2446 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



Mr. DAVIES. He said from one-third to one-half were takeii inshore. 



Q. You said you took two-thirds or one-half offshore ? A. No, sir. 



Q. Do you think that would be an average, one-third inshore ; that 

 would be a fair average of the fishing of the mackerel-vessels inshore 

 generally? A. Generally speaking, of some vessels. There are some 

 vessels that bang around inshore that are not fit to go out. 



Q. They would catch more inshore ? A. Yes, and poorer fish. 



Q. One third, you think, would be a fair average for large vessels ? 

 A. I am not going to speak of others besides my own. 



Q. One-third would be a fair average ? A. What I took out of the 

 bay, one-third was caught by the three-mile limit; but we might have 

 been a little further off or a little nearer in. It is a hard matter to 

 judge. 



Q. Do you think there is any considerable number of those poorer 

 vessels that can't fish further out but hang inshore ? A. There is quite 

 a number of them that never come by East Point. They daren't go up 

 in the bend. 



Q. They are American vessels ? A. Some are, and some are not. 



Q. About what proportion would you consider to be a fair propor- 

 tion of American vessels that hug the shore that way ? A. I should say 

 there was four-fifths of them American vessels, because there is not a 

 great many English vessels that fish. 



Q. What proportion of the fleet, I mean, that come into the gulf, hug 

 the shore that way and catch fish more inshore ? A. There might be 

 one in twenty-five sail. 



Q. Do you think there would be that many ? A. Yes ; there might 

 be one in twenty-five. 



Q. You have seen them, I suppose, in the different years you have 

 been in the gulf? A. Yes; there are always two or three hanging 

 round in harbors that dare not try it outside. There are plenty of those 

 poor vessels. 



Q. You used a term, eel-grass mackerel ? A. Yes. 



Q. Well, is that a term that is used on your shores at all ? A. That 

 is a term that all those fishermen use when they catch mackerel inshore. 

 They are an interior quality, with black bellies. I have some of them 

 on board now. 



Q. Is it a term in use on your own shores ? JA.. Yes. 



Q. Then yon consider that your mackerel caught inshore are inferior 

 to those caught outside f A. Yes ; we think that is so anywhere. 



Q. Couldn't you catch the best mackerel on your shore in close? A. 

 Well, there are times when .the mackerel will run in there to chase the 

 bait in. 



Q. Is it not the fact that the best mackerel are caught inside at Block 

 Island ? A. I never fished there. I don't think they catch any in Block 

 Island, within five or six miles of it. 



Q. Are you acquainted with itastico ? A. I have been up and down 

 there. 



Q. Are not they the very best quality of mackerel caught! A. I 

 would not call them so. 



Q. That would boa matter of opinion ? A. Well, I could not call 

 them so. I prefer fishing in a little deeper water. To make good, nice, 

 white fish I prefer them caught in deeper water. 



Q. What depth would you say ? A. I want them over eight fathoms. 

 You can't get a very big depth in the Bay of St. Lawrence anywhere 

 until you sail to the northward. 



Q. Now, don't you think the same fish go out and in. Is it your 

 idea that certain schools keep in one place and certain schools in 



