REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [292] 



deserted appearance. Last year at this time about all of the bayinen 

 had arrived from their first trips, and the cullers, coopers, and packers 

 were up to their eyes in business. Should the vessels succeed in getting 

 good trips this fall, they will make a fair season's work if mackerel con- 

 tinue at present prices ; but the aggregate catch will fall far short of 

 last year's, and the business prove far less lucrative. The shore fleet 

 have met with rather poor success the past fortnight, and but few mack- 

 erel have been landed. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, August 31, 1866.) 



1866. — Mackerel in Gloucester harbor. 



Mackerel have been quite plenty in our harbor the present week, and 

 the small boats have done a very good business in catching them. Some 

 of them were very large and fat. — (Cape Ann Advertiser, September 7, 

 1866.) 



1866. — Decided advance in prices. 



The market continues firm and prices are greatly advanced on those 

 of last season. No. 1 are $6 higher ; No. 2 show an increase of $5 and 

 No. 3, $3.75. 



About 2,000 barrels (bay) in the market. Last sales at $22.50, $17.50, 

 and $13.25 for Nos. 1, 2, and 3. Shore in light receipt; sales of No. 1 

 at $22.75.— (Ibid.) 



1866. — The mackerel fishery. 



There have been 42 arrivals from the bay since our last issue, the ves- 

 sels averaging about 200 barrels apiece. About one-third of the fleet 

 have now arrived home from their first trips, and as the season has now 

 become so far advanced there will probably be but few, if any, more 

 arrivals for the present, as it will be too late to return for a second trip. 

 Mackerel have slightly declined the past week, owing to the late arriv- 

 als, but the probability is the prices will again advance, as the stock 

 on hand will not begin to supply the demand constantly being made on 

 our market. Some of the shore fleet have done pretty well of late, but 

 the seiners have hot met with very good luck. — (Cape Anu Advertiser, 

 September 14, 1866.) 



1866.— Rough weather in the bay. — the fleet expected home. 



There have been seven arrivals from the bay the past week, one at 

 Aunisquam from her second trip, and six at this port from their first 

 trips. They report very rough weather in the bay the past month, and 

 there is scarcely one day out of a week that is suitable for fishing. The 

 vessels that have arrived home during the past fortnight will not return 

 for a second trip, but will make up their season's work on this shore. 

 The shore mackerel fleet have not done much lately, but there is yet 

 opportunity of doing something next month should the mackerel con- 

 tinue on the coast. * * * 



