1899 ] GAME AND FISHERIES. 41 



There seemed, after considerable argument, to be a consensus of opinion that a close 

 season on the St. Lawrence for bass from the 15th of April to the 15th of June, the sea- 

 son at present in force on both sides of the river, was the proper one, and that a shorten- 

 ing thereof, as had been suggested, to the 9th of June would be to the prejudice of the 

 fisheries, while its only advantage would be to the hotel men. 



There will be in the opinion of the undersigned in the near future a means of earn- 

 ing a livelihood on the River St. Lawrence which will be more remunerative to our fish- 

 ermen than fishing, namely, as guides and boatmen, in case netting is prohibited. There 

 are said to be fully four hundred men who obtain employment on the other side of the 

 river in this capacity and who earn from $2.50 to $5 per day. The flood of traffic must, 

 it is believed, soon be directed to the Canadian side, as the capacity of American hotels, 

 etc., has been more than taxed during the last two years. 



Licenses, 



During the year licenses to fish with 1,644,393 fathoms of gill net, 405 pound nets, 

 492 hoop or fyke nets, 68 seines, 87 dip nets, 4 machines and several thousand baited 

 hooks were issued. Each licence contains various conditions applicable to the fishing 

 for which it is obtained, and the policy of the department is to issue licenses only to 

 B itish subjects. 



Despite the fact that the same policy had for some years been adopted by the Federal 

 Government, this department found upon assuming the administration of the Fisheries 

 that the fishing industry of the great lakes was practically controlled by American com- 

 panies, which have established supply houses, agencies for the purchase of fish, etc., at 

 different points on the lakes. This control, which had been acquired through the in- 

 ability of the fishermen to discharge liabilities incurred for nets, supplies, etc., furnished 

 by the companies, still continues to some extent. The licenses are applied for and issued 

 in the names of the fishermen, but there is reason to believe that most of the substantial 

 profits pass to the companies, while the fishermen themselves in many cases occupy to 

 the companies positions little better than those of day laborers. 



Receipts and Expenditure. 



The net revenue from all sources for the year amounted to $30,940.79. The expen- 

 diture for all purposes was $22,041. 



The Season's Catch. 



The fishermen's returns show that the season's operations have in nearly all parts of 

 the province been most gratifying. The aggregate catch amounts to 28,755,721 lbs., (an 

 increase of 2,189,298 lbs over the catch of 1898), the estimated value of which is 

 $1,590,447.07 ; 2,430 men, 109 tugs and 1,033 boats were engaged in the industry, 

 representing an estimated capital of $782,504. 



Statistics. 



Appended hereto is a list of the overseers and the districts for which they were ap- 

 pointed ; a synopsis of their reports so far as obtained ; and a table showing the number 

 and value of tugs, boats, etc., employed in fishing, and of the quantity and value of fish, 

 etc., taken. Every effort has been made that the returns should be as full and accurate 

 as possible, these having been required to be made on oath where it was practicable for 

 the fishermen to make declaration. 



The year's operations must under all the circumstances be considered to have been 

 very satisfactory. 



Respectfully submitted, 



S. T. Bastedo, 

 30th December, 1899. Deputy Commissioner. 



