AWA.RD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



5. Modes chiefly used in capturing mackerel were seining and ji^'ini; 



6. I consider the fishing water injured by throwing overboard ofl 

 from mackerel; but offal from codfish is very injurious, as the IMHH-H 

 swallowed by the mackerel penetrate the fish, causing a large quantity 

 to die. 



6. I would say, two-thirds of the mackerel, during the time I have 

 fished, were caught within the three-mile limit. 



7. I consider the inshore fishery of great value, to the American fish- 

 ermen, and, in fact, could not do without it. 



8. American fishermen still use the seine for taking mackerel. The 

 manner used is: The seine is stretched out and around the school of 

 mackerel, then hauled in together, then scooped out into the boat*. I 

 do not think the manner any way injurious, as when they find more than 

 can be cared for, the seine is tripped and the mackerel let go. The 

 seines are used inside the limit the same as other places in tact, any 

 place where mackerel is seen. 



9. Mackerel have not decreased since 1871, as in some places. They 

 are plentiful. The winds and feed is the cause of their scarcity in difter- 

 ent localities. 



10. Herring are caught entirely inshore. 



11. Mackerel caught in Canadian waters are fully one-third better 

 than caught in American, and bring prices one-third more than Ameri- 

 can mackerel caught in American waters. 



12. The food of mackerel is about equally divided within the -limit 

 and outside. They feed on shrimps, smelt, fry, and smaller U.shes. 

 Their breeding places are around the sheltered bays and estuaries, dur- 

 ing the months of May and June. 



13. 1 consider the privilege to land by American fishermen very great. 

 If deprived of this privilege they could not carry on their business. 



14. It is a great advantage to be allowed to transship cargoes. It 

 saves great loss of time and expense to owners. It enables them to 

 make two trips during the season, sometimes three; and once 1 knew 

 of five shipments of two hundred and fifty barrels each. 



15. I consider it a great advantage to be enabled to buy bait from 

 Canadian fishermen, and much easier and more profitable than fishing 

 for it, as the bait is not procurable always when wanted. 



16. It is considered impossible to carry on deep-sea fishing in Cana- 

 dian waters without being enabled either to catch or buy the bait in- 

 shore. 



17. I consider the privilege of fishing in American waters of no value 

 to Canadian fishermen. I never knew of a Canadian fisherman resort- 

 ing to American waters to fish. 



18. I have known instances where United States citi/ens have car- 

 ried on considerable trade with the inhabitants of the localities where 

 they fish. 



19. Do not consider that it hinders the operation of Canadian fisher- 

 men. 



J. S. MERCHANT. 



'Sworn to before me, at Hardwicke, this 14th day of August. 1*77. 



ALEXANDER MILLS,,/. P. 



