Fishing Grounds of the Gulf 1 10

Apparently there is no reasons why this ought not to be an all-the-calendar year fishing ground,
nevertheless it seems to never be been to much in the winter. It furnishes, nonetheless, a very good
summer time handline fishery for cod at dogfish time, and in the spring a few months it abounds in
cod, cusk, and hake, all minn kota pieces of large size.
Roseway Bank. This bank is situated N. from the western element of La Have and SE. of Shelbourne
Light, Nova Scotia: 31 miles SSE. from the whistling buoy away Lockport, Nova Scotia, towards the
southeastern advantage. It is oblong in shape and also of small extent--about 270 square geographic
miles. Its greatest duration is 21 miles along with its greatest breadth 15 miles. It extends from 43?
12' to 43? 33' north latitude, and from 64? 25' to 64? 52' western longitude and also at the northwest
corner is connected with the shore limit of 60 fathoms with a narrow throat. Depths come from 33 to
48 fathoms. The bottom is ofsand and pea gravel, and rocks; in the Northeast Maximum the bottom
is of discolored gravel and mud.
The push and path of they are both much relying on the wind, although currents in this region will
not be nearly so strong as about Cape Sable and Browns Bank, their general course being WSW. and
ENE the westerly much the stronger.
Hake, pollock and halibut occur, the best minn kota components months being from May to October,
when the lender is resorted to by craft from western Nova Scotia, even though principal seafood
taken here arehaddock and cod, and cusk. A few New Britain craft also fish here.
Los angeles Have Financial institution. Situated eastward of Browns Bank and S. and E. of Roseway
Bank. It extends from 42? 34' to 43? 26' north latitude a distance of 52 miles, and from 63? 50' to
65? 07' to the west longitude a distance of around 54 miles. The bank is almost divided into two
portions, of which the eastern (La Have Bank appropriate) extends N and S. 39 a long way and the
western portion virtually E. and W. about 35 miles. The total part of the bank is approximately 1,200
miles.
The bottom is largely coarsegravel and pebbles, and rock and roll, with small areas of fine sand
distributed in some places. Depths manage from 40 to 50 fathoms. This is much influenced by the
pressure and course of the wind and is typically quite robust during easterly blows, even though
general set of the currents is to the westward.
The principal fishing upon this bank in past times has been for cod and haddock: and while former
reports, (1881) speak of this as having once been a favorite minn kota parts soil for halibut and state
that it was not at time of great importance and importance because fishery, the figures for this
ground to the year 1923 show the halibut catch to have been third in volume and first in value of the
species used there. The truth is, the capture of halibut here makes quite an imposing figure when
the relatively small size of the ground is recognized as.
Little La Have as well as the La Have Ridges are simply just continuations of this back in the
direction of the European Bank for the distance of about 45 miles. This locations the eastern limit in
about 62? 50' west longitude, the north and southern boundaries being about as those of Los angeles
Have Financial institution. The section of the ridges is around 1,575 miles. The base here is a
succession of ridges of gravel and pebbles with occasional spots of stones. Depths are from 53 to 80
fathoms. The current, from time to time strong, is weaker on this page than further W. about the
bank and, except throughout easterly wind, is but little seen. The general set up is westerly.
"The Ridges" says the report before mentioned, "were for several years among the favorite resort
hotels for halibut catchers during winter, and many great catches of cod were taken right here at
that time of year. At present but few halibut are caught except in the deep h2o along the the
southern area of edge of the soil, where they sometimes have been found quite plentiful during
nearly the entire 12 months." Apparently there has not been much improvement in these conditions
since the writer's time; minn kota parts are most often present in about the same amounts as in
previous years.
One piece of bottom, having depths of 25 to 50 fathoms around red clay-based, lying approximately
in 43? 08' to 43? 10' north latitude and about 81? to 83? west longitude, seems a good spring and
early summer ground. Obviously red-clay base indicates an excellent halibut ground, as this kinds is
usually present where this type of bottom is available.
Hake are found in excellent numbers inside the deep drinking water about the ends of the floor and
even in the Ridges.
