REPORT 



DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES 



FOR THE YEAR 



1902. 



To the Honorable F. R. Latchford, Commissioner of Fisheries for Ontario : 



The undersigned has the honour to submit the report of the workings of 

 this department for the year ending 31st December, ly02. 



Special attention is invited to the fact that the revenue of the department 

 has increased from, in round numbers, $30,000 in 1899 to $40,000 in 1902, the 

 actual revenue for the year being $40,140.70. 



The total expenditure was $33,514.44. 



The fishing season opened earlier than for many years. The Georgian Bay 

 was practically clear of ice on the 10th April, the " Gilphie" leaving port on that 

 day on her annual patrol. 



The season's operations, notwithstanding the extremely rough weather 

 which was experienced at frequent intervals during the year, and to which is in 

 a large measure attributed the falling ott in the quantity of fish taken, have 

 been, on the whole, in view of the high prices which obtained, more generally 

 satisfactory than they would otherwise have been. Lake Erie herring are said 

 to have one day during the season sold at 1 3 cents per pound. 



Licenses to fish with 2,538,673 yards of gill net, 479 pound nets, 479 hoop 

 nets, 98 seines, 22 dip nets and 3 machin< s, besides several thousand hooks, were 

 issued. 



The occupation has given employment to 2885 men, 124 tugs (inclusive of 

 gasoline launches), and 1295 boats. 



An estimated capital of $816,392 is invested in the industry. 



The aggregate catch amounts to 23,715,070 pounds, as compared with 26,- 

 863,779 pounds in 1901, a decrease of 3,148,709 pounds 



The estimated value of the catch is $1,265,705. 



A list of the overseers with the territory under the jurisdiction of each will 

 be found at page 



Statements have been prepared showing : 



1. The revenue derived from each division (p. 86). 



2. The number in detail of fishermen, tonnage and value of tugs, vessels 

 and boats, quantity and value of all fishing material, and the kinds and quanti- 

 ties of fish caught (pp. 88 to 103). 



3. The gross yield of the different kinds of fish in each division in 1901 and 

 1902, and the im rease or decrease (p. 108). 



4. The total quantity of each kind of fish taken in 1902 as compared with 

 the quantity taken in 1901, and the increase or decrease (p. 110). 



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