516 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [26] 



M. Turbid, the keeper of the light, said he had seen no indication of 

 the presence of mackerel about the rocks during the summer. Large 

 mackerel were abundant in 18S5, but since that date have generally 

 been scarce, and most of the time either rare or entirely absent. 



On July 10 a trial was made with toll-bait 15 miles east by north 

 from Entry Island. No mackerel were seen or taken. 



July 13 another trial was made south-southeast 4 miles distant from 

 Entry Islaud without result. 



As mentioned elsewhere, the conditions of the weather were unfavor- 

 able for making a comprehensive investigation between the Bird Eocks 

 and St. Paul's Island, without delaying the trip to Newfoundland longer 

 than was thought desirable. However, a lookout was kept for indica- 

 tions of mackerel, but nothing was seen which gave reason to think 

 that any fish of that species were in the region mentioned. If mack- 

 erel had been there in any abundance, it is probable that schools of 

 them would have been seen at night, when the presence of fish can 

 generally be easily detected by the phosphoresence they cause in the 

 water. 



While at the Magdalens I learned that the gill-net fishermen, had 

 found mackerel exceptionally scarce during the early part of the season, 

 and very few were obtained. 



There have been for many years traditions among the fishermen of 

 the occasional abundance of mackerel in White Bay and adjacent waters 

 on the northeastern coast of Newfoundland. It was, therefore, deemed 

 important to obtain as complete information as could be secured con- 

 cerning the occurrence of mackerel in that region. The statements given 

 below are based upon the recollections of various people who were inter- 

 viewed, and who have been associated with the fisheries of that region 

 for many years. The result of the inquiries made can be briefly sum- 

 marized as follows : 



About 1870 to 1875, and occasionally in previous years, mackerel were 

 found at times in considerable abundance at White Bay and at Canada 

 Bay. One or two fishermen remembered that individuals had been 

 taken as far east as Fogo Island, but their recollection was not clear 

 enough to make any definite statements. A marked characteristic of 

 the mackerel taken in this region is that they are invariably poor in 

 flesh and inferior as food. One fisherman said they are " dry as sticks." 



Mackerel had seldom been seen about White Bay and vicinity for 

 twelve years, though occasionally a specimen has been taken in the 

 herring-nets. 



On July 26 Capt. George Manuel, of the mail steamer Plover, who 

 had just arrived from his trip along the Labrador coast and the " French 

 shore" of Newfoundland, stated that he had not heard of the occur- 

 rence of mackerel on the coast of Newfoundland at any time during the 

 summer. 



The captain of a schooner which had recently arrived at Toulinguet 



