If you have a fishing ancestor in the USA and you know the name of the vessel they worked on, you may find them in our Canadian waters or on our shores with vessels mentioned in the reports of the Department of Fisheries.
In Canada the reports of Department of Fisheries list names of US vessels that were issued fishing licenses in Canada, as well as vessels that came into port for repairs, shelter, or some other reason.
Our Coast Guard came under the Department of Fisheries from 1868-1936, and was called Fisheries Protection Service. After 1936 it came under the Department of Transport. In 1962 it was officially named the Canadian Coast Guard. In 1995 the Coast Guard was transferred back to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. US vessels fishing out of bounds were seized by Protection Services until fines were paid.
The August 1855 edition of the Monthly Nautical Magazine (published in New York) told of the Launching of "La Canadienne", the primary vessel used by the Protection Service.
The Fisheries Protection Services were responsible for enforcing Canada's fishery laws, issuing fishing licenses, providing aids to navigation and providing assistance to vessels in trouble.
Lists of those Canadians who were issued Masters & Mates certificates can be found in the Sessional Papers of Canada.
Relevant Links
Canada Fisheries Protection Service 1890
Salaries of Protection Services 1901 (wages)
List of those granted awards for saving life 1893
List of persons granted rewards for gallant and humane services in saving life, 1872
Fishing Bounties paid to Vessel Owners 1890 (name of vessel and owner)
Annual Reports of Department of Marine and Fisheries
List of US vessels in Port of Canso, Nova Scotia 1890
Lists of US vessels at different ports, 1893
Vessels boarded by Officers of the Marine Police 1873
Life Boat Stations 1893
Certificates granted to Masters and Mates, 1873
Names of Fisheries Officers 1887
US Coast Guard
Denmark Fisheries and Protection Services
Irish Coastguards of Yesteryear
Returns of Applications for Oyster Fishing Licenses in Ireland 1867
Certificates granted for Salmon or Trout fishing, Ireland 1873
A return for years 1890 to 1900 of prosecutions undertaken in Ireland of masters of beam or otter trawl vessels for infringement of the byelaws of the Fishery Board
Whaling History and databases *(added Mar 2018)
Whaling History and databases *(added Mar 2018)
Related Posts: Sessional Papers - Masters and Mates Certificates
