REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 15 



increase of 529,156 pounds over the total quantity landed in the 

 previous year. Of the 1906 catch 39,090,106 pounds were taken on 

 banks west of the sixty-sixth meridian. 



The catch on the Pacific coast shows a slight decrease compared 

 w^ith the previous year. The total number of fish landed at San 

 Francisco and Puget Sound ports was 3,527,118, of which 2,407,500 

 were landed at the more southern points and 1,119,618 in the northern 

 region. This catch represents 14.108,472 pounds, a decrease of 

 459.528 pounds, or 114,882 fish, the average weight of the fish being 

 reckoned at 4 pounds. 



Hemng. — The American fleet engaged in the herring fishery in 

 Newfoundland waters in 1906 consisted of 62 vessels, in addition to 

 which 4 Canadian vessels were chartered by American fishermen. 

 There were also engaged in the fishery 27 Canadian and 55 Newfound- 

 land vessels, the latter mostly small craft. American vessels em- 

 ployed, in addition to their regular crews, 780 native fishermen 

 shipped outside the three-mile limit. The fishery was prosecuted in 

 practically the same manner as in the previous year, with the excep- 

 tion that a few purse seines were used early in the season. Although 

 the weather was unusually severe, the catch was large, that of the 

 American fleet amounting to 72,309 barrels of frozen and salted her- 

 ring, valued at approximately $392,340. Six American vessels were 

 lost. 



Haddoch. — This fishery has shown marked development in the last 

 few years, employing larger and improved vessels, and yielding a 

 larger catch. In 1906 the quantity taken amounted to 47,724,050 

 pounds landed at Boston and 13,871,787 at Gloucester, a total of 

 61,596,837 pounds, valued at $1,136,426. Since the beginning of 1907, 

 however, the supply of fresh haddock has at times exceeded the de- 

 mand, and many trips were split and salted. 



Pollock. — The supply of pollock in the Boston and Gloucester 

 markets in 1906 fell short of the 1905 yield by 12.000,000 pounds, 

 being 9,510,262 pounds, valued at $115,173, against 22,055,789 pounds, 

 valued at $216,534. Notwithstanding this large decrease, however, 

 the fishery as a whole is growing in importance. Pollock have been 

 unusually plentiful, and many large catches have been made in a 

 very short time. The fish are taken at all seasons, but the principal 

 fleet, composed mostly of small craft, is occupied in the fall. 



Hake and cask. — These fish, although not so erratic as pollock, 

 are much more abundant some years than others. In 1905 there 

 were marketed at Boston and Gloucester 32,265,471 pounds of hake 

 and cusk, against which 1906 afforded only 18,617,957 pounds, a de- 

 crease of 13.647,514 pounds. Considering the last few years, how- 

 ever, the fishery has shown a gratifying increase. 



