BULLETIN OP THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 363 



assisted by W. H. Venning, esq., inspector of fisheries for that prov- 

 ince.— W. F. Whitcher in the Montreal Gazette, May 5, 1884. 



Decline of the Canadian salmon fisheeies. — Eegarding the 

 alleged increase of produce from rivers in which salmon artiticially bred 

 have been placed, and the corresponding decrease from rivers depend- 

 ent on natural propagation, Mr. W. F. Whitcher, formerly inspector of 

 fisheries of Ottawa, Canada, says in the Montreal Gazette of May 5, 

 1884: 



"That a fluctuating decline of the salmon fishery since 1874 has oc. 

 curred throughout the eastern section of the Dominion of Canada it 

 is useless and unwise to deny. The precise extent to which this declen- 

 sion has been arrested during a series of years, on the one hand by 

 reserving and guarding the natural spawning grounds, eradicating 

 abuses, imposing restrictions in the modes, and curtailing the periods 

 of fishing, by constructing fish-ways and removing obstructions to the 

 ascent of salmon, by opening up new and extensive breeding areas, 

 and by regulating and protecting the inland fisheries generally, and on 

 the other hand by planting salmon fry artificially hatched— all of these 

 form a fair subject for impartial inquiry." 



He then gives figures, from which I compile the following table: 



Tahle of salmon caught in Quebec, New BrnnswicTc, and Nova Scotia for fourteen consecntive 



years, 18G9-'82. 



Tears. 



Period preceding artificial hatching. 



18G9 



1870 



1871 



1872 



1873 • 



1874 



Period of artificial hatching. 



1875 



1876 



1877 



1878 



1879 



1880 



1881 



1882 



In the three provinces named, under the natural system there was a 

 gradual increase in the yield. Artificial fish-hatching was resumed in 

 Eastern Canada in 1873-'74. After eight years of artificial hatching, 

 the quantity fell in 1881 to 21 per cent of what it was at the beginning. 



Mr. Whitcher seems opi)osed to artificial hatching, and the above 

 figures are used to argue its ineflBciency. Of course the advocates of 

 fish-culture should also stare these facts squarely in the face, and 

 ascertain what are the causes of this remarkable decline in the midst 

 of their best efforts. 



