3412 AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 



carried on, except to the extent of three, four, or five vessels? A. Yes. 

 About 40 years ago the Bank fishery, so far as regards Newfoundland, 

 entirely ceased, and the fishery has since been carried on altogether 

 within'shore, and is extending year by year farther and farther up the 

 Labrador. As far as my observation goes, and as far as statistics go, 

 I am able to show that the increase during the last 60 or 70 years since, 

 for instance, 1804 has been almost perfectly uniform, when you take 

 into consideration the increase in the population of the country. Of 

 course, it is to a certain extent dependent upon that, and subject also to 

 those fluctuations which continually take place in our fisheries in the 

 mackerel and cod fisheries and in the marine climate on the American 

 coast, also in the herring fishery. 



Q. I think you have prepared a diagram showing the progress in the 

 fisheries ? A. Yes. (Diagram produced.) This shows the annual fluc- 

 tuations in the exports of codfish from Newfoundland from 1804 to 1876, 

 and a continuous increase since 1850, since when there has always been 

 a mean of one million quintals. It reached one million in 1842, and after 

 that it either approached to or rose above it continuously. 



Q. Those diagrams you prepared from authentic records, I believe ? 

 A. They are so prepared. 



Q. Then from 1804 to 1876 there has been a uniform increase in the pro- 

 ductions of the Newfoundland fisheries ? A. I would scarcely use the 

 word " uniform," otherwise one would suppose the increase was contin- 

 uous from year to year; but take a group of years, -say five years, and 

 the increase is continuous. 



Q. You are aware of the different modes of prosecuting the fishery on 

 the island of Newfoundland both by British and French, I believe ? 

 A. Yes. 



Q. Is the cod seine used there to any extent ? A. It is largely used 

 in the deep bays of Newfoundland, and also by the French on what is 

 called the French shore ; that is to say, on the northern coast of New- 

 foundland and in the northern portion of the gulf. 



Q. Between Cape Eay and Quirpon? A. I mean more particularly 

 between Cape St. John and Quirpon. The seine is largely used along 

 this coast. 1 saw it myself largely used there Jast year; and I saw the 

 seine used by Newfoundlanders in Trinity Bay. 



Q. You know as a fact that it is used ? A. Yes; and largely. 



Q. At what season of the year is the cod seine used f A. This is the 

 case during what is called the caplin season. 



Q. That is when the caplin are on the coast in great abundance? A. 

 Yes ; when they first come in. 



Q. And when the cod are also there in great abundance? A. Yes. 



Q. Have you any knowledge regarding the quantity of cod taken 

 in these large seines ? A. Personally, I have no such knowledge. I 

 have never counted them, but I have seen a very large number so 

 taken. Admiral Clone states, in his report, that frequently 30,000 are 

 taken in a cod seine. 



Q. In one haul ? A. Yes. The statement that from 10,000 to 15,000 

 and 30,000 cod are so taken at a haul also frequently occurs in the re- 

 ports of Newfoundland fishery officials. 



Q. From 50 to 250 quintals are thus taken in one haul of the seine? 

 A. Yes, fully ; and, in many instances, more, because sometimes a school 

 is composed of large fish. 



Q. That is 250 quintals of what are called green fish? A. Yes; be- 

 fore they are dried and prepared for market. 





