FISHERIES OF THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC 147 



"Mackerel of the finest quality were taken off Tracade- 

 gash Point during the past season, but only in small 

 quantities, from want of the requisite skill and outfit. Mr. 

 Marr was of opinion that 20,000 barrels of mackerel might 

 have been taken during the season in Carleton Bay by those 

 who understood the fishery. The herring fishing commences 

 here on the 20th August and ends the 20th September; the 

 fish are taken almost at the doors of the inhabitants. This 

 herring fishery could be prosecuted much more extensively 

 than at present if under proper regulations. 



"Large numbers of white porpoise were seen in the Baie 

 des Chaleurs the past season, which was an unusual occur- 

 rence, none having been seen there for thirty years previously. 

 Their presence was supposed to have had an injurious effect 

 upon the salmon fisheries of the Bay generally, as the white 

 porpoise destroys great numbers of salmon, chases them in all 

 directions, and breaks up their "schulls. " These fish are 

 quite common in the River Saint Lawrence, where they are 

 taken sometimes of the length of 18 feet, in weirs set up for 

 the purpose. They yield much oil of fine quality ; their skins 

 are dressed for traces, and the Canadian sail bags are made of 

 them. Mr. Marr exhibited some of these bags, which were 

 very white, thick and soft; they stand much chafing, and 

 effectually resist the wet. 



"Mr. Marr stated that the American fishing vessels 

 which frequent this Bay are in the habit of trading at Port 

 Daniel ; that they injure the cod fishing by throwing over 

 the bones and offal of the fish they take ; and that it would be 

 better to allow them to land, for the purpose of cleaning 

 and curing their fish, as they would then do less injury to 

 the fisheries. The Jersey houses on the coast, he said, dis- 

 couraged the herring fishery, and all other fisheries, except 

 that for cod. 



"Mr. Edward Mann, who resides at Tracadegash, was 

 prosecuting the herring fishing while the writer was there, in 

 September. Mr. Mann is a person of much intelligence and 

 information, and he cured his herrings in a proper manner. 



