394 KEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [304] 



1868. — Influence of the mackerel fishery on the welfare of 



the fishing towns. 



The success of the mackerel fleet, both at the bay and off-shore, is 

 looked forward to with deep interest. There is much depending upon 

 the fall catch. — (Oape Ann Advertiser, September 15, 1868.) 



1868. — Scarcity of mackerel attributed to bluefish. 



Bluefish have been unusually plenty on this coast the preser# season, 

 and the fishermen attribute the scarcity of mackerel to this fact. They 

 are great destroyers of smaller fish, especially of mackerel, and when- 

 ever they come, the " small fry " get away as soon as possible. — (Cape Ann 

 Advertiser, September 25, 1868.) 



1868. — Successful 'catches made by the seiners off the new 

 eng-land coast. — unfavorable news from the bay. 



The weather the past week has been very favorable for the shore fleet, 

 and the seiners have had pretty good luck, some of them taking from 

 100 to 150 barrels in one day. The mackerel, however, do not take the 

 hook very readily. They are of large size, and if the good weather 

 holds on the fleet will yet have an opportunity of making up a fair sea- 

 son's work. The baymen are picking up a few mackerel when the 

 weather is favorable; but the catch there will not be large, and those 

 vessels that succeed in making even one good trip will be fortunate. 

 Late advices from there are not very encouraging. — (Cape Ann Adver- 

 tiser, October 2, 1868.) 



1868. — Arrivals from the bay. — slim doings. 



Fifty-six sail of vessels have arrived from the bay since our last issue? 

 most of them with light fares. There are upwards of 100 sail yet to ar- 

 rive, most of which will be along by the middle of the month. So far 

 as we can learn the vessels will average about 150 barrels each, which 

 is rather slim doings for those that have been down there all the season. 

 There will be quite a falling off in the catch — fully one-half. — (Cape Ann 

 Advertiser, November 6, 1868.) 



A large portion of the bay fleet have arrived the present week, leav- 

 ing about 10 sail to come. In consequence of the light catch the market 

 is very active, and fares are sold as soon as landed. Prices are improv- 

 ing, sales yesterday being effected at $22, and the probability is that 

 they will go still higher. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, November 13, 1868. 



1868.^SAD RESULTS of the FAILURE OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY 



IN 1868. 



The mackereliug season is rapidly drawing to a close, and with some 

 few exceptions the profits are on the wrong side of the ledger. Every- 



