Browns Bank. This bank lies in a northeastern direction from Georges
and is separated from it by a gully 15 miles wide, in which the depths
range from 100 to 450 fathoms. Its area is about 2,275 square miles. The
greatest length, from SE to NW, is 63 miles and the greatest width is 43
miles. It is situated between 64° 52" and 68° 29" west longitude, and
41° 50" and 43° 02" north latitude. There is a small rocky shoal on the
northern part, on which, it is said, there is not 9 to 15 fathoms. The
bank slopes away from the shoal, S. and E. to depths of 55 to 75
fathoms, but at a distance of 12 or 15 miles off, it again rises to 30
to 50 fathoms. This area of shoal water, within the 50 fathom limit, is
50 miles long and has an average width of 15 miles. North of the shoal
the water deepens suddenly to 70 and 80 fathoms. The bottom is largely
coarse sand, gravel, pebbles, and rocks and is rich in animal life. The
area of the bank is approximately 1,370 square geographical miles.
Tides here are quite as strong as on the eastern side of Georges Bank,
the ebb having an average strength of 1 1/3 miles an hour and the flood
is somewhat stronger. The greatest strength of the flood tide sets W.
the ebb in nearly an opposite direction.
Haddock, cod, cusk, halibut, pollock and hake are the principal food
fishes procured from this bank, ranking in volume in the order named. In
value, however, halibut takes third place in the list. Cod are plentiful
here in winter, though fewer vessels fish here than on Georges Bank, at
that season. At other seasons the codfishery on Browns Bank compares
favorably with that of other banks in the vicinity. Cod are present the
year around, in May and June feeding in depths of about 40 fathoms,
going into 80 fathoms in August, and into depths of about 100 fathoms in
cold weather.
Haddock, also, are present all the year, the period of greatest
abundance being usually January and February. In March and April they
are most abundant in 27 to 30 fathoms; at other seasons they are in 50
fathoms and deeper, especially in winter, when generally they can be
found in 80 to 100 fathoms. Cusk are present in the deep water all the
year.
Older reports say (1880-81): "Halibut were formerly found here in
abundance, but at present the fishery is limited to an occasional trip
off the southern and western edge." It will be noted that a fair amount
of halibut was taken here during 1923, when this bank ranked third in
volume of halibut taken, which seems a good showing when the
comparatively small size of the ground is considered. Fairly good
catches have been made SW from the Northwest Peak of Browns, about 66°
50' west longitude and 42° 40' north latitude, along the 100-fathom
curve and following eastward to the southward of La Have and beyond,
perhaps to 63° west longitude. The Southeast Peak is perhaps the most
productive of the halibut grounds here, "setting" off from the shoaler
parts into the narrow deep-water channel between this and Georges
perhaps 20 miles distant.
A considerable part of the fish listed under the heading "Miscellaneous"
are swordfish, which come upon this bank during their summer
wanderings.
It will be noted that the number of otter-trawl fares from this ground
is small. It is only in recent years that this method of fishing has
been employed here, the bottom having been thought to be too rough for
the successful operation of gear of this type upon it.
Seal Island Ground. This is called also on the charts in its northwest
part, the German Bank and lies off the western part of Nova Scotia. Very
few charts show it, as it is somewhat difficult to define its exact
limits. It is a direct continuation of the shore soundings, which slope
gradually from the land to the S. and W. and continue in a northerly
direction beyond what might be considered the bounds of the grounds. To
the S. it extends nearly to Browns Bank, from which it is separated by a
narrow gully 70 to 80 fathoms deep. To the N. it reaches 38 miles beyond
Seal Island and to the NW. about 35 miles from the same island. The
southern limit of the ground is in 43° and the northern 43° 45' north
latitude, while the western boundary may be placed at 66° 40' west
longitude. The entire ground outside the 3 mile limit covers an area of
1,250 miles.
There is a small shoal called Pollock Rip, with a depth of 7 fathoms,
bearing SW from Seal Island, distant 9½ miles; but otherwise the ground
slopes quite gradually, the depths being from 15 to 70 fathoms. The
bottom is mainly coarse gravel and pebbles with occasional rocky spots
of greater or less extent. The tides sweep over this ground with
considerable force out from and in toward the Bay of Fundy. the flood
running strongest.
