AWARD OF THE FISHERY COMMISSION. 3439 



down Quebec as taking seven per cent, of the mackerel, Nova Scotia 

 80 per cent., New Brunswick 3 per cent., and Prince Edward Island 

 ten per cent. Now, where off the coast of Nova Scotia would there be 

 that quantity taken; 80 per cent, is the estimate on an average catch 

 of 150,000 barrels a year. In 1875, it was 120,000 ; and in 1874, 164,000. 

 I think a fair average would be 150,000 barrels. Now, 80 per cent, or 

 that is taken off Nova Scotia. Whereabouts is it taken ? A. It is all 

 around the coast of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. The mackerel fre- 

 quently strike the coast of Nova Scotia for 100 miles in one night. 



Q. These blue marks on the chart are intended to show the general 

 course of the mackerel in pursuit of food. They are not always partic- 

 ular to stay out more than three miles or to come in within three miles? 

 They vary ? A. Yes. 



Q. Well, I was very much surprised to find 80 per cent, given as the 

 proportion taken in Nova Scotia, because from the evidence we should 

 think far the greater proportion came from Prince Edward Island. 



Hon. Mr. KELLOGG. Is that the percentage for the provinces! 



Mr. FOSTER. Yes; it is an estimate of the grand total catch of each 

 province, and it follows a total giving the total catch from 18G9 to 1875 

 inclusive. It seemed to me a most extraordinary thing, because the 

 evidence of American vessels fishing on the coast of Nova Scotia is very 

 little indeed. 



Q. Can it be. You think it is right? A. There is a simple explana- 

 tion. They strike.the headlands, and are all taken close inshore. They 

 are taken by boats. 



Q. There are no provincial vessels fishing for them, and this particu- 

 lar coast is not resorted to very much for mackerel f A. No, but enor- 

 mous catches are made by the provincial fishermen in boats. 



Q. You understand that the Gulf of St. Lawrence is the place where 

 the United States vessels go for fish ? A. Chiefly. 



Q. I observe you spoke of Bay Chaleurs as if there were a good many 

 mackerel there. Now, the evidence we have had of the amount of 

 mackerel-fishing in the Bay Chaleurs is that it is quite small. Do you 

 know about the quantity caught there? A. I have been around there 

 myself in 1863 or 1864, I think two or three years. I have seen a very 

 large number of vessels there. 



Q. There is no doubt that at that time there were a good many that 

 went to Bay Chaleurs, but of late years do you understand there has 

 been many for the last four or five years ? A. 1 don't know. 



Q. You omitted one thing that would be necessary to develop the fish- 

 ing industry of the province here, I think. What other things are there 

 that occur to you as likely to promote the fishing interests of the fisher- 

 men in the provinces ? A. There are several, I think ; that is rather 

 too wide a field. 



Q. They ought to have a market, certainly ? A. I think they ought 

 to have a market, certainly. 



Mr. DANA. I wish to explain my ignorance of that book (Professor 

 Hind's book on the fishery clauses of the Washington Treaty.) You 

 state that half a dozen copies were sent to the Waverly House. They 

 were not sent to the American counsel ! 



WITNESS. No. 



Mr. DOUTRE That book is not filed here as part of your evidence. 

 Therefore I do not see that this is a matter for investigation. 



Mr. DANA. Do you object to my putting the question ? A. If you ob- 

 ject I will not put it. 



