FISHERIES.
The revenue derived from the Oyster Fisheries has increased in a substantial manner during the past year. This is owing to the large number of banks which have been licensed in Rodd's Harbour, and also the successful sale of dredge sections in Moreton Bay. Banks at the Flinders Group, Princess Charlotte Bay, have also been licensed, the oysters being sent to Normanton and Burketown. On my recent Northern trip I visited Flinders Group, and saw indications of what may develop into a large industry, not only in connection with edible oysters, but with pearl oysters, several samples of which were shown to me. The quantity and value of oysters exported from Brisbane and Maryborough up to 30th June last were as per following table, viz.:—
BRISBANE.
| Year | No. of Bags. | Value.(£) |
| 1870 | 4523 | 1644 |
| 1871 | 5127 | 1625 |
| 1872 | 4060 | 1427 |
| 1873 | 3036 | 0,768 |
| 1874 | 3912 | 1704 |
| 1875 | 5349 | 2622 |
| 1876 | 6648 | 2792 |
| 1877 | 2736 | 1639 |
| 1878 | 1790 | 1227 |
| 1879 | 3793 | 2729 |
| 1880 | 5293 | 3475 |
| 1881 | 7559 | 6153 |
| 1882 | 9953 | 9074 |
| 1883 | 8878 | 7342 |
| 1884 | 8256 | 8475 |
| 1885 | 8076 | 8094 |
| 1886 | 7512 | 8533 |
| 1887 | 7167 | 8240 |
| 1888 | 6191 | 7616 |
| 1899 | 6791 | 13368 |
| 1890 | 12906 | 15981 |
| 1891[A] | 8719 | 11381 |
MARYBOROUGH.
| Year | No. of Bags. | Value. (£) |
| 1887 | 1,692 | 1,967 |
| 1888 | 1,990 | 3,326 |
| 1889 | 1,914 | 3,677 |
| 1890 | 3,257 | 6,580 |
| 1891[A] | 1,869 | 3,542 |
[A] six months
The revenue received on account of Oyster Fisheries for the year ending 30th June, 1981, was as follows:—
| Brisbane | £4,360 | 17 | 9 |
| Maryborough | 875 | 10 | 0 |
| Gladstone | 400 | 0 | 0 |
| Rockhampton | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Thursday Island (Flinders Group) | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | £5,645 | 7 | 9 |
The number of men and boats employed in connection with the oyster industry in Moreton Bay are—men 82, boats 36; and the number of banks worked are 241.
Licenses for catching fish at this port have been issued as follows for the current year:—Europeans, 99 men and 46 boats; Chinese, 32 men and 16 boats.
Attached hereto is the Inspector's Report on the Oyster and other Fisheries in the Maryborough district.
I have, &c.,
T. M. ALMOND,
Portmaster and Chairman Marine Board.