Fishing Grounds of the Gulf 1 10

Apparently there is no good reason that this must not be an all-the-year minn kota components
ground, but it seems never to be frequented much in the wintertime. It furnishes, nonetheless, a
very good summer handline fishery for cod at dogfish time, and in the spring several weeks it
abounds in cod, cusk, and hake, all minn kota components of large size.
Roseway Bank. This bank is N. of your western element of La Have and SE. of Shelbourne Light,
Nova Scotia: 31 miles SSE. from the whistling buoy off Lockport, Nova Scotia, on the southeastern
edge. It is oblong in shape and of small extent--about 270 square geographical miles. Its greatest
duration is 21 miles and its particular greatest breadth 15 miles. It extends from 43? 12' to 43? 33'
north latitude, and from 64? 25' to 64? 52' western longitude as well as the north west corner is
connected with the shore restrict of 60 fathoms from a narrow neck area. Depths are from 33 to 48
fathoms. The bottom is ofgravel and sand, and rocks; in the Northeast Peak the bottom is of yellow
pea gravel and soil.
The force and path of they are both much relying on the wind, although currents in this region are
certainly not nearly so strong as about Cape Sable and Browns Bank, their general route being
WSW. and ENE the westerly much the stronger.
Hake, pollock and halibut occur, the ideal minn kota elements months being from Might to October,
when the financial institution is resorted to by craft from western Nova Scotia, although the
principal seafood taken here arehaddock and cod, and cusk. A number of New England craft also
fish here.
La Have Bank. Situated eastward of Browns S and Financial institution. and E. of Roseway Bank. It
extends from 42? 34' to 43? 26' northern latitude a distance of 52 mls, and from 63? 50' to 65? 07'
west longitude a distance around 54 mls. The bank is nearly divided into two portions, which the
eastern (La Have Bank appropriate) extends N and S. 39 a long way and the european portion
virtually E. and W. about 35 mls. The total part of the bank is approximately 1,200 miles.
The base is largely coarsepebbles and pea gravel, and rock and roll, with smaller areas of sand
distributed here and there. Depths manage from 40 to 50 fathoms. The typical set of the currents is
usually to the westward, but this is much relying on the force and direction of the breeze and is
typically quite solid during easterly blows.
The principal minn kota pieces upon this bank before has been for haddock and cod: and while
previous reports, (1881) speak of this as possessing once been a favorite minn kota parts soil for
halibut and claim that it was not at time of great importance and importance in this fishery, the
figures for this particular ground for that year 1923 show the halibut find to have been third in
volume and first in value of the species considered there. The truth is, the find of halibut here makes
quite an imposing physique when the comparatively small dimensions of the ground is regarded as.
Little La Have and the La Have Ridges are simply just continuations on this back towards the
European Bank for a distance of approximately 45 mls. This spots the eastern limit in about 62? 50'
west longitude, the north and the southern area of boundaries getting about as those of Los angeles
Have Bank. The part of the ridges is approximately 1,575 miles. The base here is a succession of
ridges of pebbles and pea gravel with occasional sections of stones. Depths are from 53 to 80
fathoms. The current, sometimes strong, is weaker right here than further W. on the bank and,
except in the course of easterly wind, is but little observed. The general set is westerly.
"The Ridges" says the report just before mentioned, "were for several years one of several favorite
resorts for halibut catchers during winter, and many good catches of cod had been taken at that
season. At present but few halibut are captured except within the deep normal water along the
southern edge of the floor, where they sometimes have been discovered quite plentiful during
practically the entire season." Seemingly there has not been much alternation in these conditions
since the writer's time; minn kota parts are most often present within about the same quantities as
in past years.
One piece of bottom part, having depths of 25 to 50 fathoms more than red clay, lying roughly in 43?
08' to 43? 10' north latitude and about 81? to 83? west longitude, seems an effective spring and
early summer ground. Evidently red-clay bottom indicates a great halibut terrain, as this kinds is
usually existing where this type of bottom is found.
Hake can be found in great numbers within the deep normal water about the edges of the floor and
even around the Ridges.
