THE SOUTHERN SPRING MACKEREL FISHERY. 
203 
re.striction too far, and it was repealed in 1G92, but only to bo virtually reenacted at a later period 
iu the same year. Other legislation followed from time to time. 
That the mackerel continued to abound, and the industry of catching them to increase, is to be 
accounted for rather by the fact that it is not an au anadromous fish and by reason of the primitive 
devices of the day, than because of the laws of the period. In 1831 the catch reached its maximum, 
being 119,950 barrels. It then steadily fell olf each year until in 1883 it was only a little over 138,000 
barrels. With varying fortune it fell iu 1877 to nearly 127,000 barrels. Each period of decline in the 
catch, and consopnently of comparative exemption from molestation of this lish, has apparently led 
to the hatching and maturity of suHicieut numbers to fully restock our waters. Thus in 1881 the 
catch rose again to over 391,000 barrels. 
liy far the most valuable tishiug-grounds for mackerel, since the introduction of the purse seine 
and similar appliances for taking them, are along our northeastern coasts. With these devices they 
are freely taken as soon as they appear after the winter season is over. Their condition, until June 
or July when the spawning is mostly over, fits them only for the eager demand for fresh fish. 
The only available market is our own. If fishermeu are denied this market at that season they 
will have no occasion to take the mackerel. The proper season for catching does not begin before the 
1st of June, and it usually continues until p,bout the 1st of November, when the fish disappear for the 
winter. The bill will not afiect the revenue receipts, nor is it iu conflict with existing treaties. 
It is believed that the iiroposed legislation will prove an adequate test of measures deemed liy 
many to be imperatively needed at this time, and the committee recommend the iiassage of the bill. 
Tlie bill came up for cousideratioii iu the House of Representatives on May 20, 
1880, and evoked oue of the most interesting discussions concerning the fisheries that 
ever took place in that body. Every phase of the subject was touched upon by the 
advocates or oxiponents of the measure; the legal and constitutional questions 
involved were brought out, the habits of the mackerel were discussed, the early 
history of the fishery was revived, authorities in this and other countries were quoted, 
the necessity for jirotecting the mackerel was debated. The entire xiroceedings are 
worthy of perusal, and the following abstract of the discussion, although somewhat 
extensive, may approiiriately be printed. The bill having been called up by Mr. O. R, 
Breckinridge, of Arkansas, that gentleman s^ioke as follows: 
Mr. Bkeckinkidge, of Arkausius. Mr. Speaker, this bill has been presented by the Committee 
on Way.s and Means iu response to numerous petitions referred to the committee, as well as urgent 
representations by gentlemen of the House who are well informed on this subject. The object of the 
bill is to prevent mackerel fishing when the fish are first moving to our shores .and for the most part 
arc spawning. Gentlemen are familiar with legislation of this kind relating to other species of fish, 
and the general nature of the measure will be aiipareut, perhaps, without much explanation from me. 
It may be well to remark that the committee proxioses two amendments, one of which arises from 
the lapse of time since the introduction of the bill. The bill .as <lrawn jiroposes to embrace the 
present season as ouc during which mackerel caught in the early part of the season can not be landed. 
That iieriod h.aving substantially xiassed, the bill, of course, can only begin to ox)erate with the 
coming year. 
There is also one section, section 4, which has been inserted by mistake, and which at the proper 
time I will ask to have stricken out. That section provides that “Nothing in this act shall bo 
construed to conflict with existing treaties.” Uxmu inquiry at the State Dexiartment wo have learned 
that this provision is unnecessary verbiage. 
Mr. Speaker, I would not consent to any extreme and x’crmauent legislation uxmn a matter of 
this sort; but a conservative xu'opositioh like this, temxmrary in its duration, is, I think, only ,a 
reasonable resx>onse to the views and solicit.ations winch have Iieeu xircsented to us. The bill can only 
operate for live years ; and it will only preclude, so far as it may be effectual, the catching of mackerel 
during a period of three months of each year, mainly the spawning season, when, as is well known, 
so far .as the salting of fish is concerned, they .are ill suited for that xiurxiose. 
There is considerable doubt among the authorities as to whether or not any appliances for 
catching fish th.at rove in the oxien sea can have an .axipreciable efi'cct uxion their quantity. I .am 
less of ox)inion now than I w.as in the earlier stages of such investigation .as I h.ave been able to give 