In general, the species of fish found here and the seasons of their
greatest abundance are much as on Browns Bank. The principal fishes
taken are haddock, cod, cusk, halibut, and hake, and a very small amount
of pollock. Except for the haddocking, the best fishing season is from
March to October. Halibut are said to have been very plenty here in the
past but are said to have been comparatively rare in recent years,
although occasional good fares are brought from these grounds, perhaps
more commonly in the spring and early summer and a few at other seasons.
In April they are found most commonly in 80 fathom depths; in May in 30
to 40 fathoms, in June the best halibuting is had in 25-fathom depths or
even in shoaler water. (The halibut catch shown for the year chosen
(1927) is unusually small, most years yielding a fair amount of this
species from this ground. Apparently no member of the American halibut
fleet visited this ground for the year.)
Cod are present here the year around, perhaps the best fishing taking
place in May and June, when the fish are found in about 40 fathoms They
go into deeper water, about 60 fathoms, in August and into 100 fathoms as
the cold weather advances. This Seal Island ground may be considered
essentially as a feeding ground for the cod, which seem to appear here
after the spawning season is over, to fatten upon the crabs and mollusks
living on the bottom and on the herring and other small fish that swim
back and forth In the tide rips.
Haddock are also present all the year, the schools being most abundant
and the number greatest in January and February, when the fish are in
about 50 to 60 fathoms. Apparently they come into depths of from 27 to
30 fathoms in March and April for spawning.
Cusk are present here during most of the year in 80 fathoms on the hard
bottom. Pollock are few on this ground at any time of the year. This
species, together with herring and mackerel, are abundant on the "shore
soundings" of Seal Island Ground, whence, following the abundant food
furnished by the smaller fish, they range a short distance in to the Bay
of Fundy. Many mackerel are taken in the traps in the vicinity of
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, which seems to mark the limit of their
penetration in any considerable schools on the western shore of Nova
Scotia.
What is apparently a gradually deepening extension of Seal Island Ground
is found about 65 miles SSE. from Mount Desert Rock and 60 miles W. from
Seal Island. There seems to be no distinguishing name for this area.
The depths here are from 70 to 100 fathoms over a broken bottom of mud,
gravel, and in places fine sand. The ground falls off rapidly on all
sides except toward Seal Island and the Nova Scotia coast, leaving an
area at its end of somewhat indeterminate length, perhaps 18 or 20,
miles, and having a distance across of about 8 miles at its widest part.
Apparently there is no reason why this should not be an all-the-year
fishing ground, but it seems not to be visited much in the winter. It
furnishes, however, a very good summer handline fishery for cod at
dogfish time, and in the spring months it abounds in cod, cusk, and
hake, all fish of large size.
Roseway Bank. This bank lies N. of the western part of La Have and SE.
of Shelbourne Light, Nova Scotia: 31 miles SSE. from the whistling buoy
off Lockport, Nova Scotia, to the southeastern edge. It is oblong in
shape and of small extent--about 270 square geographical miles. Its
greatest length is 21 miles and its greatest breadth 15 miles. It
extends from 43° 12' to 43° 33' north latitude, and from 64° 25' to 64°
52' west longitude and at the northwest corner is connected with the
shore limit of 60 fathoms by a narrow neck. Depths are from 33 to 48
fathoms. The bottom is of sand, gravel, and rocks; on the Northeast Peak
the bottom is of yellow mud and gravel.
Currents in this region are not nearly so strong as about Cape Sable and
Browns Bank, their general direction being WSW. and ENE the westerly
much the stronger, though the force and direction of both are much
influenced by the winds.
The principal fish taken here are cod, haddock, and cusk, but hake,
pollock and halibut occur, the best fishing months being from May to
October, when the bank is resorted to by craft from western Nova Scotia.
A few New England craft also fish here.
