AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1709 



or could not be had in the United States, I cannot say, but I do think 

 that herring are vastly more abundant in Newfoundland and the Bay 

 of Fundy than they are farther south." 



Professor Hind, upon the same subject, says that he has given his 

 attention especially to ocean physics, the habits of fish, and has made a 

 , particular study of the action of the Arctic current, and the effect of 

 (the Gulf stream, for a number of years; agreeing with Professor Baird, 

 ihe gives the cod a primary position among fishes, and that it requires 

 ; water of a low temperature. It always seeks the coldest water when- 

 i ever ice is not present (p. 3, Appendix Q). He says also, " It is only 

 where extreme cold water exists that cod is found throughout the year ; 

 sand upon the American coast it is only where the Arctic current strikes 

 ithat cod is found through the year." 



A close study of history and authentic fishery records has enabled 

 him to pronounce with authority that there are certain localities where 

 the cod fisheries are inexhaustible, as the Straits of Belle Isle, the Grand 

 iBank of Newfoundland, and, to use the professor's words, " that amazing 

 fishing ground on the south coast of Newfoundland." " There is no portion 

 of the world," he says, " where there is such an amazing supply of cod. It 

 has been so for three hundred years and upwards. Compared with European 

 I fisheries, the Newfoundland and Labrador are far superior in every respect" 

 (That the Newfoundland coast fishery is, on an average, compared with 

 theNorw egian fisheries, including the Lofoden Islands (which Professor 

 Baird speaks of as being one of the most important and productive fish- 

 ing grounds), as five is to three, or where five quintals of fish are taken 

 :at Newfoundland, three are only taken on the coast of Norway, includ- 

 ing the Lofoden Islands. He says the bays and all along the coast of 

 < Newfoundland, and also part of the Grand Bunk, may be considered as the 

 i great spawning grounds of the cod, and the great cod fishery of the world ; 

 the conformation of the coast, the depth of water, the deep bays and 

 inlets, and the numerous islands surrounding Newfoundland, are pecu- 

 liarly adapted to constitute that coast as the home of the codfish. (Hind, 

 p. 6, Appendix Q.) " I think there is no part of the world where, owing 

 to the orographic features of the coast line, all the conditions of life for 

 the cod are developed to such an extent as in the northeast coast of 

 I Newfoundland, the northern portion of the Grand Banks, and the 

 southern part of the island." 



The diagram carefully prepared by Professor Hind, showing the prog- 

 ress of the Newfoundland fisheries from 1804 to 1870, is conclusive evi- 

 dence of their continuously increasing value and importance. I do not 

 wish to delay the Commission by referring to that most interesting 

 i evidence of Professor Hind, where he graphically describes the myriads 

 of diatoms amid the icebergs of the Arctic Seas, and traces, link by link, 

 the chain of connection between the lowest minute forms of life, and 

 the food of all fish inhabiting the cool temperature of the Arctic current; 

 following the course of that current along the shores and banks of 

 British North America, teeming with cod and other cold-water fishes ; 

 but let us proceed and see what practical men say on the subject, cap- 

 tains of United States Bankers. Captain Molloy (British Affidavits, p. 

 ~>0, No. 53), says: "From my experience and observation, I am' of opinion 

 that the Bank fishery off the coast of Newfoundland is capable of vast - 

 expansion and development, toward which the privilege of baiting and 

 refitting in the harbors of Newfoundland is indispensable." 



And Capt. Joseph P. Deneef (British Affidavits, No 52, p. 50, Appen- 

 dix G), confirms this statement in every particular. 

 It is sufficient for'me to observe that the scientific researches and 



