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The modern tourist industry has brought added variety to the ac- tivities of Island fishermen. One instance of this is the interest currently been taken in the tuna fishery. In the past there were isolated instances of the big fish being taken during the course of traditional fishing oper- ations, as was the case in 1931 when Wendell Glover caught one in a salmon net. Today, tuna are being actively sought to provide entertain- ment for summer visitors. Occasions, such as the landing of a 700‘ pound specimen by Fred Pigot in July of 1973 are likely to become commonplace; indeed, the “Heather Mary,” the boat from which the tuna was caught, is employed by its owner, Mr. Joseph MacDonald, in a regular deep—sea fishing service for tourists. Such an occupation was undreamed of a few years ago.

The Examiner of February 17, 1893 reported that during the cur- rent winter upwards of 30 tons of smelts had been taken out of the three- mile stretch of the Hillsborough River between Scotchfort and Mount Ste- wart Bridge. Packed in barrels with ice and shipped by train, smelts fished on a particular day would be on the Boston market within 24 hours. They were received and sold by dealers on a commission basis, and the proceeds, called “returns,” were remitted to the fishermen. Another des- tination for Island smelts and eels was the vast Fulton Fish Market of New York City where such dealers as A. F. Rich & (30., Austin Haley and Stillman & .Banks promised high prices and prompt returns to generations of fishermen. In general, they were as good as their word. The smelt fishery is still vigorously pursued.

The stretch of the Hillsborough above and below Mount Stewart is a very productive area for oysters. On the average 8-10 fishermen fish the area each season with an average catch of 2 boxes per day per man. This situation roughly approximates that of 1906 when it was reported that oysters from the Hillsborough brought from $3-4 per barrel and that a good fisherman averaged between $4-5 per day during the season. A problem with which the 1906 fisherman did not have to contend was water contamination. While there are indications that, with the installation of a modern sewage system in the village, this is lessening, it has been necessary to relocate oysters taken at Mount Stewart in other areas for a time until they have been sufficiently cleansed to be marketable.

Probably the greatest single improvement to affect the fishing in- dustry during its long history occurred with the introduction of gasoline engines for fishing boats in 1910. The pioneer in this regard at Savage Harbour was Mr. James (Jim John) MacIntyre. Up until this time, de- pendent on uncertain wind conditions, the fisherman had, very often, to fall back upon the power of his own arms. The new invention also meant that the fisherman could increase his returns by fishing farther and far- ther from shore.

One of the most persistent problems at Savage Harbour has always been the constant silting up of the harbour due to the action of the pre- vailing winds. These winds blow from the south-west, and their effect was to cause the harbour mouth to gradually work towards the east. Periodic storms, however, effected breakthroughs farther west, and the process was thus continually repeating itself. The so-called “Harbour Ques- tion” was the topic of a meeting held in the school house on January 4, 1905 where it was resolved that the Ottawa Government should be petitioned, “in View of the vast amount of drift sand to which the present harbour is

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