PLEADING S. 209 



Does it uot seem contrary to reason and common sense to suppose 

 that these fish would or could uot remain in our waters from the spawu- 

 ing-season through, during the summer season, until the}' remove to 

 their winter-quarters, if allowed to? 



Can there be any question as to the purity of the water, at least from 

 the coast-shore to a distance of three or six miles from the shore, or 

 as to its suitableness as a habitation, as to depth, and character of the 

 bottom? The Coast Survey charts represent our bottom and that of the 

 Shoals and Buzzard's Bay to be the same, mostly of yellow, black and 

 gray sand, with here and there clusters of rocks. 



If, as now alleged, tor the first time with any force, the scup are 

 changing their grounds, and diminishing gradually from other causes, 

 and will ultimately disappear, because there is a tradition that they had 

 once before disappeared, about one hundred years ago, and without any 

 known cause, I have merely to say that if this is to be the case, let us 

 not hasten the evil day, by reducing their numbers every year while 

 they do remain, through means of these traps. Let us preserve and 

 protect them from all these modes of reckless destruction, at least while 

 spawning. Perhaps by care thev maybe induced to remain with us en- 

 tirely. 



I do not believe, however, that when fish are about to leave a locality, 

 they leave it gradually ; when they go, all leave at oncej I think this is 

 in accordance with the experience in relation to the desertion of other 

 fish. 



CAPTAIN ATWOOD'S REMARKS. 



I wish to say a few words respecting Captain Atwood's opinions and 

 remarks. 



I have a copy of the Yarmouth Eegister,May 27, 1870, which contains 

 his speech before the Massachusetts senate, on the 19th of April, 1870, 

 in relation to the fishery question then before that body. The language 

 and tenor of his remarks are so nearly identical with what he said a few 

 days since, before this committee, that I shall trespass on your time in 

 citing a portion. 



Speaking of the witnesses before the committee of which he was chair- 

 man, he says: 



''Like the, many fishermen I know, the witnesses were not well ac- 

 quainted tvitJi the luibits offish. They study them no further than they 

 contribute to their pecuniary interest ; at most they possess only a local 

 knowledge of the fish with which they come in contact. They prosecute 

 the fisheries for their support, and do not make the habits of fish a 

 special study." 



AS TO CAUSES OR MODE OF DI^IINISHING THE SUPPLY. 



^' One is to introduce the beam-trawl, which has not been used in our 

 waters. * * This net being dragged over the bottom would destroy 

 the young fish as it passed over them, and might tend to diminish their 

 numbers." 



I ask whether the use of traps to catch fish while in the act of spawn- 

 ing " might not tend to the same resuW 



Again he says : 



" If fish have diminished in any of the small arms of the sea, I should 

 have no objection to the passage of a local act, provided it did not inter- 

 fere with the rights of others." 

 S. Mis. 61 14 



