REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [344] 



catch in the bay last year was GO, 749 barrels of mackerel, of which 

 20,202 barrels, of a value of $84,848, were taken within the three-mile 

 line, for which latter privilege we have paid §450,000 in cash (without 

 including interest) and probably as much more in remission of duties. — 

 (Cape Ann Advertiser, January 40, 1879.) 



1878. — Keview of the new England mackerel fishery. 



The annual report of the Boston Fish Bureau for 1878 gives the fol- 

 lowing review of the mackerel fishery for that year: 



The season opened unusually early. Schooner " Lillian," sailing March 

 12, landed the first fresh mackerel April G, followed a few days later by 

 50 sail, with from 100 to 150 barrels each of mixed fish of poor quality, the 

 early catch resulting, as usual, in a loss to nearly all as well as an injury 

 to the trade. We hope to see its discontinuance in the future. The 

 catch early gave promise of being larger than for years, very soon fell 

 off, and was followed with fluctuation and but partial success off our 

 own shores as well as in the Gulf of Saint Jjawrence, a large tleet going 

 there doing worse than those that remained near home, the fish proving 

 of inferior qualitj' in either case. The value of the fisheries in English 

 waters to the United States the past season is not far from 6,200 barrels 

 of mackerel of not over $5 a barrel value, the total Bay or Gulf of Saint 

 Lawrence catch of fish being 62,000 barrels, not over 10 per cent, of 

 which was taken within the three-mile limit. The total Massachusetts 

 catch was 144,205 barrels, a gain of 39,187 barrels over 1877, the shrink- 

 age in value making the catch no more profitable. Total receipts in 

 Boston in 1878, 143,0L'8 ; in 1877, 142,024. Never in the memory of the 

 oldest dealers has the price been as low on inferior grades as this season, 

 while the average price has not been as low in twenty or more years. 

 Choice mackerel having been scarce all the season, have sustained a 

 good price', a wide margin from the highest to the lowest ranging from 

 $25 down to $1.50 per barrel. 



1879. — Failure of the gulf of saint lawrence mackerel fish- 

 eries. 



Gloucester, Mass., August 19, 1879. 

 Advices from Collector Babson, who is cruising in the Bay of Saint 

 Lawrence, represent that mackerel fishing in the bay this season is a. 

 complete failure. Many firms are going out of the business. — (New 

 York Herald, August 19, 1879.) 



1879. — Abundance of mackerel off the new England coast, 

 and scarcity in the bay. 



Bath, Me., August 28, 1879. 



Dear Sir: It may interest you to know the present condition of the 

 Portland mackerel fisheries, as I learn it from conversation with several 

 of the more prominent dealers of the place. 



