[317] HISTORY OF THE MACKEREL FISHERY* 



1871. — Notes ox the mackerel fisheries, etc., of the prov- 

 inces OF NEW BRUNSWICK AND NOVA SCOTIA. 



In bis report for 1871 Mr. Venning states that Mr. John Fitzgerald, 

 overseer for the western district, says : " The mackerel was more pro- 

 ductive this year than it has been for the last ten years, but the quality 

 was very poor. The fall mackerel have been a total failure ; and as this 

 fish, if of first quality, would bring a high price, the loss has been 

 seriously felt by the fishermen. The mackerel that have been caught 

 tins year have brought a very low price, but when the large quantity 

 taken is considered, the fishermen have no reason to complain." 



Mr. Daniel Diinock, overseer for the eastern district of Lunenburg, 

 says: "The shore fisheries in this district have been productive, more 

 especially the mackerel." 



In same report, Mr. Venning also stated that, " Overseer James A. 

 Tory, of Guysborough County, says with reference to his district: 'The 

 fisheries as a whole have been good this season, especiallyfor mackerel, 

 and although prices have ruled low they will compare favorably with 

 the past. 1 " 



In same report Mr. Venning further states that, "Mr. Francis Qui- 

 nan, the officer in charge of Cape Breton County, reports as follows: 

 1 The total quantity of fish taken is considerably above that of former 

 years. The run of mackerel was abundant, but of small size ; the large 

 brands were conspicuous by their absence; No. 3's ruled, and of their 

 kind were good, but the price realized in our markets was less than in 

 years past.'" — (Report of W. H. Venning, esq., inspector of fisheries 

 for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. An. Rep. Mar. and Fish., 1871, 

 Appendix ]S.) 



1871. — The mackerel fishery. 



The Cape Ann Advertiser of September 1 gives the following account 

 of the mackerel fishery in 1871 : 



"The fisheries. — The bay fleet come along slowly. There have been 

 but eleven arrivals thus far, the vessels averaging about 300 barrels 

 each. The quality of the mackerel is not as good as those taken off tins 

 shore, and but few number ones have as yet been landed, but the catch 

 of the present month and next will, no doubt, average much better. 

 Prices rule low, considering the small number of barrels landed this 

 year, and it will require pretty large fares to realize a paying season's 

 work. Late advices from the bay report mackerel scarce. 



"The shore fleet have done rather a slim business the past month. 

 Some of the seiners have made some good trips, but the hookers, with 

 a few exceptions, have done very poorly, the mackerel not inclining to 

 bite. Had it not been for the seiners the market would have been bare 

 of shore mackerel ; as it is, the catch has not been half as large as it was 

 up to this time last year. The mackerel average mostly ones and are 

 very large and fat, the quality being much better thau those caught oh' 



