REPORT OF COMMISIIOXER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [278] 



1861. — Spring mackerel fishery. 



The mackerel fleet. — Sixty barrels, the largest trip caught yet. 

 — (May 31, page 2, column 2, Cape Aun Weekly Advertiser, 1861.) 



1861. — Unfavorable news from the southern fleet. — sailing 

 of the first of the bay fleet. 



Schooner u Shooting Star" arrived from the south on Tuesday, with 60 

 barrels mackerel; reports poor catch for most of the fleet; one or two 

 have above 80 barrels. 



About a dozen of the fleet have sailed for the bay, and quite a num- 

 ber are fitting away and will sail in a few days. Last year at this time 

 there were many more vessels on their way to the bay than the present 

 season. 



There is yet a large stock of last year's catch on the wharves. Last 

 year the catch of the previous season was exhausted long before June. 

 —(Cape Ann Advertiser, June 7, 1861.) 



1861. — A BIO SCHOOL OF MACKEREL IN GLOUCESTER HARBOR. — 

 GOOD CATCH OFF ROCKPORT. 



A large school of mackerel made their appearance in the harbor on 

 Wednesday afternoon ; some twenty boats were present, and there was 

 quite a successful catch ; many of the mackerel were of good size. 



Fiv^e wherry-loads of mackerel were taken in a seine, off Eockport, at 

 one haul, on Wednesday of last week. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, August 

 30, I860.) 



1861 — First arrival from the bay. 



Schooner "Arcturus " arrived from the bay on Tuesday, with 210 barrels 

 mackerel, absent six weeks. This is the first arrival of the season Jroin 

 the bay, and is somewhat earlier than usual, as vessels rarely arrive be- 

 fore August 1. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, July 19, 1861.) 



1861. — Quick bay trips. 



Schooner "Joseph Story" returned from the bay : gone but little over 

 four weeks ; returning with a good fare. Schooner " Queen of the West," 

 gone five weeks. These we believe are the shortest bay trips that were 

 ever made from this port, the usual time of making a voyage being from 

 ten to twelve weeks, and sometimes longer. Eight weeks is considered 

 good time for a vessel in the bay fishing. 



The mackerel, which have been schooling off this shore the past 

 month, have struck off to other waters, consequently our market has 

 been without its usual share of fresh mackerel of late. — (Cape Ann Ad- 

 vertiser, August 23, 1861.) 



