2132 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



to come to the gulf to catch mackerel, would you be prevented from 

 doing it by the fact that you were forbidden to fish within three miles 

 of the shore ? A. I think so. 



Q. You would not come ? A. I would sooner fish on our shores now 

 any time. 



By Mr. Weatherbe : 



Q. If you were forbidden to come within three miles of the shore, 

 would you come at all? A. It would be under certain circumstances. 

 If there were no fish with us and plenty there, perhaps I might. I can- 

 not say as to that. 



Q. From your experience, if you had been restricted, during all the 

 years you came to the bay, from coming to within three miles of the 

 shore, you would not have come ? A. I think not. 



No. 17. 



D. W. OLIVER, of Wellfleet, Mass., fisherman, called on behalf of the 

 Government of the United States, sworn and examined. 



By Mr. Trescot : 



Question. You have been engaged in fishing ? How old are you ? 

 Answer. 37 years. 



Q. How long have you been fishing ! A. 22 seasons. 



Q. Mackerel fishing entirely ? A. Yes. 



Q. Where have you been fishing ? A. Partly in Bay St. Lawrence 

 ana partly on our own coast. Parts of 7 seasons I was in the bay. 



Q. Then you had an opportunity to compare the two fisheries ? A. 

 Yes. 



Q. As far as your experience goes, which fishery is the more profita- 

 ble ? A. That on our own shores. . 



Q. What was your average catch on our shores ? A. Our catches 

 were from 500 to 1,200 barrels. \ 



Q. What was the average catch in the gulf ? A. The catches were 

 from 130 to 460 barrels. 



Q. When fishing in the gulf, what portion did you take inshore, within 

 the three-mile limit ? A. Very little. 



Q. You have fished inside ? A. I would not swear I had not fished 

 within the limits. I will allow that I have, a little. 



Q. As far as the experience of Wellfleet fishermen goes, it is no great 

 advantage to have the privilege of the inshore fishery of the gulf ! A. 

 No. 



Q. What is the number of the vessels from Wellfleet which have gone 

 mackerel-fishing this season ? A. 52 sail. 



Q. What portion has gone to the gulf ! A. One has been there part 

 of the season, but she came out. 



Q. As a general rule, you don't value the gulf fishery, for you send a 

 very small portion of your fleet there ? A. Yes. 



By Mr. Davies : 



Q. Where did you fish in the bay ? A. I fished in different places in 

 the gulf. 



Q. Whereabouts? A. On Bank Bradley, at Magdalen Islands, and at 

 Bank Orphan. 



Q. Any other places ! A. Along the north side of Prince Edward 

 Island. 



Q. From East Point to North Cape ? A. Yes. 



