REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 77 



numbers. While duuiiig tlie past three years there was a slight ten- 

 dency toward an increase in numbers, the fish are much scarcer than 

 they were eight or ten years ago. 



Georges Bank, the most celebrated fishing-ground off the coast of 

 New England, continues to be the chief resort for the large fleets hail- 

 ing from Gloucester, Boston, Provincetown, and other ports, especially 

 those vessels engaged in supplying the increasing demand for fresh 

 salt-water fish. During the spring the catch of cod was light, but in 

 the fall the fish were more abundant. Haddock were more numerous 

 than for many years. Many vessels, returning after a few days' fishing, 

 brought from 80,000 to 100,000 pounds of fresh fish, chiefly haddock. 

 The market was often overstocked with haddock, and the surplus had 

 to be cured. 



A somewhat interesting phenomenon attended the operations of the 

 vessels frequenting Georges Bank. During the great abundance of 

 haddock on Georges Bank cod were very scarce on the same grounds. 

 This, in the opinion of many fishermen, was owing to the habit of 

 throwing the ofifal overboard, thus covering the feeding-grounds and 

 driving the cod away, although why the haddock were not also affected 

 by the ofi'al is not clear. During the scarcity of cod on Georges they 

 were unusually plentiful on Cashes Bank and Jeffreys Ledge, adjoining 

 grounds. 