These waters are usually heavily fished from Canadian ports, plus a fair quantity of American vessels
visit them each year, the majority of them hailing from Boston or Gloucester.
Scandinavian Bank. 18 miles SSW. from Shelbourne Light. Nova Scotia. It is about 3 miles long in an
E. and W. direction by about ? distance wide. On the whole, the bottom is level, with depths from 50
to 70 fathoms; the shoal parts are sharp and rocky, the bottom within the deeper parts being made
up 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 greater waters regarding this. It is also a good summer cod ground, and cusk
are present in the deep water regarding the edges in the course of most of the 12 months. In basic,
species and seasons are generally as on Roseway.
American Bank. This is one of the most important fishing grounds of your western Atlantic, whether
as regards dimension or the large quantity of its product. It is placed S. of Cape Breton Island and
the eastern part of Nova Scotia between the parallels of 42? 44 and 55'? 46' north latitude and the
meridians of 59? 04' and 62? 35' west longitude. It has a length of 156 miles and a breadth,
including the Middle Ground, of 76 miles. It is about 420 kilometers E. ? S. from Boston to the
southwestern edge, which implies about 48 hours' steaming for the otter-trawl fleet.
The normal contour of your bank in the 65-fathom range, as set down on the Admiralty graph or
chart, approaches somewhat a very elongated ellipse, the more time axis jogging NE. by E. and SW.
by W.; but over a extensive area to eastward of the center of the lender, soundings of less than 50
fathoms hook it up directly with all the Middle Floor, which we have here included in the some
banking institution. The total extent of the bank thus described is about 7,000 rectangular
geographical kilometers. Off its eastern stop lies Banquereau (the Quereau of the anglers) with The
Gully between, along with a short extended distance of the american edge are definitely the La Have
Ridges.
The depths off the southern edge of the bank improve rapidly from 80 to700 and 1,200, and in many
cases 1,400 fathoms. At the eastern end is Sable Island, [16] "graveyard of ships", athin and long,
crescent-shaped height seemingly reducing in location each year, established entirely of sand that
has been blown Into innumerable hummocks and dunes. Away from both finishes of the isle are
extended and harmful beach sand bars. The size of the island is 20 miles; its very best width is about
1? miles. It is said that the Northwest Gentle has been relocated three times because of the fact that
the western end from the island continues to be literally blown away. It is based on an E. and W.
direction, along with the depth of water over the pubs for a length of 7 to 10 miles out does not go
over 2 fathoms, and even 10 miles farther out the depths do not surpass 10 to 11 fathoms. Within the
past few years fishermen have reported the appearance of a fine sand shoal about 5 or 6 miles SE.
through the Northeast Gentle. This is thought to appear at low drinking water.
In general, the bank slopes S. and W. from the tropical island, depths ranging from 18 to 60 fathoms.
The bottom is mainly sandy with patches of gravel and pebbles. Currents are occasionally very
strong about Sable Island and are somewhat irregular; obviously they are significantly influenced by
the winds. Around the other parts of the bank normally there is but little existing, whatever there is
certainly usually tending toward the west.
Earlier the cod and halibut were the foodstuff fishes most taken here, but with the changed
techniques in the fishery (as the growth and development of the otter-trawl fleet) and a changed
preference in our general public the haddock catch is considered the second most important in the
invoices of minn kota parts from all of these waters. The halibut fishery stands 3rd in the list. Other
underside feeders appear in less amounts, the pollock and the cusk perhaps simply being next as a
way of importance, 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 extracted from these waters in past
years, the author asked a variety of old-time fishermen as to its abundance in the past. The answer
was normally yes and Oh, there was always haddock there; at times they troubled us a whole lot."
Then, noting my surprise at so putting it, "You know, the haddock isn't much being a salt minn kota
parts."
