THE ZOOLOGIST. 



THIRD SERIES. 



Vol. XVII.] MARCH, 1893. [No. J95. 



NOTES ON THE SEAL AND WHALE FISHEEY, 1892. 

 By Thomas Southwell, F.Z.S. 



The Newfoundland Sealing in the season of 1892 has again 

 proved successful; 349,369 seals were taken by twenty vessels, 

 as compared with 343,495 by nineteen vessels in the season of 

 1891 ; in addition to which some 25,000 more were killed by 

 schooners in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Of this large number 

 40,678, the great bulk of which would be old seals, were taken on 

 the second trip, about which I shall have more to say further on. 

 Eight vessels secured more than 15,000 each, the 'Diana' taking 

 the lead with the enormous number of 40,904 ; followed by the 

 'Ranger,' 34,614; ' Esquimaux,' 83,968 ; 'Wolf,' 32,479 ; 'Ice- 

 land,' 25,288;.' Eagle,' 20,819; 'Nimrod,' 18,669; and ' Labrador,' 

 18,623. The remaining twelve vessels were fairly well fished, 

 only two having less than 7000 ; the average of the first eight 

 was 28,170, and of the remaining twelve 10,334 seals. The 

 'Board of Trade Journal' (August, 1892, p. 214), quoting from 

 the 'Montreal Gazette,' estimates the total catch of seals in 

 Newfoundland by both steam and sailing vessels at 398,624 (say 

 400,000), which, at a valuation of 2'50 dols., would represent a 

 value of £250,000. 



The 'Eclipse' of Peterhead was at the Newfoundland sealing 

 under the command of Capt. Guy, late of the ' Polynia,' which 

 was lost in Davis Straits last season, but owing to an accident to 

 her machinery had a very unsuccessful voyage, securing only 

 3595 seals. 



ZOOLOGIST,— MARCH, 1893. H 



