1288 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



interferes with and reduces the local catch of codfish. I am of opinion 

 that the scarcity of codfish the past summer along our south and west 

 coasts is attributable to the presence of the French and of the Ameri- 

 cans fishing on the outer Banks ; but chiefly to the United States fish- 

 ermen, who are well supplied with fresh bait, whereas French fishermen 

 principally use salted bait. 



The catch of codfish the last season by fishermen of this neighbor- 

 hood will only come to twenty quintals per man ; in former years the 

 average was from eighty to ninety quintals per man. 



The number of craft of this harbor engaged each year in supplying 

 bait to the French is about thirty, and these vessels take to St. Peter's 

 from this per annum 1,000 hogsheads caplin, valued at 10,000 francs, 

 and from Fortune Bay; 15,000 barrels herring, valued 40,000 francs 

 of the latter about seven thousand barrels would be thrown away, 

 being unsalable at St Pierre. 



There is one ice-house at this harbor where ice is preserved for sale 

 to United Stated fishermen, principally for the preservation of fresh 

 bait. The quantity of ice sold to United States fishermen at this har- 

 bor per last summer sales is tons. 



GEOKGE BISHOP. 



Sworn before me, "at Burin, this sixth day of December, A. D. 1875. 



I. O. FBASER, 

 Commissioner of Affidavits. 



No. 166. 



GEORGE AMBROSE HICKMAN, aged 33 years, master mariner and 

 planter, residing at Grand Bank, Newfoundland, maketh oath and 

 saith : 



I have become acquainted with the Newfoundland fisheries by follow- 

 ing the same for twenty years. 



I have observed a large number of United States fishing vessels in 

 this neighborhod from time to time; this summer there have been over 

 three hundred such vessels in this bay. These vessels came to purchase 

 bait, and they did so purchase fresh herrings for bait. 



I have sold fresh bait to United States fishing vessels; the number 

 baited by me has been from twelve to fifteen vessels. Each vessel took 

 from forty to sixty barrels herring ; the price paid for such herrings at 

 and in the neighborhood of Grand Bank has been about sixty cents per 

 barrel. I have seen United States vessels fishing off Pass Island, inside of 

 the headlands; this I have seen frequently, and at such times they al- 

 ways fished within three miles of the headlands, from Cape Lahune to 

 Point May. 



Newfoundland fishermen catch codfish within three miles of the shore 

 except in exceptional instances, when they go off certain special seasons 

 to six to nine miles off the coasts, but generally the fishing is prosecuted 

 along shore. The capliu, herring, and squid fisheries, used for bait, 

 are taken near the shore, and are always inshore fisheries, never being 

 taken at a greater distance than half a mile from the coasts. I never 

 heard of a Newfoundland vessel prosecuting any fishing voyage on the 

 coasts of the United States of America. I have no knowledge of United 

 States fishermen selling codfish or other fishery produce in this neigh- 

 borhood. From thirty to forty American vessels frequent Fortune Bay 

 in winter for herrings for freezing, which they always purchase from 

 Newfoundland fishermen. Their average cargo of such herrings has 

 been about six hundred barrels. 



