A.M. Smith
Fishermen Interviews of the U.S. Commission of Fish and Fisheries, 1893-1895
In the late 19th century, the U.S. Fish Commission conducted numerous interviews with fishermen throughout the northeast U.S. including cod and mackerel fishermen from New York, New England and Nova Scotia. Most fishermen interviewed in the 1890s by the commission were over 50 years of age and recollected changes in the marine environment during their lifetimes. These interviews, or oral histories, are an excellent source for observations of Gulf of Maine fisheries. They provide first-hand accounts and observations of fish behavior and fishing activity on specific fishing grounds such as Stellwagen Bank. Most interviewees discuss the migratory patterns and behaviors of mackerel on the east coast. In addition, the fishermen offer descriptions of fish and catch sizes as well as theories for the decline in cod and mackerel in the 19th century.
A.M. Smith was a prominent figure in the fish business in Portland, Maine, during the late 19th century. His career in the industry spanned at least fifteen years, during which he gained significant insights into the mackerel fishery and the legislation surrounding it. Smith was not personally engaged in the fisheries but was a dealer, which gave him a unique perspective on the industry's economics and the effects of legislation on the market. Smith was known for his innovative thinking and was the first to propose a five-year close season for mackerel fishing. His motivation for this proposal was primarily economic, as he believed that early-season fishing led to market over-saturation and reduced profitability. However, he later acknowledged that this legislation had little effect on the mackerel population or the market. Despite his initial belief in the power of legislation, Smith eventually came to view most state and national laws regarding the mackerel fishery as useless. He was particularly critical of laws that he perceived as serving the interests of specific individuals or groups rather than the general good.
Scope and Content Note
This interview with A.M. Smith, conducted in November 1893, provides valuable insights into the mackerel fishery and related legislation in the late 19th century. Smith, a fish dealer in Portland, Maine, discusses his fifteen-year career in the industry and his views on various legislative measures. One of the key topics covered in the interview is the five-year close season for mackerel fishing, which Smith himself proposed. He explains his economic rationale for this proposal and acknowledges its lack of effectiveness. Smith also discusses the impact of legislation on the fishery, expressing his belief that most laws are useless and serve only the interests of specific individuals or groups. He criticizes the confiscation of vessels and gear for the actions of individuals beyond the control of the owner, arguing that the captain, not the owner, should be held responsible. The interview also touches on the issue of purse seining, a fishing method that Smith believes is more costly and less employment-generating than traditional hooking. Despite these criticisms, Smith does not advocate for the abandonment of purse seining.
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