REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [240] 



1839 to 1846. — Nova Scotia fisheries. 



The exports of mackerel from the port of Halifax during the years 

 1839 to 1846 inclusive, show that considerable attention was given to 

 this fishery on the coasts of Nova Scotia thirty years ago * 



No. of barrels. 



1839 19, 127 



1840 25, 010 



1841 35, 917 



1842 54, 118 



1843 71,854 



1844 50,698 



1845 38,320 



1846 82, 645 



1847.— Scarcity of mackerel. 



The catch of mackerel thus far this season, says the Gloucester Tele- 

 graph, has been small in comparison with.that of the two past years. The 

 number of barrels taken on the coast has greatly diminished, and the 

 prospects being so unfavorable, many of our vessels have gone to the Bay 

 Chaleur. The fares that have arrived at this port are readily sold at 

 good prices as soon as landed, and are immediately shipped to the great 

 markets of New York and Philadelphia. — (Barnstable Patriot, October 

 6, 1847.) 



1847. — Unprofitableness of the mackerel fishery. 



Mackerel fishing has not prospered to such a degree as the cod-fish- 

 ery, none of the small number of crafts engaged in the business from 

 this port, having obtained a full cargo. — (Barnstable Patriot, October 

 13, 1847.) 



1847. — Abundance of mackerel about sable island. 



Mackerel were very abundant in the vicinity of Sable Island, and the 

 fisheries committee of the house of assembly of Nova Scotia urged the 

 granting of a bounty to all vessels engaged in the deep-sea mackerel 

 fishery. This was not adopted. — (Journal and Proceedings of the House 

 of Assembly of ttie Province of Nova Scotia, 1857, Appendix 75.) 



1845 to 1848. — Importance of the mackerel fishery. 



From the Barnstable Patriot we quote the following review of the 

 mackerel fishery of Massachusetts from 1845 to 1848 : 



"The yearly inspection of returns of mackerel, show plainly that there 

 is no more important branch of the fishing business carried on in this 



* Inspected. 



