REPORT OF THE COMMISsIoyERf^ xliii 



as a first step recommended salutary laws. These were adopted by the State, and, 

 amongst other things, fishing gear was confined to prescribed areas, and the main 

 channels left clear for the ascent of the fish. Albemarle Sound shad hatchery had 

 been able to obtain only 6J millions of eggs, instead of the 75 millions secured five 

 years previously. So beneficial were the restrictive regulations that during the first 

 year of their enforcement the number of shad eggs taken rose to 251 millions, and 

 1908-9 were nearly the most successful hatching seasons recorded, the egg collections 

 exceeding 55 millions and 60 millions, in the respective years specified. 



The Windsor hatchery. Nova Scotia, requires some reference here. It has been 

 successful in the hatching of salmon, as the annual reports of the department show, 

 but the experimental work with the shad has not apparently resulted in such marked 

 success. Various reasons may be adduced for this, but the principal reason no doubt 

 which may be mentioned, is that the temperatui-e of the water, circulating through 

 the hatchery jars, was somewhat high, and so hastened development that the resulting 

 fry were not robust enough to ensure completely successful planting 



The Commissioners visited the hatchery in the course of their tour, and were 

 favourably impressed with the building and its surroundings, and they were convinced 

 that successful shad hatching could be carried on and the rivers benefited by the 

 planting of shad fry if certain conditions could be ensured. The first requisite is 

 an ample supply of parent shad. and. as we have already pointed out, protective 

 measures must be employed to secure them in sufficient quantity, otherwise success 

 cannot be looked for. The experience of Connecticut Fish Commission is invaluable. 

 They say. in their Tth Biennial Report (1909) : 



Experiments have been frequeutlj' tried at various points on the Connecticut 

 river, not only by yo\ir present commission, but by former conunissions as well. \:< 

 secure mature eggs, but they have always resulted in failure. The fishermen who are 

 taking a keen interest in the preservation of shad, have also been on the alert for the 

 ripe shad egg but report that none were found, in hauling their seines. 



Last year at the earnest solicitation of the fishermen, efforts were made early and 

 late duiinj; the season, tn secure ripi- sjjawn at Hamburg cove. Salmon river and at 

 TJocky hill, but without siu'cess, and we are confirmed in the opinion that niaturr 

 shad eggs in any considerable number can not be procured down the river so far, nor 

 indeed any great distance below the Farmington river. The importance of articial 

 propagation is fully realized by the fishermen, and its effects on the fishery is the 

 best illustration of the value of fish culture. 



Your commission have conducted the artificial propagation of shad on the Far- 

 mington river, as usual, during the pa.st two years, leasing the !Mud Seine fishing 

 place, also the Manley fishing place. 



The results are far from being satisfactory, under the conditions which have 

 become more and more pronounced, as the run of fish for spawning pvirposes has been 

 practically wiped out. 



In 1907 we made 51 hauls with the .seine to capture the 80 ripe shad which pro- 

 duced the 191,000 eggs, and in 1908 it required 108 hauls with the seine to capture 

 ■ the 30 ripe shad which yielHed the 485,000 eggs. The figures are extremely interest- 

 ing and brings us very closi' to the true conditions existing in the shad fishery, and 

 the question we face to-day is the ultimate commercial extinction of the shad. It is 

 sure to come unless eflfeetive protection is secured. Unless something is accomplished 

 more effective than anything hei'etofore done, it seems certain that the day is within 

 nieasurabh' distance when o>ir slunl fisherv will be a matter of history. 



