No. 4.] THE HARVEST OF THE SEA. 159 



for years. The catching of them in that stream was pro- 

 hibited by private laws for twelve years prior to 188G or 

 1887. They had then bred in great numbers there, and 

 people were allowed to go there for two or three years, 

 when they were taken in large quantities for bait and shipped 

 away, some five or six car-loads a year. In 1889, I think, 

 or in 1890, provisions were made for taking another crop, 

 but the catch was comparatively small. Whether that goes 

 to prove that the wholesale catching of them had anything to 

 do with their reduced numbers, or whether it was owing to 

 some of the unexplained reasons which Mr Bowker has told 

 us about, I cannot say, but certain it is they did not appear 

 after they were caught in such large numbers. 



With reference to the fishing around Buzzard's Bay to 

 which the speaker alluded, there is a general belief — whether 

 it can be backed up by scientific research I am not prepared 

 to say — that the food fish are being driven away by the 

 wholesale catchino; of menhaden and other fish of that sort. 

 Whether it is true or not I do not pretend to say, but I know 

 that the belief obtains among those shore fishermen. I am , 

 not a fisherman myself, but I know there are those who feel 

 very much aggrieved thereby. 



Mr. BoAVKEE. It has been said here that we had certain 

 rights as a colony before we went into the Union. I admit 

 that, but I want to ask if we did not relinquish certain 

 rights when we joined the Union? Was not the Union 

 formed for the purpose not only of self-protection but of 

 development on certain lines? Who improves and protects 

 our coast? Who dredges out our bays and rivers? The 

 United States. Who pays the bills? Every man in the 

 country. And every man in the country has a right to the 

 fish in the sea as well as the shore along the sea, whether he 

 lives on Buzzard's Bay or in Tennessee. 



The Chairman. The meeting now stands adjourned. 

 When this subject is l)rought up before the committee of the 

 Legislature I hope you will all be there. 



Afternoon Session. 

 The meeting was called to order at 2.20 by Secretary 

 Sessions, who said : It is time the exercises began. The 



