DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES,

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Fisheries, issue a fishery license for the same, and any net, fishing boat, or fishing
apparatus used before such license has been obtained, and any net, fishing boat, or
fishing apparatus used in exoes or evasion of the description contained in such
license shall be deemed to be illegal and liable to forfeiture, together with the fish
caught therein; and the owner or p rson using the same shall be also subject
to fine and costs under the Fisheries Act.
(b). All salmon nets and fishing boats shall have the name of the owner or
owners legibly marked on two pieces of wood or metal attached to the same, and
such mark shall be preserved on such nets or fishieg boats during the fishing seaS
son in such a manner as to he visable without taking up the net or nets; and any
net or fishing boat used without such mark sball be liable to forfeiture.
5. The Miniter of Marine and Fisheries shall, from time to time, determine
the number of boats, seinos, or nets, or other fishing apparatus to be used in any of
the waters of British Columbia.
Trout Fithery.
No one shall fish for, catch, or kill trout from the 15th October to the 15th
March, both days inclusive, in each year.
Provided always that the Indians may, at any time, catch or kill trout for their
own use only, but not for the purposes of sale or traffic.
It is to be hoped that, a strict enforcement of the above regulations will
put a check to the decline experienced during the past two seasons and ensure the
success and permanency of such a source of wealth to the Province of British
Columbia.
The decrease in the fur seal catch of Behring Sea was principally due to the
unsettled state of affairs by which several British schooners were deterred from
entering these waters at the risk of seizure by the United States Revenue Cutters.
Circumstances again prevented this Department from continuing the experiments
begun in 188G, with the view of locating the cod banks in the neighborhood
of Vancouver and Queen Charlotte [slard; but, it is satisfactory to know that, the
attempts made by private parties in this direction were fairly successful and will
eventually lead to preparations on a larger and more extensive scale for the pursuit
of this fishery next season.
QTJFBEO.
Though the season of 1888 proved to be one of almost unprecedented severity,
the returns show a slight increase in the value of the gulf fisheries of $9,000, and
of $77,000, in the inland districts; amounting to $t3,5O0. Cod was abundant; the
surplus catch of l7,'00 cwts., as compared with last year's would have been greater
had harbors of refuge been provided on the coast of G-aspd especially, in order to
permit of fishermen using larger boats, with which they could remain outside in