report of commissioner of fish and fisheries. [276] 



Hook and line fishing off the new England coast. 



The shore fleet. — The largest trip brought into this port is by the 

 " Sunnyside," 200 barrels, after an absence of three weeks. Schooner 

 " Ripple" arrived lately with 100 barrels in 10 days. — (Cape Ann Adver- 

 tiser, August 24, 1860.) 



18G0. — Spring and gulf mackerel fishery. 



The Cape Ann Advertiser of May 4, 1860, remarks: 

 "A few vessels have started for the south to prosecute the mackerel 

 fishery. The number will be less than any previous season, owing to 

 the ill- success of this branch of the fisheries of late. A large number 

 will leave for Bay Chaleur the latter part of May and early in June, as 

 the George's fishery is not very profitable at present." 



1860. — The southern mackerel fleet. 



The Cape Ann Advertiser of June 8, 1860, announces that six vessels 

 had arrived since the last issue of the paper, the average being 100 

 barrels, and the prospect very good. 



I860. — Spring and gulf mackerel fishery. 



The Cape Ann Advertiser of June 15, 1860, states as follows : 

 "The southern fleet have nearly all arrived home and are fitting away 

 for the bay. Late arrivals report the mackerel as being very small, 

 the large ones having struck off to other waters; evidently the mack- 

 ereling season at the south is about over. Vessels did better than last 

 year." 



1860. — Fishing on the coast of maine. 



Mackerel of good size are swarming the eastern shores of Maine, and 

 take the hook very readily. The largest haul brought into this port is 

 160 barrels, by schooner "Electric Flash," all caught on hook in about 

 ten days. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, August 10, 1860.) 



1860. — The fall mackerel fishery in cape cod bay. 



The Gloucester Telegraph of December 19, 1860, quotes from a recent 

 number of the Yarmouth Register to the effect that mackerel had never 

 been more numerous in Cape Cod Bay than during the four preceding 

 weeks. They would not bite, but were caught in great abundance in 

 nets. One man took from his nets set in Provincetown Harbor 3,000 

 mackerel, valued at 7 cents apiece. 



November 23, mackerel were very abundant off Billingsgate Toint. 

 The Yarmouth Register stated that they were being taken in Cape Cod 

 Bay in the latter part of November in large numbers. 



On November 24 the Lieutenant's Island weir, at South Wellfleet, 