La Have Bank. 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' west longitude a
distance of about 54 miles. The bank is nearly divided into two
portions, of which the eastern (La Have Bank proper) extends N and S. 39
miles and the western portion nearly E. and W. about 35 miles. The total
area of the bank is about 1,200 miles.
The bottom is largely coarse gravel, pebbles, and rock, with smaller
areas of sand distributed here and there. Depths run from 40 to 50
fathoms. The general set of the currents is to the westward, but this is
much influenced by the force and direction of the wind and is generally
quite strong during easterly blows.
The principal fishing upon this bank in the past has been for cod and
haddock: and while former reports, (1881) speak of this as having once
been a favorite fishing ground for halibut and state that it was not at
time of much importance in that fishery, the figures for this ground for
the year 1923 show the halibut catch to have been third in volume and
first in value of the species taken there. In fact, the catch of halibut
here makes quite an imposing figure when the comparatively small size of
the ground is considered.
Little La Have and the La Have Ridges are simply continuations of this
back toward the Western Bank for a distance of about 45 miles. This
places the eastern limit in about 62° 50' west longitude, the northern
and southern boundaries being about as those of La Have Bank. The area
of the ridges is about 1,575 miles. The bottom here is a succession of
ridges of pebbles and gravel with occasional patches of rocks. Depths
are from 53 to 80 fathoms. The current, occasionally strong, is weaker
here than farther W. on the bank and, except during easterly winds, is
but little noticed. The general set is westerly.
"The Ridges" says the report before mentioned, "were for a number of
years one of the favorite resorts for halibut catchers in winter, and
many good catches of cod were taken here at that season. At present but
few halibut are caught except in the deep water along the southern edge
of the ground, where they sometimes have been found quite plentiful
during nearly the entire year." Apparently there has not been much
change in these conditions since the writer's time; fish seem to be
present here In about the same quantities as in former years.
One piece of bottom, having depths of 25 to 50 fathoms over red clay,
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.
Apparently red-clay bottom indicates a good halibut ground, as this
species is usually present where such a bottom is found.
Hake are found in good numbers in the deep water about the edges of the
ground and even on the Ridges.
These waters are quite heavily fished from Canadian ports, and a fair
number of American vessels visit them each year, most of them hailing
from Boston or Gloucester.
Scandinavian Bank. Eighteen miles SSW. from Shelbourne Light. Nova
Scotia. It is about 3 miles long in an E. and W. direction by about ½
mile wide. In general, the bottom is level, with depths from 50 to 70
fathoms; the shoal parts are sharp and rocky, the bottom over the deeper
portions being composed mostly of small black 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 deeper waters about it.
It is also a fair summer cod ground, and cusk are present in the deep
water about the edges during most of the year. In general, species and
seasons are much as on Roseway.
Western Bank. This is one of the most important fishing grounds of the
western Atlantic, whether as regards size or the abundance of its
product. It lies S. of Cape Breton Island and the eastern part of Nova
Scotia between the parallels of 42° 55' and 44° 46' north latitude and
the meridians of 59°04' and 62° 35' west longitude. It has a length of
156 miles and a width, including the Middle Ground, of 76 miles. It is
about 420 miles E. ½ S. from Boston to the southwestern edge, which
means about 48 hours' steaming for the otter-trawl fleet.
The general contour of the bank within the 65-fathom line, as laid down
on the Admiralty chart, approaches somewhat a very elongated ellipse,
the longer axis running NE. by E. and SW. by W.; but over a broad area
to eastward of the center of the bank, soundings of less than 50 fathoms
connect it directly with the Middle Ground, which we have here included
in the some bank. The total extent of the bank thus defined is about
7,000 square geographical miles. Off its eastern end lies Banquereau
(the Quereau of the fishermen) with The Gully between, and a short
distance of the western edge are the La Have Ridges.
