30 THE REPORT OF THE No. 31 



5. The value of tie different kinds of fish taken (p. 111). 



6. The number of tugs, boats, men, etc., engaged in the industry, the quan- 

 tity of nets licensed and the value thereof (p. 111). 



7. The value of the Ontario fisheries from 1870 to 1902 (p. 112). 



8. The quantity of fry distributed by the Federal Government in the 

 Province since Confederation (p. 112). 



Protection. 



The overseers have rendered good service, and their efficiency is of course 

 increasing as they become more familiar with their duties. They have been on 

 the alert for violations, and especially for illegal shipments of fish. By a 

 frequent examination of these shipments we are able to detect whether the laws 

 are being observed as to size and kinds of fish permitted to be taken. A number 

 of seizures have been made during the year, and the offenders severely punished. 

 Fishermen throughout the province have been warned so frequently against 

 the shipment of trout and whitefish under two pounds in weight, a lesser size 

 being prohibited to be taken, that no violations cf this law have been reported. 

 The statute is very severe on the point, rendering the whole shipment liable to 

 confiscation if any fish taken contrary to law are intermixed therewith. 



Fines and Convictions. 



Sixty-nine persons were fined for breaches of the law, as compared with 

 121 in 1901, and $540 were obtained from fines, as compared with $1527 during 

 the same period. This may be regarded with favor, and as a sign that the 

 fishermen are realizing that it is in their own interest to observe the law, and 

 assist in protecting and perpetuating the source of their livelihood. 



Confiscations. 



The following articles were confiscated during the year: 111 gill nets, 28 

 seines, 82 trap nets, 4 hoop nets, 12 spears, 1 punt, 2 boats, 27 night lines 

 and 2746 hooks, all of which were being fished illegally. Where fish were con- 

 fiscated they were given to charitable institutions, which are always grateful for 

 such donations. 



Sunday Angling. 



Overseers are frequently requested to interfere with persons who " go 

 fishing " on Sunday, under the supposition that it is an offence against the 

 Fishery law. This, however, is an error. Sunday fishing is an offence against 

 the Lord's Day Act, the provisions of which it is not a part of the duty of fish- 

 ery overseers to enforce. A decision was recently rendered under the authority 

 of the Attorney General of Massachusetts which held that fishing on Sunday, 

 being a violation of a section of the Act entitled "An Act for the better observ- 

 ance of the Lord's Day," the enforcement of that provision of the Act was no 

 more one of the duties of the fishery overseers than the enforcement of any other 

 provision of the same Act. 



Patrol Boats. 



The "Gilphie," which was placed in commission in 1898, has each season 

 since been patrolling the Georgian Bay and North Channel. She has proved to 

 be a staunch and seaworthy boat, and her presence on the bay has had a most 

 beneficial effect. The Department is extremely fortunate in having as her com- 

 mander Capt. Angus McAulay, a skilled mariner, and one familiar with these 



