REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. f318 J 



this sliore last year, but the prices rule much lower. No. l's are selling 

 the present week for $11.25 per barrel, less than one-half the price they 

 brought at this time last year. Unless mackerel come in more freely 

 than they have, the season's catch will be light and prices must nec- 

 essarily advance. 



"The George's fishery has been prosecuted through the season by a 

 much larger fleet than usual, and most of them have realized very good 

 fares. The catch is greatly in excess of that of last year, and although 

 the prices have not been as remunerative, still the increase in catch will 

 more than make up the difference, and the vessels engaged in this 

 branch of the fisheries will make a very good season's work. 



"The Grand Bank halibut fleet have brought in rather light fares of 

 late, and prices have ruled low. About thirty sail of vessels are now 

 engaged in this branch of the fisheries, and the business, as a whole, 

 has proved but moderately successful." (Boston Journal, September 22.) 



"Bay saint laweencb mackerel fishery. — The mackerel fish- 

 ery for this season is rapidly drawing to a close. The shore fleet are 

 doing but little, and may soon be expected in our waters for a week or 

 two, preparatory to winding up the business for the year. The news 

 from the bay indicates a scarcity of mackerel, and, as rough weather 

 may soon be expected, a large portion of the fleet will soon be along. 

 The number of arrivals from the bay reported at Gloucester this season 

 has been fifty-two. The fares have been comparatively small, and the 

 quality poor, while prices have ruled much lower than the past few 

 years. The fares of 31 Gloucester vessels have been reported, ranging 

 from 1G0 to 450 barrels, and averaging 247 barrels, which will probably 

 be about the average of the fleet. Sixteen of the Portland fleet show 

 an average of 211 barrels, and 11 of the Newburyport fleet show an 

 average catch of 192 barrels. The average catch of the fleet from other 

 fishing towns, so far as reported, is equally small; Booth Bay 227 barrels, 

 North Haven 1G0, Wellfleet 140. Belfast 110, and New London 235. A 

 Salem vessel has landed 307 barrels, and one Frankfort vessel is reported 

 with a catch of 312 barrels and another with 620. Nineteen vessels re- 

 ported at Port M ul grave show an average catch of 200 barrels." (Glouces- 

 ter Telegraph, August 27.) 



1871. — Fall mackerel fishery in cape cod bay. 



Dennis.— On Wednesday a. m. (8th) the fishermen took 300 to 800 

 mackerel each in nets. 



Barnstable. — Smith Bros, caught 1,200 yesterday (14th). — (Province- 

 towu Advertiser, November 15, 1871.) 



1871. — In the Cape Ann Advertiser, of July 28, are the following re- 

 marks upon the mackerel fishery : 



"The mackerel season has now commenced in earnest, and good 

 returns are anticipated, as the season bids fair of being, a prosperous 

 one. The prospect at the bay is very encouraging, many of the fleet 