The depths off the southern edge of the bank increase rapidly from 80 to
700, 1,200, and even 1,400 fathoms. At the eastern end is Sable Island,
[16] "graveyard of ships", a long, narrow, crescent-shaped elevation
seemingly lessening in area each year, formed entirely of sand that has
been blown Into innumerable hummocks and dunes. Off both ends of the
island are long and dangerous sand bars. The length of the island is 20
miles; its greatest width is about 1½ miles. It is said that the
Northwest Light has been moved three times due to the fact that the
western end of the island has been literally blown away. It lies in an
E. and W. direction, and the depth of water over the bars for a distance
of 7 to 10 miles out does not exceed 2 fathoms, and even 10 miles
farther out the depths do not exceed 10 to 11 fathoms. Within recent
years fishermen have reported the appearance of a sand shoal about 5 or
6 miles SE. from the Northeast Light. This is said to appear at low
water.
In general, the bank slopes S. and W. from the island, depths ranging
from 18 to 60 fathoms. The bottom is mostly sandy with patches of gravel
and pebbles. Currents are sometimes very strong about Sable Island and
are somewhat irregular; apparently they are much influenced by the
winds. On the other parts of the bank usually there is but little
current, whatever there is usually tending toward the west.
Formerly the cod and halibut were the food fishes most taken here, but
with the changed methods in the fishery (as the growth of the
otter-trawl fleet) and a changed taste in our public the haddock catch
has become the second most important in the receipts of fish from these
waters. The halibut fishery stands third in the list. Other bottom
feeders occur in less numbers, the pollock and the cusk perhaps being
next in order of importance, with hake and a considerable amount of the
various flatfishes in the otter trawls. These latter are marketed as
sole.
Noting the small amount of haddock in the fares taken from these waters
in former years, the writer asked a number of old-time fishermen as to
its abundance in the old days. The reply was usually "Oh, yes, there
were always haddock there; sometimes they bothered us a lot." Then,
noting my surprise at so putting it, "You know, the haddock isn't much
as a salt fish."
It will be noted that in 1923 the haddock catch here was a very good
second to the cod catch in poundage, though not so valuable
proportionately. In the otter-trawl catch from this ground it will be
noted that the positions of the two species are reversed. As a rule,
these steamers certainly take more than 2 pounds of haddock to 1 of cod
on other offshore grounds--perhaps the result of operating in the
shoaler waters and on the smoother bottom because of the difficulty of
dragging over the rocky and kelp-covered ground, which the cod seems to
prefer. But the bottom on the Western Bank is of such nature as to offer
little obstruction to the passage of the net, so that virtually all
parts of it may be fished by this method; and this, added to the known
movements of the cod schools makes it possible at certain seasons of the
year to catch a larger proportion of this species if it is so desired.
Haddock are found about the bars at both ends of the island in March and
from that time to about June 1 in from 15 to 22 fathoms. They are also
abundant 18 miles W. from the Northwest Light at the same seasons and
at the same depths. During April, May, and June they come in close to
the island in from 10 to 17 fathoms--even to 1 fathom. Through the
rest of the year (except for the colder months, when they have moved off
into deeper water) they may be found all over the bank on sandy bottom
in 28 to 30 fathoms, where most of the beam trawl fishing is carried on.
There is a good cod school each year on the comparatively level bottom
along the western and southwestern edges of the ground in 70 fathoms and
more from February 1 to May 1, and in most years a certain amount of
this species is taken on this area. In May this school seems to have
moved on to a piece of bottom about 20 miles long lying SW. from the
Northwest Light and having depths averaging 27 fathoms. With fair
fishing for cod on the Western Bank during most of the year, they seem
to be most abundant from the first of March to June. The winter school
here appears to be smaller than that on Georges, but apparently this
species visits this ground in considerable numbers during the spawning
season. In winter the cod are mainly found upon the western part of the
bank, moving into the shoaler waters toward Sable Island as the spring
advances (during March and April), the "Bend" of the island and the
neighborhood of the bars in 2 to 4 fathoms, where they can be seen
taking the hook or can be "jigged." being favorite grounds. The ground
lying W. from the Northwest Light, on and about the Northwest Bar (18
miles W, from the light), is a favorite cod ground in May and June. The
shoal water over the rocky bottom WNW from the Northwest Light furnishes
good cod fishing from June 10 to July 1. This piece begins just outside
the 3-mile stretch of breakers running out from the land and extends
offshore in a generally westerly direction to 24 fathoms. Much
hand-lining is done here.
