VIII -THE HALIBUT-FISHERY OF THE UNITED" STATES. 



By Lieut. P. de Bkoca 



Oat of the most frequently observed fish in the markets of the seaboard 

 towns of the United States is the halibut, (abundant in the northern 

 seas,) which the fishermen of Newfoundland consider of little value, in 

 consequence of a prejudice cherished by them as absurd as that of the 

 English iu regard to the skate. The flesh of the halibut possesses every 

 quality which can make it desirable to the consumer, being white, firm, 

 and delicate. It may, perhaps, lack flavor ; but it makes up for this de- 

 ficiency by entering readily into the most varied culinary combinations, 

 and, when smoked, it rivals, in my opinion, the best preparations possi- 

 ble. Under whatever form it appears, it is so highly appreciated in the 

 United States, that it has become the object of an important industry. 

 This fishery is generally combined with that of the cod, when it is car- 

 ried on along the shores of the open sea. 



The halibut is found in abundance along the coast of New England 

 and of the British Possessions, as well as on the banks of Saint George, 

 of Sable Island, and of Newfoundland.! The giant representative of 

 the family of Pleuronectids, it attains such dimensions that among the 

 edible fishes of the sea it may be considered as analogous to the ox 

 among the animals of the slaughter-house. It is often caught weighing 

 a hundred pounds, and in many instances it has been taken weighing 

 even more than this. A few years ago one appeared in the market of 

 Boston which weighed 400 pounds ; and in 1807 one was caught at New 

 Ledge, sixty miles to the southeast of Portland, that weighed over 600 

 pounds. It is truly astonishing that fish which contain so great an 

 amount of alimentary substance have not long since attracted the atten- 

 tion of the French fishermen of Newfoundland or those of Iceland, and 

 suggested to them the thought of their great commercial value. 



During the warm season halibut are caught in shallow water, only a 

 few miles from the shore ; but as the weather grows colder, they migrate 

 toward the banks of the open sea, where they must be followed to be 



*£tude sur L'industrie huitriere des Etats-Unis, [pp. 139-224:—] Deuxieme partie. 

 Apercus divers sur la peche cotiere, [pp. 141-148 :— ] Chapitre premier Peche du Fle"tan. 



iThe halibut inhabits also all the seas of the north of Europe, and is the object of an 

 important fishery, especially among the Icelanders and Norwegians. The English and 

 the Dutch consume large quantities. 



