The Portland daily press., 1882-10-02
FISH.
An Excitement over the Mackerel situa-
tion.

| The fish dealers are somewhat excited oyel
the mackered situation. The New England
| feet was detained in harbors most of last week
by the northeast storm, and, consequently, but
| few additions were made to the catch, which
for the past four weeks, has run smaller than
in September last year The total quantity Of
macksrel landed by the New England feet
from the opening of the season up to date Ii
302, 321 barrels against 261, 1924 barrels during
the same time last year. This shows gain OF
only 40,497 barrels, which Ii very small
quantity compared with the surplus two
months ago, and when it is consider ed that
last years stock was completely exhausted be-
fore the opening Of the present season. Dur
ing October last year, 81 ,26s barrels were land
ed by the feet, and in the same month two
years ago 1886 barrels were brought in, but
these were considered very large catshes, and
1t is very doubtful IL the coming month will
add SO much to this years catch. Dealers in
the large cities claim that the stocks now on
the market are much smaller than at this time
last year, and if the present weather holds out
much longer they look for real scarcity be-
fore the close of the year. The receipts of
mackerel in Boston from the Provinces last
week foot up $500 barrels, the largest for some
time previous, but the catch In Nova Scotia
and Prince Edward Island has been very
small, and as the season there is virtually over
many more large shipments need not be ex-
pected from that quarter.
Since January LIST to date the receipts from
the Provinces aggregate only 1926 barrels
against Al, 4S5 barrels for the same time in 1881.
and 66525 barrels in 1880. Compared with
last year this shows fallinff off of 22,0OO bar
rels. and with the year previous decrease Of
1900 barrels. There has been an improved
demand during the week from Western
dealers, but the high prices have somewhat
checked transactions, dealers being very firm,
IS to SO for No. 3, $11 to S12 for No. 2 and
VA to SIS per barrels for No. 1, in jobbing lots
THESE prices average about SO per barrel
higher than at this time last year, ana from
present appearances they are not likely to be
much lower. In fact, the ten daney is the
other way, and dealers are very Indifferent
about selling while the market continues in its
present unsettled condition. Last cargo sales
OF mackerel were at ST, $40 and $13 per bar
rel ior IS, rs and Is, respectively, but il the
receipts do not increase higher range NAV be
expected. The stock OF medium s. is very
small, and $7.75 per barrel has been refused
for lot which is held in this city. All the
mackerel received from the Provinces last
week sold at 81 to 50 per barrel higher than
week or two ago, and moro are wanted Adj
vices from Prince Edward Island, dated Sept
18TH state that the weather is very wild;
boats out only two days the past week; caught
no hsh IL is the opinion that the fall fishery
will be failure"
There is no indication of any lower prices on
codhsh. fair supply is coming forward, but
the demand is steadily increasing and some
kinds are still very scarce. So far the high
prices have not in any way ourtAied consump-
ton, and some dealers say that they are get
ting larger orders from the interior than ever
before. Pickled.cured Bank. which are now
come to hand at Sc TO Sc Is par quintAl in job
bling lots, and choice dry Bank Goldfish COM
mand $6.75 to 81 per quintal. Georges cod
hsh are selling at " 80 for large and 26 per
quintsl for medium. These prices are 81 10
W 90 per quintsl higher than at this time last
year Boneless Goldfish finds . pretty good
sale at from 81 to cents . pound, as to quail
y. Hake, paddock, pollock and cusk con-
tinue to go of readily at from $3.50 to 81 per
quintal, in large lots, with ne accumulated
stocks There is good demand for picked
herring from dealers, who are paying So 50
and $5.621 per barrel for the best shore splits.
These are jobbed at SO to 1928 per barrel. A
steamer is sn the way from Newfoundland to
Boston with cargo of nav Labrador herring,
which will no doubt command high price, as
the catch is said to be small. A cargo of $500
barrels new Labrador arrived at Montreal
early in the week, and held at 81 per barrel.
large Western demand for herring is sx-
pected this winter. Smoked herring are
little higher, and the cargo lots received during
the week sold readily at 16 cents per box for
No. l, and % cents for medium scaled job
bing lois command % cents.
Runners from Boston have been in town the
past few days in quest OF cod and paddock and
have offered eight and nine cents per pound.