In the shoal water, in April and May, the fish seem to be feeding on the
"lant," (Ammodytes americanus). It is said that the fish taken on the
bottom close to the island are smaller than those found farther west.
The shoal water of the northern shore of the island is said to have good
cod grounds and favorite spots for "dory hand-lining." The cod schools
seem to arrive on the Northern Peak (SE. from the Northeast Light 40
miles to SE ½ S. from same point 28 miles) in late March and the first
of April, moving N. and W. to the island. The cod of Sable Island are
said to be fine, firm fish, perhaps due to the abundance of the "red
clams" (bank clams) on these grounds.
The cod and haddock fishery is carried on by American and Canadian
sailing vessels and otter trawlers, an increasing number of English and
French vessels of the latter class engaging in the fishery of this
ground each year.
Halibut are found on the Western Bank virtually all the year at depths
varying with the seasons. As a halibut bank, this, with The Gully and
Quereau--in fact, all one piece of ground--ranks second only to the Grand
Bank Itself. The best fishing here for halibut is found from January to
October. There are numerous places on and about the bank that the
halibut seems to prefer, as the Peak of Pike, 85 miles W. by S. from the
Northwest Light of Sable Island; S. and SW. of Sable Island from 12 to
38 miles; SW. 20 miles in 60 fathoms in May; thence out into 100 and 150
fathoms in June; in fact, following the 100--fathom curve along the
edge of this bank, past the Northeast Peak (40 miles SE. from the
Northeast Light), 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 fish are close to the island in the spring, where the
water is so shoal that they can be seen taking the bait or playing with
the hook before taking. In April, May, and June a good halibut ground is
in 18 fathoms 24 miles WNW. from Sable Island.
The Western Bank seems to be a good feeding ground for both cod and
halibut as it abounds in shellfish and crustaceans, and at certain
periods there are many smaller species of fish upon it, such as the lant
and herring, on which these species and the haddock, also, especially
prey. A considerable amount of swordfish is taken here in August and
September, mainly by American vessels.
Banquereau. Separated from the Western Bank by The Gully, this has a
very irregular form--the main bank roughly rectangular, with a narrow
westerly extension of comparatively regular form. Its length, E. and W.,
is about 120 miles, its greatest width about 47 miles, and its total
area about 2,800 miles.
The main portion of the bank lies between 44° 04' and 45° 01' north
latitude and 67° 10' and 59° 00' west longitude, and the western
prolongation lies between 44° 24' and 44° 42' north latitude and 69° 00'
and 80° 05' west longitude. North of Banquereau lies Artimon, distant
3 miles, and Misaine, distant from 2 to 15 miles according to the places
from which measurements are taken. The currents here are of varying
force, much influenced by the wind, so that several days of strong tides
may be followed by intervals when there is little if any current.
On the eastern part of Quereau is an area of shoal ground called the
Rocky Bottom, having a depth of about 18 fathoms; elsewhere depths run
from 18 to 50 fathoms. For the most part the bottom is rocky, but there
are scattered patches of sand and gravel.
Cod and halibut are the principal food fishes taken, hake, haddock, and
cusk being taken in small numbers. The Rocky Bottom, a shoal ground of
20 to 25 fathom depths on the eastern part, was much resorted to by dory
handliners in summer. The cod are most plentiful on the eastern part of
the bank, though occasional good fares are taken toward the west. The
best cod fishing on this bank is from May until September, when 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.
Apparently these are feeding and breeding grounds for this species, and
it is not unusual for a school to remain for weeks and even months in
one locality, though some of these may be fish in migration northward.
The principal halibut grounds are along the southern and eastern borders
of the bank--the Southwest Prong and the Southwest Cove (in about 44°
N. lat. and between 58° 30' and 58° 55' W. long), the Middle Prong (44°
14' N. lat. and 58° W. long.), and the Eastern Slope (44° 28' to 45° 00'
N. lat.)--in depths of 150 to 400 fathoms. These deep-water areas are
rocky and support a very rich growth of gorgonians, corals, sea
anemones, etc. The Eastern Slope has an abundance of bank clams in
depths of 25 fathoms. These beds are good hand-line grounds for cod. The
halibut, too, feeds to a considerable extent upon these red clams.