These waters are quite heavily fished from Canadian ports, plus a fair variety of American vessels
visit them each year, most of them hailing from Boston or Gloucester.
Scandinavian Bank. 18 miles SSW. from Shelbourne Light. Nova Scotia. It really is about 3 miles
very long in an E. and W. direction by about ? mile wide. Generally speaking, the bottom is level,
with depths from 50 to 70 fathoms; the shoal parts are rocky and sharp, the bottom within the
deeper portions being constructed mostly of small black colored and yellow pebbles.
This is a summer halibut ground (July and August) in depths from 45 to 60 fathoms, and halibut
occur in October in the much deeper waters regarding this. It is also a good summer cod ground,
and cusk can be found in the deeply water regarding the edges during most of the 12 months. In
standard, seasons and species are much as on Roseway.
American Bank. This is one of the most essential minn kota pieces grounds from the western
Atlantic, whether as regards size or the abundance of its product. It is placed S. of Cape Breton
Island and the eastern element of Nova Scotia between the parallels of 42? 44 and 55'? 46' northern
latitude along with the meridians of 59? 62 and 04'? 35' west longitude. It has a period of 156 a long
way and a thickness, including the Middle Ground, of 76 mls. It is about 420 miles E. ? S. from
Boston to the southwestern edge, meaning about 48 hours' steaming for the otter-trawl fleet.
The general contour from the bank within the 65-fathom line, as laid down on the Admiralty chart,
approaches considerably a very elongated ellipse, the more time axis operating NE. by E. and SW.
by W.; but over a extensive area to eastward of the center of the financial institution, soundings of
less than 50 fathoms connect it directly using the Middle Terrain, which we now have here within
the some lender. The total extent of the banking institution thus described is about 7,000 sq
geographical miles. Off its eastern finish lies Banquereau (the Quereau of the anglers) with The
Gully between, as well as a short range of the western edge will be the La Have Ridges.
The depths away from the southern side of the bank increase rapidly from 80 to700 and 1,200, and
in many cases 1,400 fathoms. In the eastern finish is Sable Island, [16] "graveyard of vessels", afilter
and long, crescent-shaped height seemingly minimizing in place each year, created entirely of sand
that has been blown Into innumerable dunes and hummocks. Away from both stops of the isle are
extended and harmful fine sand bars. The size of the island is 20 mls; its greatest width is all about
1? a long way. It is said the Northwest Lighting has been shifted three times simply because that the
traditional western end of the island continues to be literally mesmerised. It is based on an E. and W.
direction, as well as the depth water over the night clubs for a distance of 7 to 10 miles out does not
go beyond 2 fathoms, and even 10 miles further out the depths do not exceed 10 to 11 fathoms.
Within the past several years fishermen have reported the look of a yellow sand shoal about 5 or 6
kilometers SE. through the Northeast Light-weight. This is said to appear at low water.
In general, your budget slopes S. and W. from the isle, depths including 18 to 60 fathoms. The
bottom is mainly sandy with patches of gravel and pebbles. Currents are occasionally very strong
about Sable Tropical isle and are fairly irregular; evidently they are significantly influenced by the
winds. On the other parts from the bank usually there is but little recent, whatever there is certainly
usually tending toward the west.
Previously the cod and halibut were the meal fishes most taken here, but with the changed
strategies in the fishery (as the growth of the otter-trawl fleet) along with a changed style in our
public the haddock catch has become the second most critical in the invoices of species of fish from
the waters. The halibut fishery stands third in the list. Other base feeders exist in less amounts, the
pollock and the cusk perhaps being next to be able of relevance, with hake and a considerable
amount of the various flatfishes in the otter trawls. These latter are marketed as sole.
Remembering the small amount of haddock inside the fares removed from these seas in past years,
the author asked a number of old-time fishermen as to its abundance in the old days. The reply was
usually yes and Oh, there are always haddock there; occasionally they concerned us a good deal."
Then, noting my surprise at so getting it, "You know, the haddock isn't much as being a salt minn
kota parts."
