AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1331 



American schooners mackerel fishing in this vicinity. Those schooner* 

 are from 50 to 100 tons, some even larger, and are manned by 10 to 15 

 men. 



5. The American captains to whom I have spoken told me they gener- 

 ally made good voyages, generally two, but even three voyages during 

 each season. 



6. These schooners would, on an average, take from 400 to 500 bar- 

 rels of mackerel from our shores each trip. 



7. The fisheries are much the same, generally speaking, as in times 

 past, but the cod fishery has greatly increased this season, and is far be- 

 yond an average so far. 



8. The mackerel is caught by the Americans both with seines and 

 hand-lines. 



9. The Americans have, in my opinion, always taken most of their 

 fish within the limits. 



10. The inshore fishery is by far the most valuable, as herring, cap- 

 lin, smelt, clams, launce, at least two-thirds of the mackerel, and a great 

 portion of the codfish are taken within the limits. 



11. It has always been a common complaint with our fishermen that 

 American schooners came inshore and enticed the mackerel away by 

 feeding them, thus preventing our fishermen from catching any more. 



12. Another complaint with our fishermen has always been that the 

 Americans came inshore to set their nets for bait, thus preventing them 

 from getting sufficient for their own wants. 



13. I have often seen American schooners come into Mai Bay to set 

 their nets for bait. 



14. Our fishermen catch the same fish as are taken by the Americans 

 along our shores. 



15. The absence of American fishermen from our waters since 1871 

 has no doubt been the main cause of the increase of the cod fishery, aa 

 they have thus allowed our fishing grounds to be restocked. 



16. Herring are all caught inshore, those caught by the Americans on 

 this coast being for bait only. 



17. I have always understood from the Americans that our mackerel 

 was of superior quality to their own, and fetched a better price in the 

 American markets. 



18. There can be no doubt that the right to land, dry, and repair nets 

 on our coast will be an important benefit to the Americans. 



19. The transshipment of cargoes will also be an important ad vantage 

 to the Americans, as it will enable them to keep on the fishing grounds, 

 and thus double their fares. 



20. The buying and catching of bait is also a great benefit to the 

 Americans. When they buy, it is in order to save time. 



21 The Americans conld not carry on tue cod and halibut fisheries to 

 advantage without the privilege of procuring bait within the limits. 

 Halibut is generally caught within a mile of the coast along the north 

 shore of the St. Lawrence. 



22. The right to fish in our waters by Americans is, and must ever 

 a serious injury to our fishermen, who cannot cope with them, on account 

 of the superiority of their vessels and fishing gear. 



JOHN VAEDON, J. P. 



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

 county of Gaspe", Pravince of Quebec, Domiuiuiou of Canada, this 

 day of August, A. D. 1877, before me. 



JAMES ALEXANDER, 

 Justice of the Peace, Province of (Jucbtc. 



