Fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 93 



1838 375,361 1844 685,530 



1839 437,501 1845 -352,202 



1840 631,385 1846 



1841 417,115 1847 436,831 



1842 344,683 1848 521,004 



1843 651,370 



The outfit for the " Seal Fishery " from the various Harbours o^ 

 Newfoundland in the year 1847, was as follows: — 



Vessels. Tons. Men. 



321 29,800 9,751 



Sealing among the ice, is also prosecuted, in early spring, at the 

 Magdalen Islands; and also on the Labrador Coast, by the people 

 who remain there during the winter in charge of the Fishing 

 Stations, and the conduct of the Fur Tra le. Seals are also caught 

 at Labrador on the plan first adopted, by strong nets set across 

 such narrow channels as they are in the habit of passing through. 



Within a few years, the ' ; Seal Fishery " has been commenced 

 at Cape Breton, encouraged by a small Provincial bounty ; it has 

 been conducted in vessels not over 40 tons burthen, with crews of 

 eight men. In 1843, twenty -two vessels went to the ice from 

 Cheticamp and Margaree, and returned with near 10,000 Seals, 

 which are stated to have amply requited those engaged in the 

 adventure, as their outfit was on a very limited scale. In 1842, 

 an enterprising Merchant of Sydney fitted out a Sealing vessel, on 

 the Newfoundland scale, which in the short space of three weeks 

 cleared the round sum of £14,000 ; and this extraordinary success 

 encouraged others to enter into the business. 



As yet, Sealing is altogether unknown to the inhabitants of New 

 Brunswick; although it is believed that the adventure might be 

 made successfully, by vessels departing from the north eastern 

 extremity of the Province. 



The Harbour Seal (Phoca vitulina) is frequently seen along the 

 coasts of New Brunswick during the summer season, and is believed 

 not to be migratory. They are closely watched by the Micmao 

 Indians, who often succeed in shooting them. The fur of these 

 Seals is sometimes very handsome ; and the animal is always a rich 

 piize to the poor Micmac. 



SHELL FISn. 



Under this head may be enumerated Lobsters, Oysters, Clams, 

 Mussels, Whelks, Razor-fish, Crabs, and Shrimps, all of which are 

 found in the Gulf, in the greatest abundance, and of excellent 



