er
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 deg. and the northern 43 deg. 45'
north latitude, while the western boundary may be placed at 66 deg. 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 1/2 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