AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1317 



been very extensive for mackerel between Cape Chat and Magdalen 

 Biver, a distance of 63 miles. 



3. To the best of my knowledge, about 100 vessels have visited these 

 shores yearly during the period mentioned mackerel-fishing. 



4. These schooners used to make good voyages yearly, and their car- 

 goes averaged 350 barrels of mackerel each trip. These schooners 

 average about 65 tons, with a crew of about 15 men. 



5. The mackerel fishery seems to have decreased, but the cod and 

 herring fisheries are the same as formerly. 



6. The Americans take mackerel by means of hand lines and wines. 



7. During the Reciprocity Treaty, on this coast the Americans have 

 always fished for mackerel inshore. 



8. It is the common practice of the Americans to come in among our 

 boats, and by throwing bait, entice the fish away with them, thereby 

 causing us a great loss. 



9. I know that the American fishermen have used the hauling-seines 

 very often. I once helped to load an American schooner in the Mag- 

 dalen Eiver with mackerel. They were all taken with a hauling seine 

 inshore. 



10. Since 1871 the codfishery has greatly increased. I believe it is 

 owing to the absence of Americans from our waters. Mackerel wore 

 very plenty last year, and a great increase over former years. 



11. Mackerel feed inshore on lance, sea-fleas, and other small animals. 



12. It is a great advantage to Americans to be able to transship 

 cargoes, because it enables them to keep on the fishing grounds and 

 to double and triple their fares. 



13. It is of no advantage to us to be able to fish in American waters; 

 and 1 don't know of any vessel from here ever going there to do so. 



14. Fishing by Americans in our waters injures our fishing operations 

 to a great extent. It brings in a competition that we cannot sustain, 

 they having better vessels and better gears. 



15. Some years ago three American vessels came and anchored in 

 Magdalen Eiver until they had their full load of halibut. They caught 

 them with trawls, and all inshore. 



his 

 CHAELES + FOUEXIEE. 



mark. 

 Witness : 



A. D. JOHNSTOtfE. 



Sworn to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief, at Magda- 

 len Eiver, county of Gaspe, Province of Quebec, Dominion of Canada, 

 this 27th day of July, A. D. 1877, before me. 



L. LAVOIE, 

 Justice of the Peace, Province of Quebec. 



No. 191. 



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



of Washington. 



I, ALEXIS NOIL, of Fox Eiver, county of Gaspe", Province of (Quebec, 

 fisherman, make oath and say as follows: 



1. Have been acquainted with all the fisheries on this coast from (1 

 fin's Cove to Chlorydrome, a distance of 33 miles, for the last 

 From 1854 to 1866 the fishing by the Americans has been verj 

 sive. The number of American vessels that have visited these shores 



