Economic Study of the Herring Fishery of Charlotte County, New Brunswick, 1956–1957

Abstract

This report presents the results of an economic survey of the herring fishery of Charlotte County, New Brunswick, conducted in 1957 and 1958. It contains: (a) a detailed account of the capital investment and income position of the fishermen who were engaged in the herring fishery during the years 1956 and 1957; (b) some evaluation of the economic effects which the construction of hydro-electric power dams in Passamaquoddy Bay would have on the herring fishery of the area.Except for a small complement of men employed on purse seiners, draggers and a few other modernized fishing craft, the fishing activity of Charlotte County fishermen is largely confined to inshore operations. As a result, the primary fishing industry is not highly capitalized. Average net incomes are also low compared with those prevailing in other industries, even with those derived from a number of fisheries elsewhere in the Maritime Provinces. Incomes from the weir fishery are particularly uncertain, in view of the wide fluctuation in yearly catches and the high, rigid operating costs. In contrast with weir fishing, purse seining has proven to be an efficient method of fishing in the region, and holds considerable promise for the improvement of earnings in the herring fishery.It is expected that the construction of the proposed power dams would add to the cost of maintaining and operating weirs in Passamaquoddy Bay, thereby reducing returns to owners and fishermen in this segment of the industry. In view of the low earnings now derived from weir fishing in certain sections of the area, it is likely that a number of weir owners would not continue to maintain their weir investments if the power dams were built.