Not so valuable proportionately, though it will probably be noted that in 1923 the haddock catch on
this page was a very good second on the cod catch in poundage. In the otter-trawl catch using this
ground it will likely be noted the positions of the two species are reversed. Generally speaking, these
steamers certainly acquire more than 2 pounds of haddock to 1 of cod on other overseas grounds-
-probably the result of operating in the shoaler waters and also on the easier bottom because of the
difficulty of dragging within the rocky and kelp-covered ground, which the cod seems to favor.
Although the bottom around the Western Lender is of those nature as to offer tiny obstruction for
the passage in the net, to ensure virtually all parts of it may be fished by this approach; and this,
included with the known movements in the cod schools makes it achievable at particular seasons of
year to catch a more substantial proportion of the species when it is so preferred.
Haddock are found about the bars at both stops of the tropical island in Mar and from that time to
around June 1 in from 15 to 22 fathoms. They are also abundant 18 kilometers W. from the
Northwest Light-weight at the very same seasons and also at the same depths. DuringMay possibly
and Apr, and June they come in next to the island in from 10 to 17 fathoms--even going to 1 fathom.
Through all of those other year (apart from the cold months, if they have moved off of into deeper
water) they may be found throughout the bank on sandy underside in 28 to 30 fathoms, where most
of the beam trawl sport fishing is carried on.
There exists a good cod school each and every year on the relatively level underside along the
traditional western and southwestern edges of the terrain in 70 fathoms and more from Feb 1 to
May 1, and in most years some this types is taken on this area. In May this school seems to have
moved on to a piece of bottom part about 20 miles lengthy lying SW. from the North west Light and
having depths averaging 27 fathoms. With fair minn kota pieces for cod on the Western Bank while
in most of the year, they seem to be most abundant from the first of March to June. The winter
school on this page appears to be smaller than that on Georges, but apparently this species trips this
soil in significant numbers in the spawning time of year. In winter the cod are mainly found upon the
western portion of the bank, stepping into the shoaler waters to Sable Isle as the early spring
advances (in the course of March and April), the "Bend" of your island and also the neighborhood of
the bars in 2 to 4 fathoms, where they are often seen getting the hook or can be "jigged." being
preferred grounds. The soil lying W. from the Northwest on, about and Light the Northwest Bar (18
miles W, from the gentle), is a favored cod floor in May and June. The shoal water on the rocky
underside WNW through the Northwest Lighting furnishes good cod fishing from June 10 to July 1.
This piece commences just away from 3-mile stretch of breakers running out from the land and
extends offshore in a normally westerly route to 24 fathoms. Much hand-lining is completed here.
Inside the shoal normal water, in Apr and May, the minn kota elements seem to be giving on the
"lant," (Ammodytes americanus). It is said the fish taken on the bottom close to the tropical isle are
smaller compared to those found farther west. The shoal water of the northern shoreline of the
island is said to possess good cod grounds and favorite spots for "dory hand-upholster." The cod
schools seem to appear on the North Peak (SE. from the Northeast Light 40 miles to SE ? S. from
exact same point 28 miles) at the end of March and also the first of April, moving N. and W. on the
island. The cod of Sable Tropical isle are said to be fine, company minn kota elements, perhaps due
to the abundance of the "reddish colored clams" (bank clams) on these grounds.
The cod and haddock fishery is carried on by American and Canadian cruising vessels and otter
trawlers, progressively more English and French vessels of the latter class undertaking the fishery of
this soil each year.
Halibut are located on the Western Financial institution virtually all the year at depths varying
together with the seasons. This, with The Gully and Quereau--in fact, all one component of ground-
-ranks second merely to the Fantastic Bank On its own, as a halibut bank. The best minn kota
elements here for halibut is found from January to October. There are numerous places about and on
the lender that the halibut seems to like, as the Maximum of Pike, 85 miles W. by S. from the
Northwest Light-weight of Sable Island; S. and SW. of Sable Island from 12 to 38 kilometers; SW. 20
miles in 60 fathoms in Could; thence out into 100 and 150 fathoms in June; in fact, after the 100-
-fathom curve along the edge of this bank, past the Northeast Optimum (40 mls SE. from your
Northeast Light-weight), into the Gully and around the Southern Prong of Quereau to the Middle
Prong. Apparently they leave this piece of bottom in July. Often the species of fish are close to the
island in the spring, the location where the water is very shoal that they can be seen utilizing the
bait or playing with the hook before you take. InMay possibly and Apr, and June a good halibut
ground is 18 fathoms 24 mls WNW. from Sable Tropical island.
