122 EEPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 



VESSEL FISHERIES OF BOSTON AND GLOUCESTER. 



The quantity of fishery products landed at Boston and Gloucester, 

 Mass., b}" American fishing vessels as their own catch in 1903 was 

 6,990 fares, consisting of 111,442,114 pounds of fresh fish, valued at 

 12,686,791, and 46,050,228 pounds of salted fish, valued at $1,743,240— 

 a total of 167,492,342 pounds, valued at 14,430,031. From banks east 

 of 66° west longitude there were 721 fares, amounting to 53,282,288 

 pounds, valued at $1,559,596, and from banks off the New England 

 coast west of that meridian 6,269 fares, with 104,210,054 pounds, 

 valued at $2,870,435. As compared with the returns for 1902 there 

 has been a decrease of 344 fares and of 10,462,533 pounds in the total 

 quantity of fish lauded, but an increase of $50,949 in the total value. 

 The falling off in quantity is no doubt largely due to inclement weather, 

 which, during the winter months and to some extent in the sum- 

 mer, frequently detained the vessels in port and also interfered with 

 their operations while on the fishing grounds, and the consequent 

 scarcity of fish at various times m&j partly account for the increase 

 in value. In this connection, however, it is noticed that 9,650,061 

 pounds of the decrease was in fish from the more distant fishing 

 grounds — east of QQ^ west longitude. The trips from that region were 

 less numerous and averaged considerably smaller than in the previous 

 year. There was also a slight falling off in the number of trips and 

 in the quantity of products landed from banks off the New England 

 coast, but the average size of the fares was greater. 



The receipts of fish at Boston from American fishing vessels during 

 the year was 3,818 trips, consisting of 78,383,472 pounds of fresh fish, 

 valued at $2,001,485, and 1,883,400 pounds of salted fish, valued at 

 $49,642; a total of 80,266,872 pounds, with a value of $2,051,127. Of 

 this product 224 trips, amounting to 10,470,560 pounds, valued at 

 $289,820, were from banks east of 66° west longitude, and 3,694 trips, 

 with 69,796,312 pounds, valued at $1,761,307, were from banks off the 

 New England coast. 



The number of trips landed at Gloucester was 3,172, having 33,058,- 

 642 pounds of fresh fish, valued at $685,306, and 44,166,828 pounds 

 of salted fish, valued at $1,693,698; a total of 77,225,470 pounds, 

 valued at $2,378,904. From the eastern banks there were 497 trips, 

 with 42,811,728 pounds, valued at $1,269,776, and from banks off the 

 New England coast 2,675 trips, with 34,413,742 pounds, valued at 

 $1,109,128. 



At Boston there was a decrease of 163 trips as compared with the 

 preceding year, but an increase of 1,292,876 pounds in the quantity 

 and of $8,489 in the value of the fish; and at Gloucester a decrease of 

 181 trips and of 11,755,409 pounds in quantity, but an increase of 

 $42,460 in value. 



