STATISTICS OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



309 



The following table shows iu detail the extent of the catch lor the several Provinces: 



Table allowing the quantity and ralue of the mackerel taken in the Dominion of Canada in 1880, as shown l>y the Canadian 



Fishery Report. 



* In estimating the pounds (if IVesh mackerel required rmd the value of prepared products at New England prices the cans shown here 

 aie .regarded as 1-pouud cans. 



In the tables from which the above summary has been compiled no allowance seems to have 

 been made for local consumption. A. rough estimate of the amount used in this way would be 

 18,000,000 pounds, making a total catch for the Provinces of abont 88,000,000 pounds, worth, at 

 prices current in the United States, not far from $1,620,000. 



Mackerel are not abundant in the waters of the Newfoundland coast, and few are taken by the 

 fishermen. The returns for the year ending July 31, 1S81, show that only 181 barrels were 

 exported. This quantity, which equals 54,300 pounds of fresh fish, doubtless represents the bulk 

 of the mackerel taken, as few are consumed locally. Allowing an equal quantity for local con- 

 sumption, we have only about 110,000 pounds, valued at $1,650, taken by the islanders. 



By combining the catch of the New England, Canadian, and Newfoundland fishermen we 

 have the total product of the mackerel fishery for the Western Atlantic iu 1880. This is found to 

 be about Ii20,000,000 pounds of round mackerel, valued at $4,228,000. This value represents the 

 fish as they are first placed upon the market. If the value to the consumer is desired the figures 

 must be nearly doubled, to include the transportation charges and the profits of the various mid- 

 dlemen who handle them. 



2. STATISTICS OF THE NEW ENGLAND MACKEREL FLEET FOR 1879, 1880, 1881. 



BY W. A. Wii.cox. 



Statement showing the number of vessels and their catch of salt mackerel in the Bay of Saint Lawrence and American shore 



mackerel fisheries for the season of 1879. 

 [Compiled from annual report of Boston Fish Bureau for 1870. J 



