species can well be considered as high quality luxury products. 



The rapid and wide fluctuation from year to year In production of 

 several species makes It difficult for the Industry to maintain a good market 

 price. Deterioration In quality during lengthy storage conditions prevents the 

 fishery from holding supplies for a sufficiently long period to even out the 

 periods of low production. Research carried out by the Department, as well as 

 by lndusti»y Itself, Is seeking techniques for providing more constant supply of 

 fish. One of the Interesting aspects of this research Is the attempt to find 

 methods of harvesting smelt on a year round basis rather than taking almost all 

 of the year's production during the spring fishing. 



The use of cotton and linen for glll-nettlng has been almost wholly 

 discontinued. Nylon and other similar synthetic fibres are being used to a 

 greater extent for side lines to nets and In trap-net and pound-net manufacture. 

 It seems probable that the greater efficiency of "nylon" as a gill-net material 

 has contributed significantly to the marked Increase In total catch during the 

 past ten year period. 



On March 22nd, 1955 the fishery experienced one of the most severe 

 storms In Its history. Very great damage was Inflicted by waves and currents 

 both to shore Installations and to set nets In Lake Erie and Lake St, Clair, 

 Most unfortunate was the death by drowning of one fisherman who was swept off 

 his boat during the storm. Five boats were lost or very severely damaged In 

 the storm and only the extraordinary endurance and skill of the fishery boat 

 crews and captains prevented very much greater loss of life and equipment. 

 Loss of nets was made greater because the storm occurred during a period when 

 cold water conditions, as well as very high market prices, had encouraged the 

 fishermen to set a large percentage of their nets. Damage and loss of equipment 

 and loss of fish was estimated at well over one million dollars. Rapid recovery 

 of the Industry was accomplished during the year, being assisted by a high 

 production of fish in Lake Erie, 



Employment within the industry continued to be quite stable. The 

 number of persons engaged in fishing was reduced by 174 to 3,^83 men. This 



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