REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [2^] 



finest schools of mackerel that was ever known to enter these waters. 

 Those who set nets on Thursday and Friday nights were exceedingly 

 fortunate. On both of those nights every net meshed more or less iish, 

 while some of them were so loaded with mackerel as to sink ; some men 

 took as high as 1,500 in one night from their nets. These mackerel are 

 large and fat, packing about 200 per barrel. All those fish do not take 

 the hook at this season of the year; those who expect a share of them 

 are under the necessity of providing themselves with nets. To knit 

 these affords employment during the winter to those who follow the 

 business or are hired by them. The success of those who have supplied 

 themselves with this apparatus for taking these mackerel is an incentive 

 to others, who have neglected to provide it, to spend their leisure 

 moments in furnishing themselves with the means of obtaining a share 

 with their neighbors in future years. While the profits of the mackerel 

 taken in the bay last week will not in all cases, perhaps, fall into the 

 hands of the most needy, they will be quite generally distributed and 

 many, both in this town and Truro, are to be congratulated most heart- 

 ily on their good fortune. Last night 2,000 mackerel were taken off 

 here in three nets — a great haul." — (Barnstable Patriot, December 7, 

 1858.) 



1859. — Decline of the southern mackerel fishery. — small 

 fleet from gloucester. 



The practice of going south for mackerel has almost died out of late 

 years, and this year there are but three or four vessels in the business. 

 Some of the vessels who go in quest of bait, however, take mackereliug 

 apparatus with them, to use in case they should be so fortunate as to 

 fall in with a school. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, May 20, 1859.) 



1859. — Growing importance of gill-net fishing at cape cod. 



Net mackereling seems to be a growing and important business. The 

 absence of the bluefish in the bay seems to be hailed with inward satis- 

 faction by the citizens of Proviucetown, and they confidently predict 

 the return of the palmy days of profitable boat and net fishing, and the 

 consequent thrift to their town if this piratical enemy of almost every 

 other species of fish has taken his final departure from their waters. — 

 (Cape Ann Advertiser, July 1, 1859.) 



1859. — Spring mackerel fishing. 



Schools of mackerel reported in Boston Bay June 5-10, 1859. Several 

 vessels returned from the south with good fares. Fleet has been small, 

 but those that have been engaged in this southern fishery did better 

 1 han the average of seasons. Largest catch, 140 barrels of small mack- 

 erel, selling at $9 50. 



