3306 AWARD OP THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



Insurance 100. 00 



41 Bbls. Bait, $4 per bbl 164.00 



Packing 154. 00 



Lines, &c 25. 00 



$1943. 00 

 Receipts : 

 205 packed bbls. at $11| $2300. 00 



Net profit $357.00 



When I first arrived in the Bay I thought the prospect was good for 

 a large catch, when I came away it looked altogether different. There 

 was about 100 sail of American vessels there and those that we spoke 

 would average from 25 to 50 barrels each. I have been in the Gulf of 

 St. Lawrence mackereling four seasons. My highest stock for a whole 

 season was $4,500. My lowest stock was $3,000. Any American ves- 

 sel as they are now fitted must stock $4,500 for a seasons mackereling 

 in the Gulf to pay their bills. 



I hare fished part of two seasons off the American coast for mackerel. 

 I made on one trip 52 dollars in 3 weeks. I also made three trips taking 

 two months time and made over 100 dollars. I have been boat fishing 

 from Margaree and it is the general practice to throw offal overboard. 

 I never heard of such a thing as injury to the fish from this source. If 

 this had been an injury there would not be any fish in the Gulf now. 

 The American cod and halibut fishery is a deep sea fishery entirely. 

 From my experience in the mackerel fisheries of the Gulf of St. Lawrence 

 the American vessels do not take more than one-third of their mackerel 

 within three miles of the shore, that is not including the Magdalen 

 Islands. There has been a good deal of trading by American vessels 

 which is an advantage to the people. I am of the opinion that from my 

 knowledge of the people there is a strong prejudice against the Ameri- 

 can fishermen. I should say this sentiment has been fostered for a pur- 

 pose. As a general thing heretofore the people on the coast have been 

 very friendly and never before have I heard any complaints by the boat 

 fishermen or traders of the American fishermen. The people were always 

 glad to have them come to trade with them and it has been a great help 

 in many ways to the people living near the shore to have the American 

 fleet down there giving employment to the men and buying of the farm- 

 ers and traders. Any other ideas I think must be born of prejudice as 

 any one disposed to be fair will say. 



I know that the average catch of American vessels for the last 15 years 

 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is not over 350 barrels each. I have been 

 one trip to Newfoundland for herring. I bought my herring of the peo- 

 ple and paid for it mostly in cash. It is of great advantage to the people 

 of Newfoundland to have the Americans buy their herring. They would 

 almost be in a starving condition if it were not for this trade. 



THOMAS II. WHITE. 



COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, 



COUNTY OF ESSEX, ss., GLOUCESTER, August 28th, 1877. 

 Then personally appeared the above named Thomas H. White and 

 made oath that all the above statesmen! by hitn subscribed are true, 

 before me, 



DAVID W. LOW. 

 (L. S.) Notary Public. 



