40 BULLETIN OF THE UXITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



of mackerel was found, and many vessels made good hauls. Much 

 time was lost from stormy weather; the aggregate catch of the mouth 

 was not up to expectation, and vessels began to leave for home ports. 

 At the close of the month 150 sail had given up the catch, and about 

 the same number remained for a short time longer. 



Gulf of Samt Lawrence. — A few vessels from Massachusetts have re- 

 mained about Prince Edward Island. Much of the time the weather 

 was unfavorable for fishing, and but a very small amount was added to 

 the catch. We quote from a letter received from Georgetown, Prince 

 Edward Island, dated October 20 : " Mackerel kept on the north side 

 of the island this year, and scarcely any were taken on this side by 

 boats or vessels. We can report this season as one of the worst and 

 most unprofitable in the history of the fish business for our fishermen. 

 We do not hear of any mackerel having been taken during the past 

 two weeks." 



Gill-net fishing. — As the schools of ground fish begin to draw in near 

 the coast, the first of October finds the gill-net fishermen on the grounds 

 with these nets that are now so generally used by the shore fishermen. 

 Onl}- a few years ago they were unknown to the American fishermen. 

 On being introduced by the TJ. S. Fish Commission, in 1878, the shore 

 fishermen soon saw the many advantages and value of them, gradually 

 giving up the hook and line for gill-nets. 



October 7, the first gill-nets were put down this season. Six nets 

 were set on Brown's fishing-ground, 7 miles from Gloucester. These 

 nets were hauled the next day, the catch being 1,000 pounds of codfish 

 and 100 pollock that weighed 2,400 pounds ; the pollock by gill-net 

 catch averaged 24 pounds each. A few sail hand-line fishing on the 

 same ground took but few fish, none of their pollock of over 12 pounds 

 weight. Soon the hand-line fishermen gave it, up. The catch by gill- 

 nets increased daily, the fish coming in abundance, and more vessels and 

 nets being engaged. The aggregate catch for the month amounted to 

 2,768,790 pounds of pollock and 112,770 pounds of codfish. The fisher- 

 men engaged in this catch live mostly at Gloucester ; they leave home 

 between 3 and 4 o'clock in the morning ; having only 12 to 15 miles 

 to go, they arrive on the fishing grounds at an early hour, run their 

 nets, taking from G,000 to 8,000 pounds of pollock and 1,000 to 3,000 

 pounds of codfish ; are back in port, fish sold, and money received for 

 same before dark, the flshermaji averaging from $3 to $5 each for his 

 day's work, spending his night at home, and being off again the next 

 morning. This of course api3lies only to the time when the weather is 

 favorable and fish remain in this immediate neighborhood. Another 

 month will find fish and fishermen moved from their present location of 

 Half-way liock iiito Ipswich Bay, where the gill-net cod-fishing will be 

 carrie<l on during the winter. 



Codfish receipts at Gloucester during the mouth aggregate 5,107,372 



