DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

47
CAUSES OF SHORTAGE.
These are various and differ with locality and also in the branches of fibhery
effected. Generalizing the causes productive of failure, they may be enumerated
thus: Lingering of the ice upon the shores to :in advanced date of the fishing season
violent storms occurring in the season which cause destruction of fishing appliances
and the retreat of fish to deep waters; absence of bait when fish are present on the
• coast; and destructive, improper methods of fishing. Of the latter two, the former
is largely within human control, the last wholly so, and this will be specially referred
to further on in this report.
SALMON.
The prosecution of this branch of fishery is, for commercial purposes, confined
mainly to some three or four points upon the island coast. Salmon, by netting, has not,
on the whole, come up to a good average, and a less quantity than usual of that taken
has been barrelled, but the export of it fresh and frozen has largely increased, chiefly to
the United States. It is a hopeful feature for the future of this branch of industry that
the parent fish which ascended the rivers for spawning were unprecedented in
numbers for years past. This was especially noticeable in Maragaree River, Inver.
ness County, where it is said that the number of salmon found on the 1st July, the
'height of the angling season, has not been equalled within the memory of any of the
present residents of the valley, and anglers have had a correspondingly ha ppy time of
sport. Thu uniformity of Sizo observable in the fish led to a belief that the fish
which ascended the streams this year were the first fruits of the hatchery located at
Sydney. Althongh this is probable, it is yet rather early in the experiment to pro..
nounce upon it definitely; but unless some very unfavorable circumstances occur to
militate against the running of the fish, next year's experience will settle the quos..
tion beyond doubt. The popular acceptance of the signs of the last season are
strengthened by the known fact that salmon will during its life choose the same
stream for breeding year after year, and that the choice is made invariably of the
stream of its birth.
TROUT.
The streams were well sup'lied from tidal waters with this valuable fish, and as
in habits and instincts it is closely allied with the salmon, there is no doubt bat that
the improved guardianship extended to the trout in late years is already beginning
to tell favorably.
ALEWIVES.
These, also, show an increase, as compared with last year. They are the first to
ascend the streams from tidal waters, after the breaking up of the ice, and
consequently, although comparatively not of very great value as salted fish in the
market, are of important value as an early fish for domestic consumption.
HERRING.
This has proved the staple branch of the Cape Breton fisheries for the year 1888.
With two or three minor exceptions the herring fishery turned out remunerative to
a degree that went far to compensate for the loss in other branches. Considering
the value of herring as an article of profitable foreign commerce, and as a staple of
food for home consumption, the wanton destruction of thousands of barrels of fish
on the coasts of this island, annually thrown back dead into the sea, by mackerel
seiners, is a most serious matter in the economy of one of the most valuable natural
resources of this country This point will be found more fully referred to in this
report, under the heading of "Destructive Methods of Fishing."
It may be remarked that the "summer herring" taken on the coasts of this
island is unequalled in size and excellence of quality by herring caught on any other
coast in North America. This is a local peculiarity of this Island, but a never failing
one, and this herring always commands two and three dollars more per barrel