3332 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



NO. 265. 



GLOUCESTER, Aug. 25, 1877. 



I, John Glean, was born in York, Maine; am 39 years of age, and on 

 oath do depose and say, that I have been engaged in the fishing busi- 

 ness twenty years. I have been mackereling in Gulf St. Lawrence for 

 10 seasons, mostly from Gloucester. The best stock I ever made was 

 $5,000 in any season ;. was in the Abba H. Sicasey, of Gloucester, buying 

 a license for fishing inshore. We fished mostly around the Magdalen 

 Islands, and about all our mackerel were taken there. $5,000 was the 

 highest stock I ever made in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, mackerel fishing 

 in the Abba H. Swasey. We did not have occasion to nse our license. 

 We were also on Bank Bradley. My lowest stock was $2,000, in 1871. 

 An American schooner for a full season's fishing from June to last of 

 October in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, must stock $5,000 to pay her bills. 

 I never knew of any American vessel damaging the British boats, but, 

 on the contrary, have often had them come to us to grind bait, and other 

 favors. 



This present season we went from York, Maine, to Gulf of St. Law- 

 rence, codfishing, in schooner Anna F. Mason, 30 tons, carries 9 men. 

 Commenced to fit the 1st of July ; took no bait from home ; bought ice 

 in the Gut of Causo ; paid $3 per ton for it ; went up off Point Miscou ; 

 caught our bait on the grounds, L e., that is, 15 miles off the shore, 

 in nets ; the bait was herring, and commenced fishing with trawls; was 

 there a fortnight ; took 25,000 Ibs. split fish ; threw most of the offal 

 overboard. There were 10 other American vessels fishing at the same 

 place; saw 20 Nova Scotia vessels up and down P. E. Island, fishing 

 for codfish using hand lines. They throw over the offal as we do. 

 Never knew of over 30 sail of American vessels in the Gulf codfishing. 

 I should say there were 100 sail of American vessels mackereling. I 

 know that while I have been in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that not one- 

 tenth part of the whole American catch of mackerel is taken within 

 three miles of the shore. W"e have always thrown overboard the fish 

 gurry, and I never have noticed any diminution of fish on that account. 

 The American fleet fish in 20 fathoms of water, and they throw over 

 their gurry in this deep water. We bought some supplies on our way 

 home. I know of no inshore fishery for codfish now pursued by Ameri- 

 can vessels in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The vessels in Maine can ob- 

 tain any quantity of porgie slivers and clams for bait at home, but it is 

 cheaper to catch the bait on the Banks. Bait was scarce on this trip 

 on the fishing grounds. We could have obtained bait from the British 

 shore fishermen at about the same price as it would cost to take it from 

 home ; but we prefer to take the chance of getting it on the fishing 

 ground. There used to be quite a number of vessels from Maine pur- 

 sue the codfishefy in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, but of late years this has 

 fallen off greatly. 



The fishermen have put their vessels into the American shore mack- 

 erel fishery, which has been very much more profitable of late years. 

 This present trip my crew shared $30 each ; time employed, six weeks. 

 I have been master of the schooners Joe Hooker, Mttacom, Iris, A. H. 

 Mason. JOHN GLENN, 



Master of Schooner A. H. Mason, Tor Jc, Me. 



GLOCESTER, Aug. 25, 1877. 



Personally appeared the above named John Glenn, and swore that 

 the above statement by him subscribed, is true, before me. 



ADDISON CARTER, Justice of the Peace. 



