AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1163 



Deponent further states, that the Newfoundland cod fishery is an in- 

 shore fishery, as is the bait fishery, being prosecuted within three miles 

 of the shore. The supply of bait to United States fishermen along our 

 shores acts injuriously on local fishermen, for although it is true that 

 there is an abundant supply of such bait, yet the very large quantities 

 required by United States fishermen and their extensive operations in 

 procuring such frequently drives bait from coves and inlets where the 

 local fishermen were accustomed to get their supply, and where their 

 facilities enabled them to obtain what bait they needed, whereas they 

 have not the conveniences of following the bait from harbor to harbor; 

 and, further, the bait being thus driven from these localities, codfish also 

 disappear, as they follow the bait ; the result being that the local catch has 

 become precarious, and a marked reduction is evident since United States 

 fishermen began the bait trade in these waters. 



Deponent is well informed in affirming that one million dollars is a 

 moderate valuation of the fish consumed for food, bait, and agricultural 

 purposes by the inhabitants of Newfoundland, and that an average esti- 

 mate of the profit on the yield of the inshore fisheries of Newfoundland 

 would and does exceed twenty per cent., as is shown by the annexed 

 statements marked A and B, which were carefully compiled from the 

 books of the firm of whose business this deponent is managing partner. 



The traffic in bait by United States fishermen is an absolute injury to 

 the people of this country and represents no actual money profit to our 

 fishermen. 



Commercially the Treaty of Washington has not benefited Newfound- 

 land by creating an extra demand or outlet for any of the produce of 

 this country, nor can such be expected, inasmuch as United States fish- 

 ermen, enjoying equal rights with Newfoundland fishermen, will fully 

 supply their own markets with fish, and the exports of oils have not 

 increased since the Treaty of Washington came into operation. 



In explanation, I wish to state that the reason why I say that the 

 bait traffic is of no money profit to our fishermen is, first, the amount 

 paid for bait is small and no compensation for the labor of procuring 

 the same, and secondly the fishermen could be more profitably employed 

 in catching codfish, which would yield them a much larger profit, and as 

 a fact, fishermen engage in this bait traffic for the purpose of obtaining 

 a little ready cash, the greater part of which they waste in dissipation. 



EGBERT S. MUNN. 



Sworn before me. at Harbor Grace, Newfoundland, this 27th July, 

 1877. 



J. O. FRASER, 

 Commissioner of Affidavit*. 



