1204 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



1. I have been engaged in tbe fisheries for forty years, and have 

 fished mackerel, herring, codfish, halibut, haddock, pollock, and hake 

 along the southern coast of Nova Scotia, eastern side of Cape Breton, 

 in the Bay of Chalenr, around Prince Edward Island, and the Magda- 

 lene Islands for twelve years. I have fished as master of a vessel. 



2. About twelve years ago, I have seen in Port Hood, in the island 

 of Cape Breton, over three hundred sail at one time about fifty or 

 sixty were Nova Scotian, the remainder Americans. About eight years 

 ago I havg seen upwards of one hundred at one time on the coast of 

 Prince Edward Island, fishing mackerel. These vessels fished inshore 

 for mackerel, and were American vessels. I, along with other Nova 

 Scotian captains, have made calculations when fishing in the Bay of Cha- 

 leur, and we concluded that there were upwards of four hundred Ameri- 

 can vessels at the time fishing mackerel in the bay. Mackerel must be 

 fished inshore, as they are an inshore fish. The American vessels carry 

 from twelve to eighteen men each. Around Bay of Chaleur and the 

 Banks there would not be less than three or four hundred vessels en- 

 gaged in taking codfish. Codfish vessels carry from twelve to eighteen 

 men. Some American vessels are fitted out for halibut alone, but take 

 large codfish, throwing away the small codfish. The Americans trawl 

 for halibut and codfish. 



3. The American vessels take two to four hundred barrels of mackerel 

 each, and some of them make three trips. American codfishmen take 

 from one thousand to eighteen hundred quintals of codfish each, and 

 make three trips. 



4. While in the Bay of Chaleur this summer, I have seen tbe Ameri- 

 cans with purse seines, and told me that they used them ; and these 

 purse seines, in my opinion, spoil the fishery. I have never seen any 

 Canadian vessels with purse seines . 1 am acquainted with thirty or 

 forty vessels which run out of Lune nburg ever}' year, and none of these 

 carry purse seines. 



5. The throwing overboard of gurry w hich is practiced on the grounds 

 is very injurious to the fishing-grounds. 



6. Unless the Americans got bait and ice they could not carry on the 

 fishery of cod and halibut. 



GEORGE CONRAD. 



Sworn to at Luneuburg, in the county of Laueuburg, this 4th day of 

 August, before me. 



JOSEPH W. LOCKHART, J. P. 



No. 87. 



In the matter of the Fisheries Commission at Halifax, under the Treaty 



of Washington. 



I, GEOFFREY COOK, of Rose Bay, in the county of Lunenburg fisher- 

 man, make oath and say as follows : 



1. I have been sixteen years constantly engaged in the fishery. I have 

 for two years fished as skipper. I have fished around Cape Breton, 

 Prince Edward Island, on the eastern side of New Brunswick, on the 

 Labrador coast, and along the southern coast of Nova Scotia. I have 

 caught mackerel for bait, and have been mostly engaged in taking cod- 

 fish, and am at present well acquainted with the inshore fishery in Luneii- 

 burg County. 



2. While in the Bay of Chaleur, the summer before last, I saw many 

 American vessels there engaged in fishing, and have also seen many of 



