2816 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



other agency ; whether it be the diminution of the bluefish which per- 

 mits the scup to increase or not 1 cannot say. 



Q. Is it true the bluefish is diminishing? A. It is not by any means 

 so abundant as it was, very much to the regret of all people who catch 

 them, either for market or for sport. 



Q. Can you remember the time when there was no bluefish on the 

 American coast? A. I cannot. I know we have the record of the fact, 

 and I know many persons who can remember it. Bluefish was absent 

 from the American coast for sixty years, during which time there was 

 not a single bluefish to be found on the coast. 



Q. You think the pounds should be dealt with as a matter for regu- 

 lation and not for banishment ? A. I don't think the market would be 

 amply supplied without them, and I don't think it would be expedient 

 to prohibit them. I think a certain amount of regulation, such as I 

 have recommended, would be a great deal better for the fish and the 

 fishermen. The disadvantage of the pounds is that they glut the mar- 

 ket at times, so that there is no sale for the fish and fish are wasted, 

 and by the adoption of a close time not only will it secure proper spawn- 

 ing of the fish, but also equalize consumption. 



WILLIAM J. MASS, of Chester, Nova Scotia, master mariner and fish- 

 erman, called on behalf of the Government of the United States. 



By Mr. Foster : 



Question. You are 27 years of age, I believe? Answer. Yes. 



Q. And you were born at Chester, Nova Scotia? A. Yes. 



Q. Your wife is residing at Dartmouth ? A. Yes. 



Q. You command the schooner Orinoco, sailing out of Gloucester? 

 A. Yes. 



Q. And you are a naturalized citizen of the United States? A. Yes. 



Q. To whom does the schooner belong ? A. John Pew. 



Q. Where have you been fishing this summer? A. I have been fish- 

 ing in Bay St. Lawrence the latter part of the summer. 



Q. About what time did you go into the bay ? A. About 20th Au- 

 gust, I believe. 



Q. When did you leave there? A. Last Monday. 



Q. How many barrels of mackerel did you take in that time? A. 

 About 100 barrels. 



Q. Sea barrels ? A. Yes. 



Q. Where did you catch them ? A. At different places; some round 

 Magdalen Islands, Prince Edward Island, and Point Miscou all round 

 scattered . 



Q. When you went fishing to the bend of the island, how far from 

 the shore did you get your fish ? A. As near as I could tell we were 

 outside of the limits ; that is to the best of my knowledge, but we did 

 not measure. I should think we were outside of the three miles. 



Q. You have tried in and out? A. Yes. 



Q. You say you have got about 100 sea barrels ; how have the schoon- 

 ers done that you have heard off A. The others have done very little. 

 Some vessels which were in at the first part of the season got some mack- 1 

 erel, but I don't believe they will average 100 barrels all through, early 

 and late. 



Q. It you can remember any particular schooners, and the quantities 

 they caught, name them. A. The William S. Baker had about 10 bar- 



