BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 273 



Vol. VI, jVo. 18. Washing^ton, D. €. Not. 13, 1886. 



S3 :VK\V E.X<irA.>D FlimiEKIES I\ SEPTE.IIBER, 1SS6. 



By ^V. A. \VIL,COX. 



Mackerel have continued scarce both oli" the United States and pro- 

 vincial shores. The first of the month found a largfe portion of the mack- 

 erel vessels from the United States in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. 

 Much of the time high winds and rough weather detained them in har- 

 bors. Two vessels belonging at Portland, Me., in making Malpeque, 

 Prince Edward Island, in stormy weather, collided and became a total 

 loss; the crews were saved. The fleet received much damage and lost 

 many seine boats. A number of vessels that had secured good fares ar- 

 rived home and immediately returned, meeting with others coming away 

 with few if any fish. 



Among the arrivals during the month are the following from voj'ages 

 of from one to two months or more spent in the Gulf of Saint Law- 

 rence : 



This list could be largely extended, but will suffice as showing the 

 scarcity of mackerel during the month. The total amount landed iu 

 sea-packed barrels at Xew England ports from all the fishing grounds 

 was only 21,736 barrels, against 58,196 barrels in September, 1885. 

 Owing to the scarcity and poor prospects of a catch, the market has 

 held firm, and prices have slowly advanced from $12 a barrel on the first 

 of the mouth to $14 at the close, for fish sea-packed. Inspected fish 

 were selling for 818 to 822 for Xo. I's, 812 to $13 for No. 2's, and $10.50 

 for No. 3's. Fish caught off the Xew England shore brought an advance 

 over prices named, which are for mackerel caught in the Gulf of Saint 

 Lawrence. 



Shore herring appeared off Wood Island, Maine, on September 15, 

 about the usual time that they are found there. The fishermen have 

 Bull. U. S. F. C, 86 18 



