{73] MATERIALS FOR A HISTORY OF THE SWORD-FISHES. 361 
2. The gill-net fishery. 
Calabria. Sicily. 
oausolpouTee CONS, DULGEN -<.js cs ce ces iscic nis sisecie science desc cscces 80-90 50 
Hishermenwecesers ceccciecc cee caine cates ccrseiieele soo cieeer tiecitcistcoae 650 400 
“The fishery is extremely productive. On the coasts of Sicily a gang 
of fishermen frequently capture fifty fish, each weighing from 100 to 200 
kilograms, in a single day, and on the Calabrian coast, 20 fish. 
“The following table shows the average annual catch in Sicily and 
Calabria : 
1. The harpoon fishery. 
OngiheiCalabrianicodstiercsstwcccte coos, se eeicrs ac’oea Goce eeee wees cine cesewe ce 60, 000 
Or therSicilismiCoasuers ces cioeciss cashivs wesc cc\s aciersia sce secctie c Uwe cebsivcceeis cee 40, 000 
2. The gill-net fishery. 
Oni the) Calabrianicoast= is. sss1.-tueccecceees ce nnd slet eee Sek eater oes 25, 000 
Oat MOSS Cll anacOAg theese kiseciere cine clase Seisines oie elos seine cetieccieeeaseneteses 15, 000 
‘The products of the fishery are consumed principally in Sicily and on 
the mainland of Italy. A portion, however, is preserved in salt or oil, 
and sometimes exported. The flesh of the Sword-fish is excellent when 
fresh, and is not so liable to become soft when canned as that of the 
tunny or horse-mackerel. It, therefore, always commands a high price. 
“Tt has been claimed that, in order to prevent a decline in the fishery, 
hook-fishing should be prohibited from the middle of January to the 
first of April, and that a fine should be imposed on those who capture the 
young fish. It has been suggested also that no nets should be allowed 
to be set in the Straits of Messina within 200 meters from the shore. 
“The result of the experiments in artificial hatching of Sword-fish in 
certain inclosures and marshes in the vicinity of Il Faro appears to be 
somewhat uncertain ; but, at all events, they may open the way for more 
practical and successful operations in the future.” 
L—PRODUCTS OF THE FISHERY. 
57.—RECORD OF A GLOUCESTER SCHOONER FOR THE SEASON OF 1878. 
As an example of the manner in which a season of swordfishing is 
passed, and of the yield of a very successful period of work, a record is 
here given of the trips of the schooner “ Northern Eagle”, of Glouces- 
ter, Capt. George H. Martin. 
Trips of schooner ‘‘Northern Eagle”, Capt. George H. Martin. 
ea Date of start. a to! No. of fish taken. Where sold. | Price. 
Days: Oents 
DOM DMINO Wi Sats omiccice tee cess cases 10 16 (5,000 Ibs.) IBOBUON soccer se ve 3 
Spalehan lO eee we es 7 22 (6,600 lbs.) |....do....... ---- 4h 
Sw ePUNCIBO see tw osat celccccacicicceces 14 12 (3,700 Ibs.) Newport. .....-. 2+ 
SP OM cence can css soc oc 11 20 (5,800 lbs.) Boston.<<<<.sss- 3 
De WNULy Qi eccseeccecccclsc cmc ese 18 37 (9,000 Lbs.) S820) tecococces 5 
Ga PATOTISO OMe cst occcec bee cees.s 15 26 (6, 500 lbs.) weet AO cacsesaeaas 3 
TW ppeptember Lecescccccscesecs sess 16 16 (5, 600 lbs ) Best U0 se ccceces cs (2) 
8 | September 20................... 14 14 (4,500 lbs.) Bee OO nenoccneses (3) 
163 (46, 700 Ibs.) 
