poundage of halibut from
Georges and its vicinity. The Georges halibut is esteemed by the trade
above the halibut from other grounds. Perhaps its flesh may be superior,
though for what reason it is difficult to say, unless because, since the
trips to this ground average fewer days in length, the fish are received
in the markets in a fresher condition than are those from more distant
banks.

The principal halibut grounds on Georges for the spring and summer
months (April to July) lie between the Cultivator Shoal and the North
Shoal in depths from 10 to 18 fathoms, and E., S., and SW. from the
North Shoal in the same soundings. This area is sometimes called Little
Georges. There are also a number of mussel grounds on the southwest part
of Georges, having depths averaging 20 fathoms, all of which furnish
good feeding grounds and a substantial catch of halibut in the seasons
when these fish are in the shoal water.

During July and August the halibut are found along the Northern Edge,
over a stretch of ground about 65 miles long in 60 to 100 fathoms; and
from this time until the hard weather of the winter begins the fishing
goes on about the Northeast Peak (about 42 deg. 00' N. and 66 deg. 00'
W.) over the narrow area on the edge of the suddenly deepening water,
beginning in from 60 to 70 fathoms, then out to 200 and even 300
fathoms. The winter fishing on Georges is very difficult and somewhat
hazardous, so that the halibut fishery in these waters is rarely carried
on or, at best, by very few vessels after November or before March.

Mackerel are usually quite abundant on Georges in their season,
generally being large or medium fish. Herring also are found there in
good number but are somewhat distant from market as fresh fish.

[Table 4--Fishing grounds of the Georges Area, showing the principal
species taken upon them.]

By far the largest percentage of the swordfish catch landed in the ports
of Boston, Gloucester, and Portland comes from Georges Bank. A
considerable portion of the fish listed from this ground under the
heading "Miscellaneous" is made up of this species.

The swordfish arrive on Georges on the Southwest Part and on the
Southern Edge about June 5, and the traveling schools pass over the
bank, northward bound, up to August 10. In fact, all through the season
when they are present in northern waters, even up to November, they may
be found on Georges. Probably the best area of the bank for this speci