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Page 43
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 9� 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.)
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