It will be documented that in 1923 the haddock get here was a very good 2nd to the cod catch in
poundage, although not so beneficial proportionately. In the otter-trawl catch out of this ground it
will probably be noted how the positions of the two species are reversed. Generally speaking, these
steamers certainly take more than 2 pounds of haddock to 1 of cod on other overseas grounds-
-possibly the result of operating in the shoaler waters and also on the softer bottom due to difficulty
of dragging across the rocky and kelp-covered terrain, which the cod seems to choose. Nevertheless
the bottom about the Western Banking institution is of such nature with regards to offer very little
obstruction on the passage in the net, to ensure virtually all elements of it may be fished by this
strategy; and this, included with the recognized movements of the cod schools makes it probable at a
number of seasons of the year to catch a greater proportion of the species if it is so desired.
Haddock are found in regards to 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 plentiful 18 mls W. from the
Northwest Light-weight at the very same seasons as well as at the same depths. DuringMay and Apr,
and June they come in next to the island in from 10 to 17 fathoms--even going to 1 fathom. Through
the rest of the year (except for the chillier months, when they have moved off of into further water)
they could be found throughout the bank on sandy base in 28 to 30 fathoms, exactly where most of
the beam trawl minn kota parts is carried on.
There exists a good cod school annually on the fairly level bottom part along the traditional western
and southwestern corners of the terrain in 70 fathoms and a lot more from Feb . 1 to May 1, and in
most years some this species is adopted this area. In May this school may have moved on to a piece
of bottom part about 20 miles lengthy lying SW. from the North west Light and getting depths
averaging 27 fathoms. With honest fishing for cod on the European Bank in the course of most of the
12 months, they seem to be most abundant through the first of March to June. Apparently this
species appointments this ground in considerable numbers during the spawning season, though the
winter school in this article appears to be small compared to that on Georges. In the wintertime the
cod are mainly discovered upon the western area of the bank, getting into the shoaler waters to
Sable Island as the early spring advances (throughout March and April), the "Flex" of your island
and the neighborhood in the bars in 2 to 4 fathoms, where they could be seen getting the hook or
can be "jigged." being favored grounds. The earth lying W. from the Northwest Light, about and on
the Northwest Bar (18 miles W, from the gentle), is a favored cod ground in Could and June. The
shoal water within the rocky underside WNW in the Northwest Light furnishes great cod minn kota
parts from June 10 to July 1. This piece begins just outside of the 3-mile stretch out of breakers
running right out of the land and extends offshore in a generally westerly course to 24 fathoms.
Significantly hand-lining is completed here.
Within the shoal drinking water, in April and May, the fish seem to be providing on the "lant,"
(Ammodytes americanus). It is said that the minn kota pieces taken on the bottom close to the
tropical island are smaller compared to those located farther to the west. The shoal water of the
northern shoreline of the tropical isle is said to have good cod grounds and favorite locations for
"dory hand-coating." The cod colleges seem to arrive on the Upper Peak (SE. from the Northeast
Light 40 miles to SE ? S. from very same point 28 miles) at the end of March along with the first of
April, transferring N. and W. to the island. The cod of Sable Isle are reported to be fine, company
minn kota parts, perhaps due to the abundance from the "reddish clams" (bank clams) on these
grounds.
The cod and haddock fishery is carried on by American and Canadian sailing vessels and otter
trawlers, progressively more English and French vessels of the latter class undertaking the fishery of
this floor each year.
Halibut are found on the Western Banking institution virtually all the season at depths varying with
the seasons. As being a halibut banking institution, this, using the Gully and Quereau--in fact, all 1
piece of soil--ranks secondly only to the Grand Banking institution Itself. The most effective minn
kota elements here for halibut is found from January to October. There are various places on and
about the lender that the halibut seems to prefer, as the Peak of Pike, 85 miles W. by S. through 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, following the 100-
-fathom curve down the edge of this bank, past the Northeast Optimum (40 kilometers SE. through
the Northeast Gentle), into the Gully and around the The southern area of Prong of Quereau to the
Middle Prong. Apparently they leave this piece of bottom part in July. Often the species of fish are
close to the isle in the spring, in which the water is so shoal that they can be seen using the bait or
playing with the hook before you take. InApril and May, and June a good halibut ground is in 18
fathoms 24 miles WNW. from Sable Tropical island.
