144 FISHERIES OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC 



markets, besides the smaller craft required upon the coast. 

 Two of the leading Jersey firms, Messrs. Robin & Co. and 

 Nicolle Brothers, are supposed respectively to afford employ- 

 ment, directly or indirectly, to nearly one thousand persons. 



"The inhabitants of those shores of Cape Breton and 

 Nova Scotia which are within the Gulf, pursue their fisheries 

 in their immediate neighbourhood to a moderate extent ; and 

 a few of their vessels visit the Magdalen Islands and the 

 Labrador coast during the season." 



Mr. Perley realized that the cod of the Baie des Chaleurs 

 are the finest in the world, and said, in his report: 



"The Baie des Chaleurs cod are more prized in the mar- 

 kets of the Mediterranean, and will, at all times, sell there 

 more readily, and at higher prices, than any other. They 

 are beautifully white; and being very dry, can better with- 

 stand the effects of a hot climate and long voyage, than a 

 more moist fish. The peculiarity of their being smaller 

 than the cod caught elsewhere is also of great importance 

 as regards the South American market, for which they are 

 packed in 'drums' or tubs of a peculiar shape, for reasons 

 hereafter explained. ' ' 



He emphasized very strongly the great damage that was 

 being caused the cod fishery by the wasteful destruction, for 

 use as manure, of the capelin and the herring, upon which the 

 cod chiefly feed. 



"There has been great complaint of late years," he 

 said, " in the upper part of the Bale des Chaleurs, of the 

 falling off in the cod fishery, which is reported to be every 

 year decreasing. At Carleton, Maria, New Richmond, and 

 other places on the Gaspe shore, the fishing establishments 

 are deserted and going to ruin. At these places there was 

 formerly an abundant supply of fish; but the inhabitants 

 now barely catch enough for their own winter store. . . . 

 The decline of the cod fishery in the upper part of the Bay 

 is attributed to the wanton destruction of the proper and 

 natural food of the cod herring and capelin which are 

 taken in immense quantities ; not for immediate eating, 

 or for curing, or for bait but for manuring the land ! 



