86 Fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 



gust last, the waters of the Strait of Northumberland, from Shediae 

 to Prince Edward Island, were perfectly alive with Mackerel. 

 Off Point Escuminac, the American fisherman caught them with 

 such rapidity, and in such quantities, that they were unable to 

 clean and salt the fish as fast as they were caught ; and it was 

 reported on the coast, that they had sent on shore, and engaged 

 some of the settlers at high wages, to go off to the vessels, and 

 assist in these necessary operations. 



Monsieur Leon Roblcheaux an intelligent native fisherman, 

 resident on Shippagan Island, from whom the writer obtained 

 valuable information as to the Fisheries, stated, that although 

 Mackerel were always plentiful during the season near Shippagan 

 and Miscou, yet the resident fishermen were too idle to take them. 

 He added, that they only caught a few as bait for Cod, or as mat- 

 ter of sport, when sailing to or from their stations for Cod fishing. 



The American vessels which prosecute Mackerel fishing near 

 the shores of New Brunswick, are fitted out in Maine and Mas- 

 sachusetts ; they have two long voyages to make la going to, and 

 returning from, their fishing ground, yet they find it profitable. 

 If it be profitable to them, how much more so could it be made by 

 resident fishermen, who are spared the expense of costly vessels and 

 outfits, high wages, and long voyages. 



The mode of fishing pursued by the American Mackerel Fishers 

 who frequent the Gulf, is that with the line, called " trailing." 

 When a "schull" is met with, the vessel, generally of 60 or 80 

 tons burthen, is put under easy sail, a smart breeze (thence called 

 a Mackerel breeze) being considered most favourable. It is stated 

 by Mr. Sabine, of Easport — who is good authority, — that he has 

 known a crew of ten men, when fishing in the Bay of Chaleur, 

 catch in one day, ninety packed or " dressed " barrels of Maekerel y 

 which could not contain less than 12,000 fish. 



If no fish are in sight, the American Mackerel Fisher on reach- 

 ing some old resort, furls all the sails of his vessel, except the main 

 sail, brings his " craft " to the wind, and commences throwing over 

 bait, to attract the fish to the surface of the water. The bait is 

 usually small Mackerel, or salted Herrings, cut in pieces by a 

 machine, called a " bait-mill." This consists of an oblong wooden 

 box, standing on one end, containing a roller armed with knives, 

 which is turned by a crank on the outside ; it cuts up bait very 

 expediously. If the fisherman succeeds, the Mackerel then seem 

 willing to show how fast they can be caught ; and the fishing goes- 



