CHAP. XXXV. MIGRATORY HABITS OF THE HERRIXG. 231 



in mystery, and much light requires to be thrown upon 

 the natural lii story of this fish before its migratory 

 habits can be said to be understood. In the Eeport by 

 the Commissioners for the British Fisheries for 1859, it 

 is admitted that many theories are advanced to account 

 for these capricious fluctuations, ' some alarming as to 

 the decay of the herring fisheries, others inventive and 

 fictitious as to the supposed habits of the fish, but none 

 that will stand the test even of shght investigation, much 

 less the scrutiny of scientific enquiry.' * 



THE MACKEREL FISHERY. 



Although the mackerel abounds in the Gulf, the pur- 

 suit of this valuable fish is almost altogether in the hands 

 of American and ISTova-Scotian fishermen. The summer 

 mackerel fishing, which is by far the most important, is 

 entirely in the hands of the Americans. Some con- 

 ception of the importance of this industry will be formed 

 when the statistics in the United States are considered. 

 The States of Xew England send out a thousand vessels 



* The lierriug fishery is most valuable and abuudaut ; it can hardly be 

 surpassed elsewhere. From tmskillfuluess in fishing, and ignorance of the 

 best mode of curing, this fishery is scarcely profitable, and the salted 

 hemngs have no commercial value. The remedy would consist in the 

 employment of competent persons to teach the manner of so arranging the 

 nets as to take the gTeatest quantity of fish at all times, and of experienced 

 curers to give instructions as to the Dutch mode of curing, the adoption of 

 which has so greatly mcreased the demand for Scottish herrings, and 

 rendered that fishery so valuable. The means successfully adopted by the 

 commissioners of British fisheries with respect to the herring fisheries of 

 Scotland may safely be followed in New Brunswick ; and perhaps the 

 establishment of a fishery Board, with somewhat similar powers and 

 duties, might also be advantageous as well to the gulf fisheries as to tliose 

 of the Bay of Fimdy. — Report on Sea and River Fisheries within tlie Gulf of 

 St. Lawrenee. 



