1712 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



Mr. Orne, at page 131, United States Evidence, makes the following 

 statement: 



Q You left Gloucester with salt bait ? A. No; I took enough fresh herring to bait 

 my trawls once ; this was in 1870. If I remember right I went to the Brand Bank for 

 halibut, I did not get a trip until after I bad gone in for fresh bait. 



Having thus referred to the opinions of some of the witnesses called 

 by the United States themselves, and there are others who testify to the 

 same effect, I will now call your attention to the evidence of those called 

 on behalf of Her Britanuic'Majesty's Government. 



Mr. John Stapletou, page 229, British Evidence, stated that " there is 

 only a certain season on the Grand Bank that the squid is there. When 

 it is there they get it there, but when they cannot they come inshore and 

 get it. They' either buy herring or mackerel, or they catch squid. 

 Whatever they can get by catching or buying they put in ice and then 

 go back." And in answer to the query, u Why cannot they prosecute 

 the Bank fishery without this!" he answered, "Well, the fish won't 

 bite without something." 



Q. Cannot they bring these from their own country ? A. Yes, that is all very true. 

 It may be that the first trip, when they went from home they had bait. But that will 

 last for only one one or two baitings. And if they cannot get bait on the Bank then 

 they have to haul up anchor and get it inshore. 



Q. Well, is it necessary for them, then, to buy bait from you ? A. Well, the salt bait 

 will not catch the fish while there is other bait there. 



Q. For trawling it is absolutely necessary to have fresh fish ? A. Yes, if it was not 

 necessary they would not come. 



Mr. William McDonald, at page 311, ibid., says : 



Fresh bait is absolutely necessary to take codfish. Bank fishing could not be success- 

 fully carried on without it ; American captains say they have to get fresh bait or they 

 can catch no fish. 



Q. How did you catch the cod ? A. We caught them with trawls. 



Q. What kind of bait did you use ? A. Fresh bait herring. 



Q. Cannot you catch cod equally well with salt bait ? A. No. 



Q. How do you know ? A. I have tried it. 



Q. Tell us the result of your experience ? A. I have been on the Banks with nothing 

 but porgies for bait we generally took a few barrels with us to start upon and run 

 out our trawls, having the salt bait, and there appeared to be not one fish roun^, for 

 we could not feel a bite or get a fish. I have then ran to land, got herring, and gone 

 oat to the same ground as near as possible, and put out the trawls and had an abund- 

 ance of fish, where previously with a salt bait we got not a fish. Even if you bait 

 your hook with a piece of salt porgie, and put a small piece of fresh herring on the point 

 of the hook, you will have a fish on it. 



Q. Your evidence amounts to this, that fresh bait is absolutely necessary to catch 

 codfish ? A. Most undoubtedly. 



Q. And without fresh bait Bank cod fishing cannot be successfully carried on? A. 

 I atu quite sure of it. 



Q. You are quite sure of it ? A. I am quite certain of it from practical experience. 

 I have tried it. 



Q. For how many years T A. Four or five years. It is some time ago, but I believe 

 from what American captains say, that it is worse now. They have to get fresh bait 

 or they cannot catch any fish, they say. 



(^. If tbo American vessels were not allowed to enter Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, 

 Cape Hrcton for fresh bait, they could not carry on the cod fishery ? A. No; it 

 would be impossible. Any man with common sense 'knows that. They might carry it 

 on to a certain extent, but not successfully. 



Q. Have you ever conversed with American captains ? Do you know whether that is 

 their opinion T A. Yes. 



y. They have HO expressed themselves to you ? A. Yes ; a number of times. There 

 is not a year K<M- by but 1 talk with lifty of them. 



^. That is the general opinion of those acquainted with the fisheries f A. Yes: it 

 is the general opinion. 



Q. Did you ever hear a man hold a different opinion ? A. I don't think I ever knew 

 any man who held a different opinion. 



y. Jf witnesses came here and told a different story, what would you say? A. I 

 don t know how they could. 



