CHAPTER IX. 



Jftsljmes. 



rilHE immense value and importance of the Fisheries 

 -*- of Canada are very imperfectly known and in- 

 sufficiently estimated in this country, for it is only few 

 who have ever visited them, and fewer still who care to 

 take either the time or trouble necessary to inform them- 

 selves on a subject of which the following is a mere 

 outline. 



In Upper Canada, the coast-line of the great lakes 

 and the higher St. Lawrence, entirely excluding the 

 smaller lakes and all tributary streams, is estimated 

 at about 5000 miles in extent. In Lower Canada, 

 the river and gulf of St. Lawrence alone add 1000 

 miles more of coast-fisheries for salmon, cod, mackerel, 

 and herring, including upwards of seventy salmon rivers 

 which are under the immediate care and protection of the 

 Government; the whole affording employment to many 

 hundreds of hands, and sustenance to thousands of 

 inhabitants, while forming one of the most lucrative and 

 important branches of trade in the country. 