The Stone Fence off the eastern slope of Quereau is a very rocky piece
of ground full of "trees" (corals) in 250 fathoms. This is a good
halibut ground although it is almost impossible to haul the gear by hand
and the use of the "gurdy" (a roller turned by a crank and fastened to
the dory's bow for winding up the trawl) becomes necessary. Occasional
fares of halibut are taken on and about the Rocky Bottom 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 extends in an WNW. and an ESE. direction
north of Sable Island, turning somewhat abruptly S. at its eastern end
and continuing down between the eastern end of Western Bank and the
Southwest Prong of Banquereau. The entire length is about 80 miles, the
greatest width about 20 miles. Depths range from 68 to 145 fathoms over
a bottom of rocks, gravel, sand, and mud. The rocky and gravelly
portions form several ridges separated by areas of finer materials,
except in the eastern section, where the intervals between are mostly
covered by pebbles and sharp rocks. Ocean currents are generally
westerly, of varying strength, much affected by the easterly winds.
The Gully is a very important halibut ground. The halibut are not found
in great numbers all over the ground, perhaps the best of the fishing
being on the rocky and gravelly ridges and slopes included between the
meridians of 69° and 80° west longitude. This rocky bottom is rich in
food, and the lant and herring are usually plentiful here in their
season. In the spring the halibut seem to be especially numerous in the
northern and northwestern parts of the bank, later, in June and July,
moving farther out. Some, are found here in winter. While the cod is
sometimes found in The Gully in 60 to 90 fathoms, it does not seem to be
of regular occurrence; and apparently there are almost no haddock here,
probably because of the depth of the water and the nature of the bottom.
Artimon Bank. Has an area of some 120 square miles with a bottom of
gravel and rocks and depths of 38 to 50 fathoms. It is but little known
because of the tendency of the fishermen to use the larger grounds close
at hand. Cod are known to be present here, however. The bank lies N. of
the eastern part of Quereau, separated from it by a narrow, deep-water
channel.
Misaine Bank. Lies N. of the western two-thirds of Quereau, at one
place very near, but in general the banks are separated by some 20 miles
of deep water. Its greatest length is 80 miles and its greatest width 40
miles. Depths are from 40 to 60 fathoms over a bottom broken and rocky.
It is not of much importance as a fishing ground, although a few halibut
trips are landed from it in most years.
Canso Bank. A long, narrow extension of Misaine Bank, lying in an E,
and W. direction; its length is 45 miles and its greatest width 13
miles, its area being about 425 square miles. Depths range from 30 to 65
fathoms over a bottom of sand, with spots of gravel and pebbles. It is
not of much importance as a fishing ground, especially as judged by the
use of it by the American fleet, though more fished by vessels from Nova
Scotia; perhaps it is overshadowed by the presence of its larger
neighbors, Western and Quereau Banks, with which grounds it forms
virtually one piece of bottom, only narrow, deep-water channels
separating them. These larger grounds are heavily fished both by
American vessels and by those from Nova Scotia ports as well as by
French and English otter trawlers.
The statistics given here and elsewhere in this report are taken from
the published bulletins of the United States Bureau of Fisheries, and
include only the landings of vessels of 5 tons net, or over, at the
ports of Boston and Glouscester, Mass., and Portland, Me.
[Table 5--Fishing grounds of the offshore North Atlantic, showing
the principal species taken upon them]
[Footnote 16: "Pedro Reinel, a Portuguese pilot of much fame" (Herrera)
made a map in 1505 showing Sable Island, feared and dreaded by all
fishermen even in those days, where 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,
"Upon intelligence we had of a Portugal who was himself present when
the Portugals, above thirty years past (thus before 1551) did put upon
the island neat and swine to breed, which were since exceedingly
multiplied."]