1190 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



[8] 



Herring. — During the season of 1881 herring were abundant, and 

 11,952,531 pounds more were caught than in 1880, with an increased 

 value of $129,538. 



This fishery would have been more productive but for the bad weather 

 in the English Channel and the North Sea, which occasioned the loss 

 of vessels having on board full cargoes of fish. The port of Boulogne 

 suflfered severely, having lost eight of its vessels, together with their 

 crews and cargoes. The vessels that escaped the storms were obliged to 

 take refuge in the neighboring ports, in which they had to remain some 

 time for repairs. 



Coast fisheries.— The, sardine fishery in 1881 was much worse than 

 usual, decreasing more than one-third both in catch and vftlue. The fish 

 came late on the coast, and in certain quarters made only a short stay, 

 while in other regions they scarcely appeared at all. 



The difficulty that fishermen encounter in selling their i)roducts on 

 the spot is the principal reason for the low price of these products in 

 some localities. 



The " seines heloV^ have continued to give excellent results. On that 

 account their number has increased in the Douarnenez quarter, in 

 Finist^re, where this apparatus has been especially employed. 



The result of the fishing for fresh fish was superior in 1881 to that of 

 the preceding year, but the receipts were less in value by $157,078, 

 owing to falling prices in certain markets. 



In some quarters of the west coast the fishermen have replaced their 

 ancient vessels by those of larger tonnage, thus enabling them to go 

 farther out to sea; and this has proved practically a success, as is de- 

 monstrated by the increased catch of fish. 



. Cod fisheries of Weivfoundland. — The following table shows the statis- 

 tics of the French cod-fisheries here during the three years named : 



1880. 



1881. 



1882. 



Number of men employed. 



Number of vessels 



Tonnage of vessels 



NuBjber of pounds caught 

 Value 



5,740 



147 



23, 588 



40, 534, 316 



$1, 241, 752 



5,165 



137 



21, 083 



38, 992, 652 



$1, 521, 275 



39, 257, 652 



As soon as the vessels arrived at the fishing grounds they were able 

 to occupy the places assigned to them, and the fishing began immedi- 

 ately after the first work of installation. In the month of August, 1881, 

 the i)roduct of the fisheries was sufficient only for the food of the crews. 

 In fact, that month was particularly bad, owing to the frequent and 

 violent northeast gales, accompanied by dense fogs and heavy rains, 

 which rendered the drying of the fish very difficult. However, the re- 

 sults at the end of the season of 1881 were better than those of the pre- 

 ceding years, and the captains, with few exceptions, declared themselves 

 satisfied with their fishing. On the other hand, the prices considerably 



