32 THE REPORT OF THE [ No. 68 



severe storms prevailed. This weather lasted during the months of November 

 and December, and spoiled what would otherwise have been an exceptional catch 

 of herrings. 



About two-thirds of the catch is exported to the United States, via Dunn- 

 ville, and the balance is used for home consumption. 



He reports the seizure of one seine, which was confiscated. 



The close season and other fishery regulations were well observed. 



Overser Ellis, lort Erie, 



Reports the catch of fish in his division to be about the same as last year. 

 Nearly all the fish caught are exported to the United States, very little being 

 used for home consumption. 



The close seasons were strictly observed. 



Overseer Mitchell, Grimsby : 



Reports that the fishing season was very poor owing to the severe storms 

 which prevailed. Many of the nets were carried away and the fishermen were 

 compelled to engage in other employment. 



The fisheries of the Niagara River are suffering through excessive fishing on 

 the United States side. Seven machines as well as a number of seines were 

 worked day and night, Sundays included, and fish were taken without any regard 

 for fishery laws of any kind. 



The absence of young whitefish was very noticeable this season ; all the 

 whitefish taken were large. The herring fishing, considering the severe weather, 

 was very good. 



Overseer Ogg, Hamilton. : 



States that the fishermen of his division obeyed the laws in every way, and 

 that there was only one case of illegal fishing during the season. The culprit was 

 fined early in the season, and it had .1. beneficial effect. The catch of whitefish 

 was small, but those captured were of an increased size ; this he attributes partly 

 to the change of feeding grounds. Herring was plentiful and prices good, and, 

 taken altogether, the season was good. 



The decreased catch as compared with last year is accounted for by the fact 

 that there were not so many engaged in the business, and that of those who fished 

 several did noi: fish the whole season ; and again, several others had the mis- 

 ortune to lose some of their nets by storm. 



All the fish taken were disposed of in Hamilton and the surrounding district. 



There were no abuser in the division, and the close seasons were strictly 

 observed. 



No violations of the Act respecting sawdust, etc., came under his notice. 



Angling in Burlington Bay was good, and no bass were taken under the 

 legal size. 



Overseer Sargant, Bronte : 



Reports that the fishing season was very profitable to the fishermen, there 

 having been a large increase in the run of herring, and the prices were better than 

 usual. A number of new markets in western Ontario have been opened, which 

 enables the fishermen to obtain better prices. The new specie of herring referred to 

 in his report of last year is increasing in number, and he has every reason to believe 

 that they will become just as numerous as the ciscoe were in former years. They 

 are much larger and bring better prices than the ci*coe. There was an increase 

 in the catch of bass in the Twelve and Sixteen Mile creeks, and some fine speci- 

 mens were captured with the rod and line. The small catch of whitefish and 

 salmon trout in the division is due to the fact that the fishermen devote most of 

 their time to fishing for herring. Large quantities of coarse fish were taken in 



