442 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



increase in 2 rivers; increase varying in 8 rivers; the fish decreased in 

 17 rivers; no fish observed in 10 rivers; do statistics in 24 rivers. 



Several varieties of carp, perch, and other freshwater fish have also 

 been introduced into the Australian rivers and lakes during the same 

 period, and, on the whole, with satisfactory results. Especially the 

 common tench (Tinea vulgaris) and the common perch (Perca fluciatilis) 

 have in a comparatively short time increased very much, and may now 

 be considered as entirely acclimatized in Australia. 



154.-NEW 1].\«LAM» FISHERIES IN AUGUST, 1885. 



By W. A. WILCOX. 



August shows a decided improvement in receipts, prices, and de- 

 mand for the leading varieties of salt-water fish. Codfish have been 

 fairly abundant on the Grand Banks and also on George's Bank. Dur- 

 ing August few cod were found on Brown's Bank, and most of the ves- 

 sels changed for George's. The receipts of the month at Gloucester 

 aggregate only about one-half as much as the corresponding month 

 last year. The home fleets have landed an average amount, the fall- 

 ing short being mostly Canadian vessels, as low prices and the duty 

 keep out the customary large receipts brought by foreign vessels. 

 With a large falling off in the aggregate receipts, the market has at 

 all times been fully supplied and prices have generally been low. 



The schooner Byron was the first vessel since the termination of 

 the Washington treaty to pay a duty on a cargo brought from the 

 fishing banks. She arrived at Gloucester on August 20, with 300,000 

 pounds of codfish caught on the Grand Banks. This was the only 

 cargo of fish from the banks that paid a duty during the month. 



The shore fleet, ground-fishing oif the eastern coast, reported less than 

 the average catch, as fish were scarce. Off the Massachusetts coast 

 a light catch is expected this season, as a large number of the vessels 

 usually engaged have changed to the mackerel or swordfish fishery. 

 As compared with former years receipts have been up to the average. 



Mackerel receive more attention at this season than all other fish, 

 the catch, movements of the fleet, receipts, and fluctuations of the market 

 being closely watched. During the past month, with the exception of a 

 few sail in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, the vessels have worked along 

 the New England coast from Boston Bay to the Bay of Fundy. Mack 

 ore] were found abundant, the fleet landing 106,316 sea-packed barrels* 

 during the month, this being only 10,520 barrels less than the entire 

 amount of sea-packed barrels landed at all ports during 1885 up to 

 August 1. 



*Sea-packed barrels are so called from the mackerel having been cured and packed 

 at sea. At that time all sizes and qualities are packed together. On reaching port 

 they are repacked, sorted, and inspected by a commissioned State inspector. 



