46 



Fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. 



The number of barrels of Herrings exported from the several 

 Ports in the Counties of Restigouche, Gloucester, Northumberland, 

 and Kent, during the last eight years, is thus stated : — 



A large proportion of the Herrings exported from the Miramichi, 

 are of the description best known as the Gaspereaux or Alewife, 

 (Clupea vernalis) which leave the Sea, and ascend most of the 

 Rivers of the Gu! f, to *pawn. They are a thin, dry fish, much 

 inferior to the Sea Herring when salted ; they find a market in the 

 West Indies, as from their leanness, they are less liable to spoil in 

 a hot climate than the fat Herring.* 



From the preceding Table it appears clearly, that beyond fur- 

 nishing some portion of the food of the inhabitants of the Northern 

 Counties of New Brunswick, the magnificent and unlimited Her- 

 ring Fishery of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence and Bay of Chaleur, 

 barely furnishes a sufficient quantity for export to prevent Her- 

 rings being: altoo-ether omitted from the Returns. 



Of all the Fisheries of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, none could 

 be increased to a greater extent, or would furnish a more valuable 

 export, than the Herring Fishery, if placed under judicious regu- 

 lations, and conducted with greater skill and care. The manner 

 of taking Herrings by drift-nets in deep water, requires to be 

 generally known and adopted. At present, these excellent and 

 truly valuable Fish, which exist in the Gulf in myriads, during the 

 latter part of the season, when they are in the finest condition, are 

 only caught in sufficient quantities to furnish bait for Cod, and a 

 supply for domestic use. 



The Dutch mode of curing also requires to be introduced, in order 

 that the full flavour and fine quality of the Fish may be preserved. 

 If cured according to this approved mode, and properly packed in 



* Note in 1850. — Since this Report was first published, it has been as- 

 certained that Cuvier, and the Ameriean Naturalists, class the Alewife, 

 not as a Herring, but as a species of Shad, and designate it Mosa vernalis. 



