APPENDIX. 337 



It is a source of much satisfaction to perceive that the equip- 

 ments for following deep sea fishing sensibly increase, both in the 

 numbers and outfit of vessels and crews. The fact of consumers 

 requiring a direct import from the United States into Canada of 

 near $200,000 worth of marine products annually, should 

 stimulate Canadians to embark much more extensively in the 

 trade. 



The practical advantages in course of being realised through 

 the system this year put in operation to protect and regulate the 

 salmon fishery in Lower Canada, become already manifest from 

 an increasing run of salmon into the principal breeding rivers. 

 This fishery during the past season has been fruitful. By 

 vigorous persistence in the policy thus far approved as beneficial, 

 it is reasonable to anticipate continued and increasing progression. 



Season licences for salmon fishing stations in the Lower St. 

 Lawrence, to the number of 163, have been issued. The fees 

 derived therefrom amount to $1,077 76. The rents accruing 

 (to 15th March) on fishery leases, awarded by public tender, are 

 $3,661. 



With the exception of a few stands upon the Gaspe" coast, no 

 stations have been submitted to licence, or privileges offered for 

 sale, along the southern shore of the St. Lawrence, and the Bay 

 of Chaleurs, and up the tributaries and most of those upon the 

 North Shore were licensed at mere nominal rates. 



Necessarily the system at the outset, as regards either shore, 

 from the vast extent of coast and numerous delays attending first 

 operations, crowded into a brief and uncertain season, has been 

 but partial in its application. 



An appropriation of $600 was made by the Act 22 Vic. chap. 

 86, towards the formation of oyster beds in the various bays and 

 waters of the Province, that might be found best adapted for that 

 purpose. In pursuance of such provisions, some 150 bushels 

 were gathered fresh from the native banks at Caraquette and St. 



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