52 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



the fisliiiig- season, has caused a cousiderablc decrease in the catch of 

 almost all kinds of fisb. The decrease in the catch of salmon on the 

 south shore of Gaspe and Bonaventure is, however, counterbalanced 

 by the increased catch on the north shore. 



More interest than usual ^Yas taken in the mackerel fishery, and con- 

 siderable outlay was made by local fishermen; but unfavorable weather 

 doubtless afiected the movements of the schools, Avhich did not go to 

 the west of Cape Breton, and the catch made was inconsiderable. 



The inlaud fisheries show a large decrease as compared with the 

 catch of 1883. This falling off, which was noticeable in almost every 

 kind of fish, is due more to a prevalence of contrary winds and stormy 

 iveather than to any scarcity of fish. 



Prince Edward Island. — Tiie stormy and unfavorable weather which 

 prevailed in the Gulf extended also to the straits, and had the same 

 effect on the island fisheries. The returns show a large falling off' in all 

 kinds of fish, the decrease being most marked in mackerel. The single 

 exception is the lobster fishery, w^hich, contrary to general expectation, 

 has been good, and the returns show a considerable increase over the 

 very large catch of last year. 



The enormous extent to which this fishery has been developed and 

 the constantly increasing number of factories and fishermen have led to 

 much confusion. It will soon be necessary, in the interest of the fish- 

 ery, as well as of the fishermen and packers, to bring it under the more 

 effective control of the Department. 



British CohimMa. — The returns from this Province show a large de- 

 crease in the salmon catch of the Fraser lliver, where only six canneries 

 out of thirteen were in operation. This result was not due to any 

 scarcity of fish, but to the large quantity of preserved salmon on the 

 market and the low prices obtained. 



A fish hatchery, measuring 100 by 40 feet, was built during last sea- 

 son on the Fraser Eiver. It will easily accommodate 3,000,000 quinuat 

 salmon eggs or 5,500,000 saw-quai [or " suk-kegh," a name for blue-back 

 salmon?] salmon ova. By doubling the trays, double this number of 

 eggs can be laid down. The catching of parent salmon began about 

 the beginning of July, and by the close of the season 3,000,000 eggs 

 were on the trays. The operations were highly successful, and reflect 

 credit upon the ofiQcer in charge, Mr. Thomas Mowat. 



Ontario. — The total value of the fisheries in the Province of Ontario 

 is reckoned at $1,133,724.26, On Lake Superior, Lake Huron, and 

 Georgian Bay the individual catches did not much exceed those of last 

 year, but the number of fishermen was larger and the aggregate yield 

 consequently increased. The severe stormy w^eather which prevailed 

 during the first part of November greatly interfered with the fisher- 

 men's operations by damaging or destroying a large amount of twine 

 and driving the runs of fish off" the reefs; but, on the whole, the result 

 was satisfactory. 



