1222 AWARD OP THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



know that they also purchased squids from local fishermen. One of 

 these United States fishing-vessels had a caplin-seiue hung up drying, 

 for which he asked me 17, it being a large seine. Several of the ves- 

 sels referred to above fitted out at my place with wood and water. I 

 sold them wood, for which they paid in money. 



I consider the traffic of these United States fishermen in bait injures 

 this fishery, and must decrease the supply for local purposes. Fisher- 

 men cannot have too much bait, and more care is being observed every 

 year to protect this fishery, to secure fishermen in a necessary supply, 

 but the prospects under the treaty, giving Americans the privilege to 

 fish in our waters, are not improved. 



GEORGE BUTLER. 



Sworn before me at Northern Gut, Conception Bay, this 30th April, 

 1877. 



J. O. FRASER, 

 Commissioner of Affidavits. 

 No. 104. 



STEPHEN PARSONS, aged 57 years, planter and fisherman, residing at 

 Bay Roberts, Conception Bay, Newfoundland, maketh oath and saith : 



I have followed the fisheries of Newfoundland for forty-five years, and 

 have a practical knowledge of the same in all their branches. I saw five 

 United States fishing-vessels in this neighborhood last year. There 

 were three of these vessels anchored on the squid-jigging ground one 

 day last fall. They were off and on throughout the season in this and 

 neighboring harbors. Men and masters of these vessels told me they 

 came for fresh bait, and had been in Bay Bulls and other southern har- 

 bors, following the bait wherever it was to be found. It was squid-bait 

 they were after here; but they also came upon our shores for caplin and 

 herrings for bait. Oue of the vessels that called here had made two trips 

 to the United States, one with halibut and another with codfish, and 

 this vessel was on her third trip when she called here. The captain of 

 this vessel told me that he did better than formerly, and was much 

 aided by the facility of procuring bait on our shores to the great saving 

 of time, as they were seldom twenty-four hours in making the Banks 

 and beginning fishing after leaving our shores. Newfoundland fisher- 

 men generally catch codfish within one or two miles of our shores. The 

 Newfoundland fishery (cod) is an inshore fishery. The bait fishery, 

 caplin, herring, and squid is an inshore fishery, and is never taken two 

 miles from the shore, except in rare instances, when squids are caught 

 by craft fishing on Cape Ballard Bank and such places. I never knew 

 or heard of a Newfoundland fishing-vessel prosecuting any voyage on 

 any of the shores or coasts of the United States of America. The sup- 

 ply of bait to United States fishing-vessels has injuriously affected the 

 supply to local fishermen. It has done so in a year when bait was con- 

 sidered plentiful; in a year of scarcity it would be ruinous. I am cer- 

 tainly of opinion that the operations of United States fishermen on the 

 Banks off our coasts, well supplied with fresh bait, interferes with and 

 tends greatly to reduce the catch of local fishermen, and that their whole 

 traffic in connection with the fisheries and bait supply on our shores 

 must result in permanent injury to our fisheries and in great loss to our 

 people. United States vessels do refit in this neighborhood when re- 

 quired. 



his 



STEPHEN + PARSONS. 



mark 