The Western Bank appears to be a good giving ground for cod and halibut because it abounds in
shellfish and crustaceans, and also at certain times there are many more compact species of fish
after it, for example the lant and herring, on what these varieties and the haddock, also, especially
prey. Plenty of swordfish is taken in September and August, mainly by American vessels.
Banquereau. Divided from the Western Bank from the Gully, it has a very abnormal form--the main
bank approximately rectangular, having a narrow westerly extension of comparatively standard
form. Its length, E. and W., is about 120 miles, its greatest size about 47 miles, and its total region
about 2,800 miles.
The key portion of the financial institution lies involving 44? 45 and 04'? 01' north latitude and 67?
59 and 10'? 00' west longitude, as well as the western prolongation lies among 44? 24' and 44? 42'
north latitude and 69? 80 and 00'? 05' to the west longitude. North of Banquereau lies Artimon,
distant 3 miles, and Misaine, faraway from 2 to 15 miles based on the places from where
measurements are taken. If any current, the currents here are of diverse force, very much
influenced by the wind, in order that several days of strong tides may be accompanied by intervals
should there be little.
Around the eastern part of Quereau is surely an area of shoal ground referred to as the Rocky Base,
having a range of about 18 fathoms; somewhere else depths operate from 18 to 50 fathoms. You can
find scattered areas of sand and pea gravel, even though most of the time the bottom is rocky.
Cod and halibut are the main food fish taken, haddock and hake and cusk being consumed in small
figures. The Difficult Bottom, a shoal floor of 20 to 25 fathom depths on the eastern part, was much
resorted to by dory handliners in summer time. The cod are most plentiful around the eastern
portion of the bank, however occasional very good fares are taken toward the western side. The very
best cod minn kota parts for this bank is from May until September, if the schools gather to feed
upon the lant, squid, crustaceans, and shellfish, then very abundant.
Halibut are found here all the year off the edges in 100 to 400 fathoms. Some of these could be minn
kota parts in migration northward, even though apparently these are generally feeding and breeding
grounds for this particular species, in fact it is not unusual for a university to remain for weeks and
in many cases months in a single locality.
The principal halibut grounds are across the eastern and the southern part of borders from the
bank--the Southwest Prong and the South west Cove (in approximately 44? N. lat. and between 58?
58 and 30'? 55' W. long), the Middle Prong (44? 14' N. lat. and 58? W. long.), along with the Eastern
Slope (44? 28' to 45? 00' N. lat.)--in depths of 150 to 400 fathoms. These deeply-water areas are
rocky and support an extremely rich expansion ofcorals and gorgonians, sea anemones, etc. The
Eastern Slope has a great deal of bank clams in depths of 25 fathoms. These beds are excellent
hand-line grounds for cod. The halibut, too, feeds to a considerable extent after these reddish clams.
The Stone Fencing off the eastern slope of Quereau is an extremely rocky bit of ground packed with
"trees" (corals) in 250 fathoms. This is an excellent halibut ground although it is virtually impossible
to haul the gear manually and the usage of the "gurdy" (a roller turned with a crank and fastened to
the dory's bow for winding the trawl) becomes necessary. The occasional fares of halibut are taken
on and about the Rocky Base in 20 to 25 fathoms from July 1 to August 1.
The Gully. Here is the deep waterway between Banquereau and Sable Island or Western Financial
institution. It expands in an WNW. and an ESE. direction northern of Sable Island, transforming
somewhat unexpectedly S. at its eastern end and continuing downward between the eastern end of
Western Financial institution and the Southwest Prong of Banquereau. The full length is
approximately 80 a long way, the greatest thickness about 20 miles. Depths range from 68 to 145
fathoms over a bottom of gravel, fine sand and rocks and mud. The difficult and gravelly portions
form several ridges separated by areas of better materials, other than in the eastern section, in
which the intervals between are mostly included in pebbles and sharp rocks. Ocean currents are
generally westerly, of varying strength, significantly affected by the easterly wind.
