AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1287 



ing to take fish on any of the coasts of the United States of America. 

 About twenty-five sail of American vessels have frequented Fortune 

 Bay for the purchase of frozen herrings; they do not catch for them- 

 selves, finding it cheaper to buy from Newfoundland fishermen. 



Formerly American fishermen used to catch large quantities of hali- 

 but about Pass Island in this bay. Captain McDonald got a load there. 

 A British; war ship, the Racoon, stopped their fishing for halibut, and 

 they have not since renewed it. American fishermen frequent this 

 neighborhood regularly in passing to and fro. Newfoundland fishermen 

 did catch a large quantity of halibut about Pass Island. 



I am aware that the supply of bait to American fishermen acts inju- 

 riously upon Newfoundland by attracting fish outside and preventing it 

 coming in toward the shore. 



1 think the short catch of fish on the southwest coast of Newfound- 

 land is caused by the Americans fishing on the outer Banks. 



This neighborhood offers great facilities for the preservation of ice, 

 which I am aware has been largely supplied to American fishermen for 

 the preservation of bait purchased from Newfoundland fishermen as 

 aforesaid. 



his 



SAMUEL + FIANDElt. 



mark. 



Sworn before me, at Harbor Breton, this 3d day November, 1876. 



j. p. ERASER, 

 Commissioner of Affidavit*. 



No. 165. 



GEORGE BISHOP, aged 50 years, trader, residing at Burin, Newfound- 

 laud, maketh oath and saith : 



I have become acquainted with the fisheries of Newfoundland by over 

 thirty years' experience. 



1 have observed United States fishing vessels in this neighborhood. 

 The past season I have observed about twenty of these vessels. I can 

 only name a few : Gleaner, Capt. Lyons. 



These vessels came to this neighborhood to purchase fresh bait and 

 ice, which thjey procured by purchasing from our people. The captain 

 of the Gleaner purchased bait to the value of $20. 



Newfoundland fishermen catch fish, generally, within two miles of the 

 shore, there being exceptional instances only when codfish is taken from 

 six to nine miles off the coasts. 



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

 and squid fisheries used for bait are altogether inshore fisheries. 



I never heard of a Newfoundland fishing vessel having prosecuted any 

 fishery on any of the coasts of the United States of America. 



American fishermen have not, to my knowledge, sold any small fish or 

 other fishery produce in this neighborhood. American vessels have 

 fished for codfish on our grounds off Cape Saint Mary's. American mas- 

 ters partially refit their vessels occasionally at this port, but have not 

 here transshipped their cargoes. 



I undoubtedly think that the supply of bait to United States fisher- 

 men decreases the supply of bait to our local fishermen. They employ 

 our people to sweep the coves, who have done so, leaving no bait after 

 them. 



I do think that the presence of the large number of United States 

 vessels fishing with fresh bait on the Banks off our coasts greatly 



