432 ANNUAL EECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



1550 pounds of cod-fish, with 844 tons of salted, and 15 tons 

 of smoked herring, the whole representing a value of 50,430 

 thalers. The management of the vessels and of the fisheries 

 generally required the services of ninety men. Circular Fls- 

 cherei - Verei?!^ 1 8 7 3, i. 



TRADE IN FROZEN HERRING. 



A new branch of business has sprung up within a few years 

 on the eastern border of the United States in connection with 

 the herring fishery. It is only by degrees that we are learn- 

 ing the habits of the American sea-herring, and determining 

 its places of resort throughout the year, especially its locali- 

 ties for depositing its spawn. The Bay of Fundy and the 

 island of Grand Manan have for many years been the seat of 

 a profitable summer and fall fishery of herring, these being 

 usually of a small size, 'and of late years taken principally in 

 weirs. The spring fisheries are mainly conducted in the Gulf 

 of St. LaAvrence, especially in the vicinity of the Magdalen 

 Islands, which are resorted to by hundreds of vessels for the 

 purpose of obtaining fares. 



Within a few years past it has been discovered, quite by 

 accident, that the Passamaquoddy Bay and other localities 

 connected with the Bay of Fundy were occupied during winter 

 by immense schools of large herring, much finer than those 

 taken in the autumn. This, of course, was the signal for action 

 on the part of fishermen, and the trade has increased, year 

 by year, so that a large number of persons are now occupied 

 in its prosecution. The fish are taken in gill nets, and, being 

 allowed to freeze, are carried to market in that condition. As 

 many as forty vessels were loaded this season, before the 10th 

 of January, for Portland, Boston, and New York, all expect- 

 ing to return for new cargoes : this in addition to what have 

 been carried by the regular steamer. 



It is estimated that the business has already netted the 

 fishermen $75,000, Avith a prospect of as much more before its 

 conclusion. The herring are taken within about thirty miles 

 of Eastport, and are usually marketed from that port. They 

 make their appearance in October, coming in in increasing 

 numbers until April, when they apparently disappear. It is 

 probable that the trade in frozen herring from Newfoundland 

 will be entirely given up, as the fish can be obtained so much 



