very small business. Herring show an increase of 1,800<br />
barrels. All the mackerel taken the past year were packed in ice and shipped to the<br />
United States, where they brought all the way from six to twenty.five cents each,<br />
except 441 barrels which were salted. A large business was also done in shipping<br />
live lobsters to foreign ports, amounting in value to over $80,000, and large prepara.-<br />
lions are being made to increase this line of business next year. Canned lobsters<br />
show a decrease on account of the shorter season. Mr. Goudy says he visited the<br />
fishway at Clyde 2iver, and found it giving good satisfaction, large numbers of ale'<br />
wives ascending it. Next year repairs will be necessary. Salmon on this river show<br />
an increase,<br />
YA11LOUTU COUNTY.<br />
Overseer Enos Gardner, of Tusket, reports a decrease in the fisheries of his district,<br />
and attributes it to the stormy weather and scarcity of bait. Some of the yes-.<br />
eels got full fai es but many did not. Prices ruled high, on account of the constant rains<br />
it was found very difficult to. cure the fish, so that altogether the business has not been<br />
very profitable this season. The mackerel fishery was a failure, the trap nets not<br />
taking enough to pay expenses. Net fishermen did not fare much better, The high<br />
prices obtained helped the matter some. The prices for live lobsters were good, and<br />
those engaged in this business did very well. The regulations were well observed.<br />
The factories did not put up so many as in the previous year, as they required to<br />
close up on the 1st July. The managers showed every disposition to observe the<br />
law, but are of opinion that if they were allowed two months fall fishing, commene'-
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