Fisheries Question

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

in American history, the right, or otherwise, of American fishermen to take fish in Canadian waters. Prior to the American Revolution there was no such question, all British waters being open to all colonists. The Canadian fisheries were, and are, by far the most valuable on the North American coast. In negotiating the Peace of Paris, 1783, Great Britain very naturally desired to cut the late colonists out of fishing in the Canadian waters; but John Adams, one of the United States commissioners, being a native of New England , and familiar with the value of the Canadian fisheries, stood stoutly for fishing privileges. To understand the question, it is needful to know that the sea, to within three miles of the shore, is everywhere open in time of peace to all corners. The right of fishing is nowhere disputed. A Norwegian ship may fish three miles off shore from Naples; but it is useless to catch fish, unless the fishermen have the privilege of landing and curing their catch. The fishing question is then a question largely of shore privileges. Adams secured valuable privileges, as stated, in 1783. In 1818 a treaty was made with Great Britain by which three privileges were granted American fishermen: 1. To take fish in shore, that is to say, inside the three mile limit on parts of the coast of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia . 2. To dry and cure fish on unsettled parts of these coasts. 3. To enter harbors of settled coasts for wood, water, and shelter. The Canadians very justly feel that the privileges are one-sides. Various agreements have been made and dropped again. In 1877 the American government paid Canada $5,500,000 in settlement of an award made by arbitration. The most difficult point in dispute is the question of what constitutes the deep sea. Canada claims that the three mile line should be carried from headland to headland, thus shutting the New England fishermen out of the Bay of Fundy and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. In 1910 the question was submitted to the Hague Tribunal for arbitration.