60 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



there. Probably there was as much as 400,000 pounds of halibut taken from this ground, besides 

 large numbers that remained on the lost trawls. 



Iii the summer of 1879 there were comparatively very few halibut found at the above locality, 

 though the ground was very thoroughly tried over on several occasions. However, another breed- 

 ing-ground was found on the eastern part of the middle prong of Banquereau, in latitude, by 

 observation, 44 14' N., longitude, by dead reckoning, 58 04' W., in from 230 to 380 fathoms, on 

 pebbly, rocky, and coral bottom. It was of small extent, not much more than a mile in diameter 

 either way, when we were there. 



The following vessels all got good fares on this small piece of ground. From the best infor- 

 mation obtainable, I think the fish were first found about the 10th of July: 



The Andrew Leigh ton had 80,000 pounds; the Herbert M. Eogers, 50,000 pounds; the Bessie 

 W. Somes, 60,000 pounds; the David A. Story, 70,000 pounds; the Conductor, 55,000 pounds; the 

 Bellerophon, 55,000 pounds. We also caught about 55,000 pounds on my last halibut trip, and 

 when we left for home two vessels, the Addisou Center and Thresher, took our berth and each 

 of them secured fair catches.* 



Thus it will be seen that more than 400,000 pounds of halibut had already been caught at 

 this point, which, added to those retained on the lost gear, which must at least equal 100,000 

 pounds more, makes a total of more than 500,000 pounds. That so many fish should be taken from 

 such a small area of sea-bottom seems almost incredible, but the facts admit of so much proof that 

 they are indisputable. 



Only one result can be obtained by this system of fishing, and that is this: The halibut must 

 soon become reduced to scarcity, even if they were "four tier deep" at the beginning. But, not- 

 withstanding all this, the men feel obliged to catch as many fish as possible when they go after 

 them, and whatever the result may be on the abundance of halibut in future years, the present time 

 must be improved to the best advantage. 



The schooner David A. Story arrived in Gloucester July, 1881, with a trip of 25,000 pounds of 

 halibut, which were caught off the southeast point of Auticosti Island in the month of June. 

 Nearly all of the fish were taken in two days, after which little or nothing could be done, owing to 

 the lack of the proper kind of bait. The trawls were set three or four times a day, being run along 

 parallel with the shore in depths of water varying from 5 to 10 fathoms. 



Other vessels which were at Anticosti at the same time found halibut quite plenty for a few 

 days, but failed to secure full fares on account of having only a small supply of good bait. 



In June and July, 18S1, the best fares of fresh halibut tbat were brought into Gloucester were 

 caught on the southern part of the Grand Bank in 150 to 250 fathoms of water. The best locality 

 was in about latitude !3 12' N., though good catches were obtained a few miles north and south 

 of that poiut. The fish were two-thirds white and of a superior quality. The Alice G. Wonson, 

 the only vessel fishing off the eastern part of George's Bank, found halibut in considerable abun- 

 dance. On all the other " deep water " grounds, namely, the southern edge of La Have Ridges, and 

 the Western Bank, along the south and east borders of Bauquereati. and also off Saint Peter's 

 Bank, the catch of halibut was very small, and over a large portion of these grounds, once so 

 prolific, very few halibut can now be caught. The Josie M. Calderwood, while fishing for cod in 

 50 to GO fathoms, in the northwest part of the Gully, during the mouth of June, 1881, caught 

 17,000 pounds of halibut, which were brought iu fresh. Captain White, who commanded her, 

 states that the halibut were fairly plentiful and evidently many were lost from the trawls, owing 



* The quantity of fish taken by each of the various vessels is given in rouutl numbers, but in no instance will it 

 vary much from exactness. 



