slviii SHAD FISHERY COilMISSIOy 



We have already referred to existing conditions, under which salmon and gas- 

 pereau are fished, the conditions being that gaspereau are taken early in the season, 

 viz., in April, before the principal shad schools appear, and a mesh of net is used, 

 ■which is not suitable for the larger species of fish. The mesh of the gaspereau nets 

 is from 3 to 3^ inches, and these dimensions are too small to take shad, except odd 

 ones, even if the large schools of shad were then running. Hence, there is compara- 

 tively little danger to the shad supply from gaspereau fishing. On the other hand, 

 the proper mesh which we specify for salmon will not readily take shad during the 

 time when the close season for shad is in force. As the law stands, salmon drifting 

 is not permitted in Nova Sotia under the Fisheries Act, while in British Columbia 

 and in New Brunswick such fishing is permitted; and we recommend that this regu- 

 lation should uniformly apply to the three provinces named, as stated in our interim 

 report. On the whole, the existing salmon regulations appear to be fairly satisfactory, 

 with the exception of the matter of salmon drifting above referred to; but as the 

 shad and salmon are taken in the same nets, it is necessary that the same legal oon- 

 ditions should be applied to both fish. The present conditions are a serious 

 detriment to the salmon supply. In the interests of those who have money 

 invested in boats and gear and who are recognized salmon fishermen, a 

 permit system, in our opinion, should be introduced. We have elsewhere recom- 

 mended that the one permit should cover both shad and salmon fishing, and we have 

 little to add to the observations which we have embodied in our interim report resnect- 

 ing the two fisheries mentioned, viz. : salmon and gaspereau. 



Angling for young Salmon. 



The attention of the Commission was drawn to the destruction of young salmon 

 in early stages, viz. : the " parr " or first year stage, and the "smolt," which is the 

 second and third year stage. 



This destruction, especially by boys, is said to be carried on to a serious extent, 

 and may no doubt be due to ignorance of the fact that these small fish are the young 

 of the salmon. 



Evidence was given that in some localities they are confused with young trout. 

 Of course the young of neither of these important game fish can be legally taken, as 

 section 47, subsection 9, of the Fisheries Act expressly provides that " No one shall 

 fish for, catch, kill, buy, sell or jwssess, the young of any fish mentioned in this Act, 

 or in any regulation under it." 



The complaint laid before this Commission referred to salmon, and in order to 

 protect the young salmon especially, we would favour the posting of ofiicial notices 

 in the neighbourhood of salmon rivers, printed on strong white linen or cotton, calling 

 attention prominently to the illegality of fishing for and taking the young of salmon 

 in the " parr " and " smolt " stages, and quoting section 14 of the Act. We also are 

 of opinion that section 13 might be included on the same official notice. 



