FISHERIES OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC 127 



the product of these fisheries is consumed in the different 

 parts of the province, including the Eastern Townships. The 

 oils are chiefly consumed in this province, the exports being 

 very inconsiderable. Codfish is also brought into this pro- 

 vince from New Brunswick, Newfoundland, the Labrador, 

 and sometimes from Nova Scotia. 



"These fisheries (the whale fisheries excepted, which are 

 of recent date, and, with a little encouragement from the 

 Legislature might become of great importance to the export 

 trade) were much more considerable and successful formerly 

 than at present; their falling off may be attributed to the 

 following, among other causes: 



"1st. The great destruction of fish, resulting from the 

 want of sufficient regulations, and the disregard shown to 

 the existing laws, and to Treaties actually in force. 



"2nd. To the inattention to the fisheries, principally 

 arising from the discredit of our fish in foreign markets, ow- 

 ing to the total want of regulations with respect to inspec- 

 tion previous to their shipment; in consequence of which 

 fish of all qualities are indiscriminately sent abroad without 

 control. 



"Your committee have satisfactorily ascertained that the 

 commerce in fish is susceptible of great extension, and may 

 become one of the most considerable and profitable branches 

 of the trade of this province, and that new fisheries might be 

 established to advantage in many places hitherto overlooked 

 or neglected, along the South and North Shores of the St. 

 Lawrence, if suitable encouragement were given for the pur- 

 pose. 



"To promote this desirable object your committee report 

 and recommend as follows, viz. : 



"1st. That the Bill for regulating the fisheries in the 

 Inferior District of Gaspe, be amended, containing regula- 

 tions to prevent the wasteful and unnecessary destruction of 

 fish, particularly of salmon. 



"2nd. That His Majesty's Government be most earnestly 

 entreated to adopt speedy and effectual measures to oblige 



