130 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [40] 



that the mackerel which are on our coast in the region of Cape Cod and 

 south of that, or anywhere near that, ever come down the coast here 

 and pass Halifax. I have uever thought that they did so; but then I 

 cannot bring evidence to prove that they did. I never saw mackerel 

 between Cape Sable and Cape Canso, though I have seen some at Louis- 

 burg, on the soutli shore of Cape Breton Island, when I was there once. 

 I never saw these mackerel, but I fully believe that mackerel do come 

 in the spriug uorthward by Halifax, and again pass this way in the fall. 

 But then 1 think that after the mackerel which pass Halifax get to Cape 

 Sable they pass oft' 1 he coast. 



"Q. I wish you to state how late in the season you have successlully 

 fished at the Magdalen Islands ? — A. I could not remember the date ex- 

 actly; but r shouhl think that we never staid at these islands later than 

 about the lirst of October, though it may liave been the 10th of that 

 month; but that is about the latest period. 



"Q. Have you found mackerel good in quantity at the Magdaleas as 

 late as the first of October ' — A. I think that is the case. I believe 

 that it was October befor<! we left these islands the first year 1 was there; 

 and we caught mackeicl Just before we left them," 



Mr. A. B. Rich, of Provincetown, Mass., makes the following remarks 

 concerning the migrations and movements of mackerel: 



"Mackerel come along the const from the south. When the water be- 

 comes cold the> strike oft" into the dei)ths. It is quite likely that they 

 spend the winter at the south, at points where the water is about as 

 cold as along the Massiicluisetts coast in the summer time. They are 

 first seen in June, and steadily increase until September, when the main 

 body makes its :i])pearance. The first run is the smallest. Their ap- 

 pearance is n'gular and certain. In November these fish begin to leave, 

 and withdraw by degrees. Both sexes come together and the spawn of 

 the female seems to be juature when they first ai)pear. Very few mack- 

 erel will take the hook at first, but do so alter the spawning season is 

 over. Their jirrival is known by their cai)ture only, for they swim low. 

 Very little spawn luns out of the niackerel caught witli a hook, but 

 large quantities out of those captured in nets. Mackerel are not anad- 

 romous. No small (ish are seen on the breeding grounds. Mackerel 

 seem to like deep water whei>' the lempcr.iture is about 48° or 50°. 

 About 20 iatlioms is tlieir usual depth." 



Mr. Noah Mayo, of Boston, IMass., makes the following statements 

 concerning the movements of mackerel: 



"Mackerel come on this coast from the south, making their first ap- 

 pearance oft" Cape Ilatteras and along the coast to Long Island. So 

 along the Massacliusetts ami Maine coasts as it grows latei-, going into 

 the Bay of Fundy and into the Bay of Chaleur and Gulf of Saint Law- 

 rence. All mackerel found in the Bay of Chaleur come from the Amer- 

 ican waters. Most of them ])ass b(>tween (xcorge's Bank and Cape Cod 

 on their journey from the south to tlieir suminer resort. They leave by 



