COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 33 



growing is evidenced by many inquiries received by this Commission 

 during the past season from sportsmen Uving in other states as well 

 as Rhode Island. If this interest can be maintained and increased 

 and the sport popularized to the extent of inducing the Tuna 

 fishermen to visit our shores, an entirely new source of income for 

 our native fishermen and boatmen should result. Thousands of 

 dollars are annually paid to the boatmen of Catalina Island, and many 

 more thousands paid to the proprietors of hotels and vendors of 

 supplies and fishing tackle. 



As evidence of the magnitude of this industry from a commercial 

 standpoint we append a statement furnished by Mr. Andrew V. 

 Willis, Deputy Lobster Commissioner at Block Island. 



Block Island, January 12, 1914. 

 INIr. Charles W. Willard, 



President, Commission of Inland Fisheries, 

 Westerly, R. I. 



Dear Sir: — . . . (In regard to) the report on Tuna fishing 

 at Block Island that you asked me to look up and send to you, 

 would say, that it has been quite a job to get the true account, but 

 at last I thmk I have it and am sending it to you according to the 

 best of my knowledge and (that of) the best Tima fishermen here. 



From the 25th of July to 20th of October, 10,000 were caught by 

 hook and Ime, averagmg from 15 to 30 lbs. In (the) same period 500 

 in traps, averaging 500 to 800 lbs., and caught with swordfish iron 

 around 150 from September 10th to October 10, averaging from 

 400 to 900 lbs. 



This report is verified by, 



Rep. H. K. LITTLEFIELD, 

 N. B. ROSE, Tuna Fisherman, 

 M. S. BARBER, Tuna Fisherman. 



Yours verj'- truly, 



(Signed) ANDREW V. WILLIS, 



Deputy Lobster Commissioner. 



