89 



the streams of minor size, where no obstructions exist, and where the 

 water is not muddy, the pursuit is still attended with some success and 

 profit. 



In some other places the fishery, but for the wanton and lawless de- 

 struction of the fish, without reference to its condition or the season of 

 the year, might be carried on advantageously. 



To the people of the city of St. John the annual catch of salmon is a 

 source of gain. The fisheries of the harbor, by a provision in the city 

 charter, belong to the citizens, or "freemen." The fishing grounds or 

 stations are lotted out, and sold at auction every year for the benefit of 

 those who are entitled to them under the charter. The practical fish- 

 ermen are the purchasers. The lots are of unequal value, and some 

 merely nominal. The number of salmon taken at St. John in 1850 was 

 estimated at 32,000, which sold, whether large or small, at the con- 

 tract price of one dollar each — except a small part for city consump- 

 tion — to be packed in ice and sent to Boston. Drift-nets and weirs are 

 used in the fishery, though the former are prohibited by law. Fisher- 

 men deprecate the use of torch and spear; but both are sometimes seen 

 in the hands of lumberers and gentlemen sporters. The salmon is found 

 on the St. John, two hundred miles from the sea, and on several of its 

 tributaries nearer to the ocean. On the Nerepis, one of its branches, 

 on which no mill-dams have been erected, there is a fishery of note— 

 from 1,500 to 2,000 being taken annually. 



It will be seen that the exportation of cured salmon from New Bruns- 

 wick ceased entirely in 1848 — the whole catch, not required for con- 

 sumption, having been packed in ice, and shipped fresh. 



Statistics of the salmon fishery, 

 EXPORTS, CANADA. 