The American Bank appear to be a good serving ground for cod and halibut since it abounds in
shellfish and crustaceans, as well as certain time periods there are many smaller species of minn
kota parts on it, including the lant and herring, where these species and the haddock, also, specially
prey. A considerable amount of swordfish is taken here in August and September, mainly by
American vessels.
Banquereau. Separated from the Traditional western Bank from the Gully, it has a very abnormal
form--the key bank around rectangular, with a narrow westerly extension of comparatively typical
form. Its length, E. and W., is about 120 miles, its greatest breadth about 47 miles, and its total area
about 2,800 miles.
The primary portion of the lender lies involving 44? 45 and 04'? 01' north latitude and 67? 59 and
10'? 00' to the west longitude, and also the western prolongation lies in between 44? 44 and 24'? 42'
north latitude and 69? 00' and 80? 05' to the west longitude. Northern of Banquereau lies Artimon,
distant 3 miles, and Misaine, distant from 2 to 15 miles according to the places from which
measurements are taken. If any current, the currents allow me to share of diverse force, much
influenced by the wind, to ensure several days of strong tides may be followed by intervals when
there is little.
On the eastern element of Quereau is surely an area of shoal ground referred to as Rocky Base,
having a level of about 18 fathoms; elsewhere depths operate from 18 to 50 fathoms. Most of the
time the bottom is rocky, but there are spread patches of sand and gravel.
Cod and halibut are the main food fishes taken, hake and haddock and cusk being consumed small
figures. The Difficult Bottom, a shoal soil of 20 to 25 fathom depths on the eastern part, was much
resorted to by dory handliners in summer time. Occasional good fares are taken to the western, even
though the cod are most plentiful in the eastern section of the bank. The very best cod fishing about
this bank is produced by May right up until September, once the schools get to feed on the lant,
squid, crustaceans, and shellfish, then extremely abundant.
Halibut are found on this page all the calendar year off the corners in 100 to 400 fathoms.
Apparently these are giving and breeding grounds for this types, and it is not unusual for the school
to be for weeks and even weeks in one vicinity, though a few of these may be sea food in migration
northward.
The principal halibut reasons are along the eastern and the southern area of borders of the bank--the
Southwest Prong and the South west Cove (in approximately 44? N. lat. and between 58? 30' and
58? 55' W. long), the center Prong (44? 14' N. lat. and 58? W. long.), and also the Eastern Slope (44?
28' to 45? 00' N. lat.)--in depths of 150 to 400 fathoms. These strong-drinking water areas are rocky
and support a very rich growth and development ofcorals and gorgonians, sea anemones, etc. The
Eastern Slope has loads of bank clams in depths of 25 fathoms. These beds are good hand-line
grounds for cod. The halibut, too, feeds to a significant extent after these red-colored clams.
The Stone Fencing off the eastern slope of Quereau is certainly a rocky part of ground full of "trees"
(corals) in 250 fathoms. This is an excellent halibut ground although it is nearly impossible to haul
the gear yourself and the application of the "gurdy" (a roller turned with a fastened and crank to the
dory's bow for winding the trawl) gets to be necessary. Periodic fares of halibut are taken about and
on the Rocky Base in 20 to 25 fathoms from July 1 to August 1.
The Gully. This is the deep waterway between Banquereau and Sable Island or Western Bank. It
stretches in an WNW. and an ESE. direction north of Sable Island, turning somewhat unexpectedly
S. at its eastern end and continuing downward between the eastern end of Western Bank and the
South west Prong of Banquereau. The whole length is approximately 80 kilometers, the greatest
thickness about 20 miles. Depths range from 68 to 145 fathoms spanning a bottom of gravel, sand
and rocks and soil. The rocky and gravelly portions type several ridges separated by areas of finer
materials, other than in the eastern section, in which the intervals among are mostly protected by
pebbles and sharp rocks. Ocean currents are generally westerly, of varying strength, much affected
by the easterly wind.
