M 



BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



coast, off Wood Islaud, aud other localities in Maine, lierring were re- 

 ported abundant, but owing to fewer vessels having been engaged, the 

 catch was much under the average. 



GREENLAND AND ICELAND HALIBUT FLEET. 



During the past month most of the vessels from the United States 

 engaged in this far-away fishery have returned. With one exception 

 they belong to Gloucester. The following is the list of vessels (all 

 schooners), with dates of sailing aud return: 



None of the vessels made full fares. Off Greenland the weather was 

 reported good and fish scarce, while off Iceland fish were more abund- 

 ant, but stormy weather prevailed much of the time. Capt. John Cous- 

 ins, of the Carrier Dove, reports as follows : Sailed from Gloucester on 

 May 15 ; arrived oft' Iceland June 23 ; left August 9 ; arrived at Glou- 

 cester, September 10, On arriving at the fishing grounds found the 

 coast entirely surrounded by ice at the northern part of the island, 

 "where all the fishing was done. No halibut being reported on the 

 southern coast, we had to wait about a week for the drift ice to clear. 

 After that, ice was reported outside of the fishing grounds, but occa- 

 sioned no trouble. Fished entirely with trawls set from 20 to 40 miles 

 from the shore. Fished only for halibut, which appeared to be in spots. 

 The catch was variable, some days only a few being taken, and other 

 days a fair catch was made. We were obliged to change our location 

 every day, having apparently caught all that were on a particular 

 spot. During most of the fishing the weather was very blustery, 

 with strong easterly wind much of the time. About 150 sail, mostly 

 topsail schooners, from France, Norway, and England, were hand-line 

 fishing for cod oft' the coast. Most of the foreign vessels were from 

 France. The catch was mostly cod, with a small amount of cusk, had- 

 dock, and ling. The vessels from the United States fished for halibut 

 only. These halibut average 100 pounds each ; near shore they run of 

 small size, some not over a pound. Sharks were very plentiful, and 

 catching them for their oil was made a business by the natives. No 

 fishing, except by natives, is permitted within three miles of shore, a 

 Government steamer keeping watch along the coast to see that the 

 vessels comply with the law. 



