AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1179 



I bare observed United States fishing-vessels in this neighborhood, 

 but can only name two, namely, in the year 1874 : D. E. Woodbury, 

 D. E. Collins, 65 tons, Gloucester ; G. P. Whitman. J. McDonald, 04 

 tons, Gloucester. 



These vessels came here to purchase fresh bait, which they procured, 

 and then sailed away for the Grand Banks. No American vessels have 

 fished in this immediate neighborhood, that I am aware of. 



The Newfoundland fishery is an inshore fishery. The caplin, herring, 

 and squid fisheries, used for bait, are all inshore fisheries. The caplin 

 is taken in the laud wash, herrings frequently so, and squid from half to 

 quarter of a mile from the shore, but generally in the coves and harbors. 

 I never heard of a Newfoundland vessel prosecuting or attempting to 

 prosecute any fishery on any of the coasts of the United States of 

 America. 



American fishermen have not sold any small codfish in this neighbor- 

 hood. From thirty to fifty American vessels frequent Fortune Bay in 

 winter for the purchase of fresh herrings, to be frozen and conveyed to 

 the United States, viz, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. 

 Their cargoes consist of from six hundred to one thousand barrels. The 

 price paid, is about a dollar per barrel, and when very scarce, one and 

 one-half dollars per barrel. 



I am positive that the presence of the large number of United States 

 vessels fishing on the Banks off our coast, using fresh bait, greatly 1 re- 

 duces the catch of our local fishermen, and that the short catch of our 

 people Jast summer is owing to this cause. 



The bait sold at St. Pierre by schooners belonging to this harbor, 1 

 estimate as follows, per annum: 



Herrings taken at Fortune Bay, viz, 3,400 barrels herrings, value, 

 23,800 fnmcs; 7,000 hogsheads caplin, taken at Laraaliue, 70,000 francs. 



The average catch of codfish per man, previous to the last two years, 

 has been from sixty to eighty quintals ; last year it was about twenty 

 quintals ; and the present year it has been fifteen quintals per man. 



HENRY BE3NING, 



Subcollector. 



Sworn before me, at Lamaline, this 1st day of December, 1876. 



J. 9. FRASER, 

 Commissioner of Affidavits. 



No. 64. 



JAMES 'REEVES, aged 68 years, planter, residing at St. Lawrence, 

 Newfoundland, maketh oath and saith 



That I have become acquainted with the Newfoundland fisheries by 

 prosecuting the same during the past forty-eight years. I have seen a 

 large number of United States fishing vessels in Fortune Bay and else- 

 where, but cannot name any, my desire was to keep clear of them and 

 they to keep clear of us. These American vessels visit those quarters for 

 bait, which they generally purchase from our fishermen, which they gen- 

 erally procure. I have baited two United States vessels with fresh her- 

 rings; can't remember their names. Newfoundland fishermen generally 

 fish within two mile of the shores. The caplin, herring, and squid fish- 

 eries used for bait by Newfoundland fishermen are inshore fisheries, 

 being followed in the coves and harbors along the coast. I never heard 

 of a Newfoundland vessel prosecuting any fishing voyage on any of the 

 coasts of the United S^tes of America, and don't believe our vessels 

 ever go on such a voyage. 