The Gully is a very significant halibut soil. The halibut are not found in great figures all over the
ground, perhaps the very best of the minn kota parts simply being on the rocky and gravelly ridges
and slopes included between your meridians of 69? and 80? west longitude. This rocky base is
loaded with food, and the lant and herring are generally plentiful within their year. In the spring the
halibut are most often especially quite a few in the northwestern and northern parts of the bank,
afterwards, in June and July, moving further out. Some, are found within winter. It does not seem to
be of regular event; and evidently there are very little haddock on this page, probably due to the
depth from the water and the nature of the bottom, whilst the cod may also be found in The Gully in
60 to 90 fathoms.
Artimon Bank. Comes with an area of some 120 square miles using a bottom of stones and
gravelrocks and depths of 38 to 50 fathoms. It is actually but little known because of the habit of the
anglers to use the bigger grounds close at hand. Cod are known to be present here, however. The
financial institution lies N. of the eastern part of Quereau, separated as a result by a thin, deep-
water route.
Misaine Financial institution. Lies N. of the american two-thirds of Quereau, at one location very
around, but in basic the banks are separated by some 20 miles of deep normal water. Its greatest
length is 80 mls and its greatest width 40 miles. Depths are from 40 to 60 fathoms more than a
bottom shattered and difficult. A few halibut trips are landed as a result in most years, even though
it is not of much value as a minn kota parts terrain.
Canso Financial institution. A long, filter extension of Misaine Bank, lying in a E, and W. path; its
length is 45 miles and its greatest breadth 13 kilometers, its region being about 425 square miles.
Depths range from 30 to 65 fathoms more than a bottom of sand, with spots of gravel and pebbles.
More fished by vessels from Nova Scotia; possibly it is overshadowed by the inclusion of its larger
Western, neighborhood friends and Quereau Banks, which grounds it forms practically one piece of
bottom, only narrow, serious-drinking water channels splitting them, however it is not of much
importance as a minn kota components ground, specially as evaluated by the use of it by the United
states fleet. These larger grounds are seriously fished each by American vessels and also by those
from Nova Scotia ports in addition to by French and English otter trawlers.
The statistics given right here and elsewhere in this particular report are taken from the published
bulletins of the United States Bureau of Fisheries, and include just the landings of vessels of 5 lots
net, or over, at the plug-ins of Boston and Glouscester, Mass., and Portland, Me.
[Kitchen table 5--Sportfishing grounds of your offshore North Atlantic, demonstrating the principal
species taken with them]
[Footnote 16: "Pedro Reinel, a Portuguese pilot of much fame" (Herrera) made a map in 1505
displaying Sable Tropical isle, feared and dreaded by all fishermen even in those days, exactly where
he known as it "Santa Cruz." Jacamo Gastaldi, an Italian cartographer, in 1548 shows it "Isolla de
World." Sir Humphrey Gilbert or his historian, says that the Portuguese had created an interesting
settlement here for shipwrecked mariners. This, "On intelligence we had of any Portugal who was
himself provide when the Portugals, above 40 years earlier (thus prior to 1551) did put on the island
tidy and swine to particular breed of dog, which were since exceedingly multiplied."]
TABLES OF CATCH
[Table 6--Distance from Boston or Gloucester, Bulk., to the middle of certain of the more important
overseas banks]
[Desk 7--Distance from Portland, Me., to the center of a number of of the more significant offshore
banks]
[Table 8--Landings by fishing vessels at Boston and Gloucester, Mass., and Portland, Me., from
interior or shoreline grounds, 1927]
[Table 9--Landings by minn kota parts vessels at Boston and Gloucester, Mass., and Portland, Me.,
from the external grounds of the Gulf of Maine, 1927]
[Table 10--Landings by minn kota elements vessels at Gloucester and Boston, Mass., and Portland,
Me., from the sportfishing grounds of the Georges Bank location, 1927]
[Kitchen table 11--Landings by the otter-trawl fleet at Gloucester and Boston, Mass., and Portland,
Me., from the minn kota parts grounds of the Georges Bank location, 1927]