BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 51 



Witb the close of the month a much better feeling is shown; disasters 

 and losses of the past are not thought so irreparable, as long as there 

 is a prospect of some protection being giving the industry by the Gen- 

 eral Government. 



Beceipts offish at Gloucester, Mass., January, 18S6. 



15.-TDE FISHERIES OF CANADA IIV 1SS4.* 



GENERAL REMARKS ON THE PROVINCES. 



Nova Scotia. — The returns show that the fisheries of this Province do 

 not only maintain the improvement of the last few years, but they show 

 a large increase over any former year. While this improvement em- 

 braces nearly all kinds of fish, it is most marked in cod, mackerel, 

 herring, salmon, and lobsters. 



The encouragement offered by the bounty has largely increased the 

 number of vessels and boats engaged in the deei)-sea and shore fish- 

 eries. 



Neic Brunsicick. — From this Province the returns show a large in- 

 crease in the yield of its fisheries. A most gratifying feature is the 

 general improvement in the salmon fishery, which extends to almost 

 every district in which this fishery is pursued. Smelt, herring, and 

 lobsters show increased catches. Shad and alewives also share in the 

 general improvement, but the sturgeon fishery shows a large falling off 

 from former years. In some districts the herring fishery was not so 

 productive, while in others it shows a largely increased catch. This is 

 no doubt due to the erratic movements of the schools of this fish, which, 

 while nev^er leaving our coast, change their habitat according to tem- 

 perature, weather, and the location of their favorite food. 



Quebec. — The late date at which the ice left in the spring, and the 

 stormy weather which almost constantly prevailed in the Gulf during 



* Extracts from the Annual Report of the Department of Fisheries, Dominion of 

 Canada, lor the year 1884. 



