2756 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



and fatter fish. There are some localities where they won't buy bay 

 mackerel at all if they know it. That is in the State of Pennsylvania. 

 I heard a large dealer in New York say that his customers in Pennsylva- 

 nia would not buy bay mackerel if they could get any other ; in fact 

 would not buy them at all. 



Q. They prefer this different species? A. It is a better fish. It is a 

 better, whiter, and fatter fish. 



Q. Your opinion is that it is not the same species as the bay mack- 

 erel ? A. I have almost come to that conclusion. I ani rather inclined 

 to think it is a different species of fish. 



Q. You have examined them. What is the result of your examina- 

 tion? Would you say it is a different species? A. I should think so. 

 One is larger than the other, and a whiter fish; what they feed on may 

 make the difference. 



Q. If mackerel came down from the bay and staid two or three days 

 on the American shore, would they change in that way ? A. I doubt 

 very much whether they do that. 



Q. Have you got any stages on the west side, from North Cape down 

 to Miminegash ? A. None at Miminegash. Two on that side of what 

 we call the Keef and two along the coast. 



Q. The fishing at Mimiuegash is said to be very good this year? A. 

 Yes; particularly around Miminegash. 



Q. There is a place sometimes called by the name French Village ? 

 A. Yes. 



Q. It has been very good there ? A. Not so good there as further 

 west at Miminegash. It has been very good there, and it has been very 

 fair further along. 



Q. How has it been all around Cascumpeque ? A. It has been very 

 poor comparatively. 



Q. Your personal knowledge extends to that part of the island only ; 

 you never fished at East Point ? A. No. 



Q. You know nothing about the eastern end of the island ? A. No. 



Q. Nor about the mode of fishing there ? A. No ; only from hear- 

 say. 



Q. With regard to shore fishing. Where do your boats fish as a rule? 

 Where is the bulk of the mackerel taken by boats ? A. I think on the 

 side my store is on, off the east side of the island; that is, near North 

 Cape ; one-half of them are taken outside of three miles. On the other 

 shore, I think more are caught within three miles. At Miminegash par- 

 ticularly the fish are very near. 



Q. Are any taken outside ? A. Yes. 



Q. Do small boats go out beyond three miles ? A. Yes ; they do very 

 frequently ; but it varies in different years. The season of what we call 

 the great catch, in 1874, 1 think the mackerel were caught close to the 

 shore then as a general thing. 



Q. Have you noticed if, during the last sixteen years, mackerel have 

 been found closer to the shore than in 1855 and 1856 ? A. Well, no ; I 

 think this year they have not been. 



Q. During the last few years has there not been a tendency that 

 way ? A. I don't know but that there has. I should rather think there 

 has been. 



Q. That is the opinion of most of the fishermen ? A. Yes; I should 

 say so. 



Q. You have noticed it sensibly so, I suppose ? A. Well, I don't 

 know that I should have noticed it without my attention having been 

 called to it. 



