THE LABRADOR FISHERIES. 24I 



The numerous fishing banks and shoals lying off the 

 Atlantic coast on the edge of the continental shelf, and 

 probably forming the winter feeding grounds, from 

 which early in July the codfish migrate inshore, form 

 an area of 7,100 square miles. It is thought by Hind 

 that the great cod fishery of the future will probably 

 be along Northern Labrador and over the adjacent 

 banks. 



The American fishermen have abandoned the Labra- 

 dor coast, preferring the Newfoundland banks, which are 

 nearer to their homes. As late as 1880 about one hun- 

 dred Canadian and Nova Scotia vessels were annually 

 engaged in the Labrador fisheries. Formerly a good 

 many Jersey fishermen frequented the coast, where there 

 were several of their fishing establishments ; but of these 

 only three remained up to 1880, while all the English 

 mercantile houses have been withdrawn. 



It is estimated that the aggregate value of the fisheries 

 from all sources on the entire coast " will not fall short 

 of a million pounds sterling per annum." 



The present value of these fisheries is shown by the 

 following extracts from Hatton and Harvey's "New- 

 foundland " : 



" Exports from Labrador for the year ending July 31, 

 1880: 



NEWFOUNDLAND HOUSES. 



Dried codfish 393,43^ qtls. 



Green do 144 " 



Sealskins 1,096 



Seal oil 50 tuns. 



Cod oil 76 " 



Other oil i " 



Blubber 17 " 



