1404 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



4. During the past two or three years the catch of mackerel has been 

 somewhat less than formerly on the coast of Cape Breton. But I regard 

 this diminution as merely accidental and temporary. These grounds 

 are exceedingly rich in fish, and I have no hesitation in giving it as my 

 opinion that the mackerel fisheries on this coast will be as productive 

 and valuable during the next eight years as during the eight years just 

 past. The mackerel season forthe present year has only j ust commenced, 

 but the prospects are favorable. 



5. From what I have observed and from information received from. 

 American fishermen, I should judge that at least one-half of the car- 

 goes taken from this coast were caught inside of three miles of the 

 shore. And always late in the season as the autumn approaches much 

 the larger part of the fish are taken within three miles of the shore. 

 The privilege of the shore-fishing is valuable on account of prolonging 

 the fishing season. 



6. The privilege accorded to American fishermen of taking fish with- 

 in three miles of the coast is of very great value to them. I have no 

 hesitation in saying that if they were restricted to the Treaty of 1818, 

 they would be compelled to abandon the fisheries or nearly so. 



7. The American fishermen do catch bait within three miles of the 

 coast to some extent, but they purchase a great deal of it now from 

 traders. The privilege of catching and procuring bait from our ports 

 I consider a very great advantage to the United States fishing-fleet, and 

 enables them not only to carry on their operations with greater facility, 

 but to make more trips per season than if they were compelled to pro- 

 cure their bait exclusively from American waters and ports. 



8. I consider it decidedly an advantage to American fishermen to laud 

 and dry their nets and cure their fish on our coasts. 



9. A large number of American fishing vessels get supplies every 

 season from our establishment, and from other establishments on the 

 coast. They call here annually for outfits, men, and boats to laud cargo, 

 and to refit for other voyages. I certainly consider it au advantage to 

 American fishermen to exercise this privilege. The United States fish- 

 ermen also procure ice in our ports for preserving fish, and I have sold 

 ice to Americans for that purpose during the present season. 



10. I am not aware of any advantage that Canadians will derive from 

 the right to fish in the American waters, nor of any they have derived 

 under the Treaty of Washington, unless it is procuring pogies for bait. 



11. I consider it would be a valuable advantage for the British fisher- 

 men to carry on the inshore fisheries exclusively, and without competing 

 with American fishermen, and this advantage I would estimate at oue 

 hundred per cent., or equivalent to the entire value of our fisheries. 



12. 1 would not like to state positively the cash value to each American 

 vessel of the privilege of catching fish within our coasts and bays, and 

 of procuring bait and outfitting, but I am safe in saying it enables them 

 to double their voyages at the rery least. And without such privileges 

 I don't know as American fishermen would be able to prosecute their 

 business on this coast. 



l.'i. The privilege of transshipment enjoyed by American fishermen 

 under the Treaty of Washington is important and valuable, and may 

 become within the next few years a source of great profit. 



JOSHUA SMITH. 



Sworn to at Port Hood, in the county of Inverness, this 19th day of 

 July, A. D. 1877, before me. 



DUNCAN CAMPBELL. J. P. 



