The Portland daily press., 1885-12-04
THE FISHING INDUSTRY.
important Meeting of the Portland
Exchange.
Action in Favor of Protecting AmerI-
can Fishermen.

can r ISElCfIHCHs
The adjourned meeting of the Fishing Ex-
change was held at their rooms on Com
mercial street yesterday afternoon. There
was large attendance and great interest
was manifested by the members present
President George Trefethen presided.
The secretary, Mr.. 0. B. Written, read
letters received from George Steele. ESQ.,,
president of the recent convention in Glou-
cester of the fishing interests and from W.
A, Wilcox, ESQ.,, manager of the American
Fish Bureau and agent Of the United States
Commission of Fish and Fisheries. Mr.
Steele wrote that Judge Woodbury. of Bos-
ton, who has been in Washington for the
fishing industry, has probably had a private
interview with President Cleveland in re-
gard to protection for American fishermen
and will communicate the results of his work
soon. Mr.. Steele assured the Portland Ex-
change of all the assistance he could render
them.
Mr.. Wilcox wrote that the assertions Of
the Boston Herald that Judge Woodbury's
course at Washington was not in favor Of
protection to the American fishing interests
were entirely unfounded. He said that
Gloucester is thoroughly awake to the
necessity of some steps being taken to secure
protection to our fishermen and assured the
Portland interest Of his hearty corporation
both as manager of the American fish
bureau and agent of the United States COM
mission.
Mr.. Written made some remarks upon the
present situation of the fishing interests and
the necessity of securing protection from
Congress. He said that the question is of
vital Importance, involving the life or death
of the American fishing industry. The
need of securing duty ON fish is imperative.
The English government IS actively working
against the Americans with the view Of
fbenefting its subjects. If the men engaged
in the fishing industry in this country are to
be protected it will be as a result of their
own efforts. They have built up the BUSH
ness and cannot be too interested in its pre-
sent condition. Ii protection is not given,
the business will be killed. In Portland this
would be a great loss and in the opinion of
the speaker, if the industry were to become
extinct the grass would grow on many OF the
Wharves along our water front. This year,
during which the catch has been small and
prices low, the Portland business in mackerel
alone has amounted to $4,000
Under the present tariff, the expiration Of
which will leave the industry unprotected
prices are extremely low and the govern
ment is enjoying the benefit of the revenue
Suppose the Americans have to give up the
business. In that event the fishery is practi-
cally in the hands of the Nova Scotia fisher
Iaen, giving them monopoly, with power to
establish prices as they desire. 1t has been
shown that only a small proportion of the
annual catch is caught in Canadian waters.
The American fishing industry would be bet
ter off today if maintained in our own wa
tiers, with no competition from the Provinces
and in view OF the fact that the selling price
is now extremely low, the assertion that the
Americans are working for their own advan-
tage in trying to continue the tariff, can not
be SubStantlated.
As the question was understood by Mr..
Written, all that the Americans want is that
a sufficient duty be placed upon Canadian
vsh to enable the Americans to compete on
an equal footing.
Another feature of the question is the UNI
restricted taking of CLANS for bait from
American shores by Canadian fishermen.
This has not received any attention, and
should be brought to the notice of the gov
eminent. 1t appeared to the speaker that
the British government is looking ahead, and
narrowing the American industry down, in
the hope that It will eventually be forced in
to the hands of the Canadians. The magni-
tude of the fishing industry is not generally
recognized throughout this country, the idea
being prevalent that it is confined to one or
two New England ports, and is Of little inn
portance.
Mr.. G. A. Dyer concurred with Mr.. Whit
tens views in regard to the attitude Of the
British government, and said that the indus
try in this country would have been killed
five years ago but for the adoption of i'm
proved appliances gotten up by Yankee skill
and ingenuity.
1t was voted that the letters read by the
secretary be received and placed upon file.
Mr.. A. NJ. Smith read the report of the
committee on early South fishing, consisting
of the following resolution. The report was
accepted and the resolution adopted
Whereas; 1t does appear to all interested in the
fishing industry Of the Atlantic coast of the Uni
ted States that the catching of mackerel before
being allowed to spawn, for which purpose said
fish come upon the northeast coast Of America
from the early part of March to the middle of
June; and believing as we do that the tendency of
catching such fish in senes, nets, wers or on the
hook in such quantities as is the present custom
to do, before such time of spawning, is tending to
depreciate the quality and quantity OF such fish,
and to drive them from our shores and
Whereas; We believe that the only way in
which this industry can be preserved and the good
quality and quantity OF such fish maintained, is
by the intervention of our national government by
the enactment of such laws as shall prohibit the
landing or importation into the markets of
country of any lnackere caught between Deem
Der of any year. and June of the succeeding year,
either by our own citizens or the subjects Of any
other government; therefore,
Resotced, That we, the undersigned engaged in
said fisheries in our several capacities of owners
of vessels and men employed on such vessels do
hereby respectfully request that the Congress of
the United States now in session will pass such
laws and restrictions as shall accomplish the pur-
poses aforesaid.
The resolution will be printed and signed
by those engaged in the industry here.
On motion of Mr.. A. M. Smith. Messrs.
Written, Dyer and Joyce were appointed a
committee to visit Gloucester and consult
with the representatives of the fishing inter
est there. The meeting was then adjourned
until next Wednesday at p. M, when it is
thought Judge Woodbury's report may have
been received