AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 1747 



formed, they maintain the'r stay, or else come in in large numbers; but in th* Buy of 

 Fundy, on the coast of Maine, and still farther north, they don't remain as close to the shore 

 in winter as in other seasons. 



You will observe that Professor Baird limits his statement that the 

 warm water in summer drives the fish off the coasts of the United States 

 to the south of New England only. The water appears to be cold enough 

 for them on the coast of Maine in summer to permit of their coining in- 

 shore. But now let us see what he says of the condition of the fisheries 

 there. In his official report for 1872 and 1873, the following remarkable 

 statement is to be found : 



Whatever may be the importance of increasing the supply of salmon, it is trifling com- 

 pared with the restoration of our exhausted cod fisheries ; and should these be brought back 

 to their original condition, we shall find within a short time an increase of wealth on our 

 shores, the amount of which it would be difficult to calculate. Not only would the general 

 prosperity of the adjacent States be enhanced, but in the increased number of vessels built, 

 in the larger number of men induced to devote themselves to maritime pursuits, and in the 

 general stimulus to everything connected with the business of the seafaring profession, we 

 should be recovering in a great measure from that loss which has been the source of BO 

 much lamentation to political economists and well-wishers of the country. (Page $W, 

 Report of Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries, 1672-73.) 



It thus appears from the testimony of Professor Baird, that the cod 

 are driven off the shores of the United States south of New England by 

 the increase of temperature in the summer months, and on the New Eng- 

 land and Maine shores the cod fisheries are exhausted. The only con- 

 clusions that can be drawn from these facts are that the sole dependence 

 of the United States fishermen for cod, which is the most important com- 

 mercial sea fish, is, with the single exception of George's Shoals, alto- 

 gether in waters off the British American coast line. 



Professor Hiud says in relation to this subject and in answer to the 

 questions 



What about the cod ? Is it a fish that requires alow temperature? A. With regard to 

 the spawning of cod, it always seeks the coldest water wherever ice is not present. In all 

 the spawning grounds from the Strait of Belle Isle down to Massachusetts Bay and they 

 are very numerous indeed they spawn during almost all seasons of the year, and always in 

 those localities where the water is coldest, verging on the freezing point. That is the freezing 

 point of fresh water, not of salt, because there ia a vast difference between the two. 



The cause of the spawning of the cod and the mackerel at certain 

 points on the United States coasts is thus stated by the same witness : 



Q. Now take the American coast; show the Commission where the cold water strikes. 

 A. According to Professor Baird's reports there are three notable points where the Arctic 

 current impinges upon the banks and shoals within the limits of the United States waters 

 and where the cod and mackerel spawning grounds are found. If you will bear in mind the 

 large map we had a short time ago, there were four spots marked on that map as indicating 

 spawning grounds for mackerel. If you will lay down upon the chart those points which 

 Professor Verrill has established as localities where the Arctic current is brought up, you will 

 find that they exactly coincide. One spot is the George's Shoals. 



So dependent is the cod upon cold waters for its existence that Pro- 

 fessor Baird tells, in reply to the question put by Mr. Thomson, " Could 

 cod, from your knowledge, live in the waters which are frequented by the 

 mullet V " No ; neither could the mullet live iu the waters which are 

 frequented by the cod (p. 471). Now, in another portion of his evidence 

 Professor Baird says, (p. 416) that " the mullet is quite abundant at some 

 seasons on the south side of New England"; and thus we have in a 

 different manner explained the reason why the cod cannot live in s 

 mer on the shores of the United States south of Cape Cod, on accou 

 the water being too warm, and the evidence of the witness is confir 

 by the following evidence of Professor Hind. 



Q. Are those three fishing localities on the American coast, Block Island, George's Bank, 

 and Stellwagen's Bank, in Massachusetts Bay, affected every year, and, if 



