96 Fisheries of the Gulf of St, Lawrence, 



Crabs of all sizes, are to be bad in abundance, but they are nc. 

 often caught; neither are the Shrimps, which are to be seen in 

 -endless quantities. At times, the waters of the Straits of Northum- 

 berland appear as if thickened with masses of Shrimps moving 

 about, their course being plainly indicated by the fish of all descrip- 

 tions, which follow in their wake, and feed upon them gree lily. 



RIVER FISHERIES. 



The principal Fsheries in tho-e Rivers of New Brunswick 

 which flow into the Gulf, in addition to the Salmon Fishery already 

 mentioned are those for Gaspereaux, Shad, Basse and Trout. 

 There are also Smelts, Eels, Flounders, and a great variety of 

 small fish. 



The Gaspereaux has been noticed under the head of Herring. 

 The fish is found in almost every River, and the Gasperaux fish- 

 ery has been considered of so much importance, that various Acts 

 of Assembly have, from time to time, been passed for its regulation 

 and protection. But these laws have either been neglected, or not 

 properly enforced, and this fishery is rapidly declining. Very 

 slight obstructions suffice to prevent the Gaspereaux from ascend- 

 ing streams to their old haunts ; the dams for mills, or for driving 

 timber, have shut them out in numerous instances from their best 

 spawning grounds, and the greatest injury has in this way been 

 inflicted on the fishery. 



The Shad (Alosa vulgaris of Cuvier) of the Gulf, are not taken 

 in such numbers, nor are they of so fine quality, as those caught 

 in the Bay of Fundy ; comparatively, they are dry and flavourless, 

 owing as is said, to the sandy character of the shores of the Gulf, 

 which are supposed to furnish less of the peculiar food of the Shad 

 than the muddy Rivers of the Bay of Fundy, where they are taken 

 in such high perfection. This fishery has also been mentioned in 

 several Acts of Assembly ; but the habits, and most usual resorts, 

 of the Shad of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, have not been care- 

 fully observed. It is not improbable, therefore, that a better 

 knowledge of the habits of the fish might lead to the fishery 

 becoming more valuable. 



The Basse, or Marine Perch, (Perca labrax of Cuvier) swim in 

 shoals along the coast, and frequently ascend the Rivers to a con- 

 siderable distance from the sea, to deposit their spawn. They are 

 taken of all sizes up to 20ft> weight, or even more; but those of 

 3 ft) to 5 lb are considered the best flavoured. They are some- 



