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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVAL SERVICE 



8 GEORGE V, A. 1918 



larly favourable to its development. It may perhaps be found more plentifully and of 

 better quality farther up the river in localities more nearly approximating the condi- 

 tion in lakes. The other species are of good quality, but owing to their scarcity in this 

 area, have little commercial importance. 



METHODS OF THE DUNVILLE MUSSEL FISHERY. 



On my visit to the fishing grounds at Dunnville I found two gangs of men at work 

 on the river above the town; one at a distance of about two miles, and the other some 

 five and one-half miles farther on, near Morgan's island. In the former locality they 

 had a pile of shells which would weigh about five tons. These were fished and shelled 

 in about three and one-half days, by two men and two boys. The men did the fishing, 

 while one boy ran the gasolene launch and the other removed the meat from the shells. 

 The outfit for procuring the clams consists of tw^o scows fastened rigidly together by a 

 plank at each end. The distance between the scows is 4 or 5 feet. The men stand on 

 the stern plank while operating the scoops. The scoop, or dip-net is a dipper-like 

 apparatus with a handle of from 12 to 18 feet in length. The bowl consists of a wire 

 cage about 16 inches in depth, and is attached to a triangular iron frame, 16 inches 

 to a side. Thus the opening of the scoop is triangular and works in the manner of 

 a dredge. To assist in the raking of the beds by this scoop, a number of iron spikes 

 about 3 inches long are fastened to the lower part of the triangular frame, 

 and are set about 3 inches apart. This helps to draw the scoop into the river 

 shown and are set about 3 inches apart. This helps to draw the scoop into the river 

 bed. A line passes from the lower end of the scoop to the forward plank and this is 

 of such a length as to allow the handle to stand vertically against the stern plank. 

 The whole outfit is towed by a gasolene launch. The scows, though varying in size, 

 are about 16 feet long by 3J feet wide and 14 inches deep. The following diagram 

 may serve to illustrate the fishing outfit in operation: — 



To La unch • 



Fi?. 1. 



In order to remove the mussels from their shells they are subjected to boiling in 

 water. This kills the animal, causes the relaxation of the jxtwerful adductor 

 muscles, which hold the valves together, and permits the easy removal of the muscles 

 from their attachment on the valves. The boiling pans vary in size, but are usually 

 about 6 feet long by 4 feet wide and 8 inches deep. 



The bed near Morgan's island is about \ mile long and 50 feet wide. Here the 

 bottom is gravelly, and although the shells are numerous and of good quality, the 

 number of dead ones is considerably larger than farther down the river, where the 

 bottom is muddy. 



Last year the shelling was done below the town at a point a mile north of Port 

 Maitland. Here 265 tons were taken from an area less than | of a mile in length. 

 The bed. I am told, showed no signs of depletion. This year the fishing has been done 

 above the town, and although about 260 tons have been taken, the ground is apparently 

 not as productive as was anticipated. 



