The Portland daily press., 1890-03-01
TO AID YANKEE ENTERPRISE.
Changes In the Law Governing the
Catching of Mackerel.
Especial to the Press.l

WASHINGTON, February 2S.-It seems
probable that Congress may do something
to give the Gloucester fishermen who wish
to fish for mackerel around the Cape of
Good Hope the opportunity to land their
catch in the months now set apart as close
time. The law which was passed in the
second session of the 49th Congress, largely
through the efforts of Mr.. Reed, provided
that for period of five years from the first of
March. 1888, no mackerel, other than Spanish
mackerel and such American mackerel as
should Ee caught with hook and line in boats
and landed in such boats, or in traps and
weirs from the shore, should be imported
into the United States or landed upon its
shores. The object of this law was to pre-
vent the unreasonable and destructive oper-
ations of the early seiners
When the Gloucester fishermen undertook
their African venture after mackered from
the region of the Cape of Good Hope, Fitz j.
Babson wrote to Mr.. Reed about an amend
ment to the law so as to allow the landing of
African mackerel at all times. In his opinion
such an amendment would not Interfere
with the object that the law is intended to
accomplish.
This opinion of Mr.. Babson has also been
fortified by an opinion of Capt j. w. Collins,
assistant in charge of the division of fisheries
who thinks the catching of the African
mackerel will in no way diminish the Amer
lean supply. Capt. Collins says that the
cruise of the Alice this winter to the Cape of
Good Hope demonstrates the fact that there
are good fishing grounds in that region
which can be profitably worked by our yes
sells when they might otherwise be idle. 1t
is also fact that mackerel are frequently
abundant off the coasts of Europe when
they are scarce near our own shores. In
Europe the species is most numerous
and most easily taken in March and
April, though as here, not in the
best condition. At the Cape of Good Hope
March and April correspond to our Septem-
Der and October, and mackerel would then
be in the finest condition for food. 1t is,
therefore, manifest that if American fishing
vessels are to engage in the industry of
fishing on the coast of Africa or in the mack
erel fishery off the coast of Europe, they can
proftably do so only on the condition that
they can land and sell their catches in the
United States without restriction. Capt.
be amended so as to except from its provis-
ions mackerel caught in waters adjacent to
coasts OF Africa and Europe by vessels sail
ing under the flag of the United States
Capt. Collins thinks that there will be no
difficulty in determining whether the vessel
legltimately took the mackerel off the coast
OF Africa or Europe, since the Treasury De-
partment could demand that each vessel
should enter at the port in Europe or Africa
for which she cleared, and that she clear
from port for home at the close of her
fishing season.
This recommendation is made under the
assuption that Congress may. under the cir |
make amendments that give |
temporary advantages to vessels of this |
country. If this is wrong, however, and the |
effect of such an amendment would |
Ss the 70 same give privileges f0rsgf e Vfssss and
ing mackerel as ore given to our own, Capt.
Collins things it will be difficult to so amend
the law as to give our fishermen the desired
benefit, since he believes that it would be un
wise to open our markets to the indiscrimin-
mackerel caught between the first OF March
and June.
Some of the Gloucester fishermen have also
complained that the law delays them 10 days
IN the spring when they start out for Nova
Scotia. It is represented that the mackerel
IN their mlgrations reach the coast of Nova
Scotia as early as the middle of May, where
they are caught BY the Canadians. who put
them upon the. United States markets before
our fishermen have an opportunity to engage
In the fishing. Capt. Collins believes that
this statement is true, and thinks that the
point should be considered
Whether 1t will be possible to allow
American vessels the privileges of landing
fish from April to June while foreign vessels
are shut out, raises delicate question. The
United States has treaty arrangements with
foreign nations which may preclude such an
amendment as Captain Collins has suggest
ed.