90 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



shown by some bought of the Nova Scotia trappers by two Gloucester 

 vessels, the Joseph Story and J. J. Clark, that purchased about 300 

 barrels each and sold thern in Gloucester about the 20th of June. Many 

 of tke fishermen think that these mackerel have gone up across the 

 Gulf of Saint Lawrence, by Saint Paul's Island, towards the Labrador 

 coast. It seems certain that they have not gone to the vicinity of Prince 

 Edward Island, for none of any amount have yet been taken there, and 

 very few taken at Magdalen Islands, and those of poor quality. 



To return to George's, the mackerel seen on the northwest part of the 

 bank moved toward Cashe's Bank, and from there to the eastward as far 

 as Grand Manan. One trip, by schooner J. W. Campbell, was taken 

 last week about 10 miles southwest of Grand Manan. This school did 

 not go inshore on the coast of Maine, but kept at least 20 miles off, 

 being taken 20 miles off Monhegan and Matinicus, and from 20 to 30 

 miles off Mount Desert Eock. Two vessels arrived about July 1, with 

 trips taken on Seal Island ground, about 25 miles W. S. W. from Seal 

 Island, Nova Scotia. 



In moving from George's to the eastward they did not school in the 

 deeper water between the banks, but only showed themselves when they 

 reached Cashe's Bank in from 40 to 50 fathoms. Vessels fishing on 

 Cashe's find that the mackerel show up every two or three days, and it 

 is a general opinion that each lot is a different school coming from 

 towards George's. The fish are still moving to the eastward, and it is 

 impossible to tell where they will "bid up." I shall watch their move- 

 ments with much interest. 



The cpiality of mackerel thus far has been poorer than usual. Last 

 year at this time half were No. 2's, but this year there are not more than 

 one-third 2's. They are long enough, but not fat enough, and the fish- 

 ermen think the leanness is owing to a scarcity of food. Earlier in the 

 season some food was found in the fish, but now scarcely any is seen in 

 them. 



As the fish have been so far off-shore, I have not had much oppor- 

 tunity to observe their condition as regards spawning, but from what 

 I can learn of the fishermen, they are spawning later this year than 

 usual. 



The mackerel fleet is very large, 140 sail from Gloucester alone, 

 against about 120 last year, and at other ports there is also an increase 

 in the number of vessels. The catch up to this time is much larger 

 than at the same date last year, and bids fair to exceed any previous 

 year. The price is higher than last year, and the business is now very 

 prosperous. Nine sail of vessels, with 3.000 barrels of mackerel, arrived 

 here this morning, and the fish were all sold before noon at $5.75 per 

 barrel as they run, including the barrel. Barrels are in great demand, 

 and sell readily at $1.15 each, and likely to increase in price. The first 

 of the season they sold at 65 cents apiece. Five thousand arrived yes- 

 terday from Bangor by vessel. 



Gloucester, Mass., July IS, 1882. 