The Gully is a very important halibut soil. The halibut are not found in great phone numbers all over
the ground, perhaps the best of the sport fishing becoming on the rocky and gravelly ridges and
slopes included between the meridians of 69? and 80? west longitude. This rocky underside is full of
food, as well as the lant and herring are often plentiful here in their time of year. In the spring the
halibut appear to be especially several in the northwestern and northern elements of the bank,
afterwards, in June and July, moving further out. Some, are found in winter. Whilst the cod might be
found in The Gully in 60 to 90 fathoms, it will not are most often of normal occurrence; and
apparently you can find almost no haddock here, most likely because of the degree of the water and
the mother nature of the underside.
Artimon Bank. Has an area of some 120 sq miles using a bottom of gravel and rocksdepths and
stones of 38 to 50 fathoms. It is but unknown because of the propensity of the anglers to use the
larger grounds shut at hand. Cod are known to be present here, however. The financial institution
lies N. of the eastern part of Quereau, separated from this by a slim, deep-water route.
Misaine Financial institution. Lies N. of the american two-thirds of Quereau, at one location very
close to, but in common the banks are separated by some 20 miles of deep water. Its greatest length
is 80 mls and its best width 40 miles. Depths are from 40 to 60 fathoms over a bottom broken and
rocky. It is not of great importance and importance being a minn kota pieces ground, although a few
halibut trips are landed from it in most several years.
Canso Banking institution. A long, narrow extension of Misaine Financial institution, lying in a E,
and W. direction; its span is 45 miles as well as its greatest thickness 13 mls, its place being about
425 sq miles. Depths range from 30 to 65 fathoms across a bottom of sand, with spots of gravel and
pebbles. It is really not of much relevance as a sport fishing ground, especially as judged using it
with the American fleet, though more fished by vessels from Nova Scotia; perhaps it can be
overshadowed by the presence of its larger neighborhood friends, Quereau and Western Financial
institutions, with which reasons it types virtually one particular piece of bottom part, only thin, deep-
water stations separating them. These larger grounds are intensely fished both by American citizen
vessels and also those from Nova Scotia ports and also by French and English language otter
trawlers.
The figures given elsewhere and here within this report are taken from the published bulletins of the
United States Bureau of Fisheries, and include simply the landings of vessels of 5 tons net, or older,
at the plug-ins of Boston and Glouscester, Mass., and Portland, Me.
[Desk 5--Sportfishing grounds of your offshore North Atlantic, displaying the principal species taken
after them]
[Footnote 16: "Pedro Reinel, a Portuguese pilot of much fame" (Herrera) produced a map in 1505
demonstrating Sable Island, feared and dreaded by all fishermen even in those days, in which he
called it "Santa Cruz." Jacamo Gastaldi, an Italian cartographer, in 1548 shows it "Isolla de Arena."
Sir Humphrey Gilbert or his historian, says that the Portuguese had made an interesting settlement
here for shipwrecked mariners. This, "On intelligence we had of any Portugal who was himself
provide when the Portugals, above 35 years prior (thus well before 1551) do put with the island tidy
and swine to breed of dog, which were because exceedingly multiplied."]
TABLES OF CATCH
[Table 6--Distance from Boston or Gloucester, Bulk., to the core of certain of your more important
offshore banks]
[Table 7--Range from Portland, Me., to the center of a number of of the more important offshore
banking institutions]
[Table 8--Landings by minn kota parts vessels at Gloucester and Boston, Mass., and Portland, Me.,
from internal or shore grounds, 1927]
[Table 9--Landings by minn kota pieces vessels at Boston and Gloucester, Mass., and Portland, Me.,
from the exterior grounds of the Gulf of Maine, 1927]
[Table 10--Landings by fishing vessels at Gloucester and Boston, Mass., and Portland, Me., from the
minn kota parts grounds of the Georges Bank place, 1927]
[Dinner table 11--Landings by the otter-trawl fleet at Boston and Gloucester, Mass., and Portland,
Me., from the angling reasons of the Georges Bank location, 1927]