711.428/588
The British Appointed Ambassador (Geddes) to the Secretary of State
Sir: I have the honour, at the request of the Canadian Government, to enquire whether the United States Government would be prepared to send experts to a conference to be held in Ottawa in September or October next, as may be agreed upon, to decide upon a programme of work to be taken up in 1921 in connection with a thorough scientific investigation to ascertain the migrations of fish, the causes of such migrations, the effects of different methods of capturing fish, the spawning places of fish, the haunts of young fish and the abundance of organisms which supply food for fish, etc.
In this connection I am advised by the Canadian Government that the waters resorted to by Canadian fishermen on the Atlantic coast are also frequented by the fishermen of the United States and Newfoundland, and on the Pacific coast by those of the United States. Such investigations are, therefore, of common interest to the three countries on the Atlantic coast and to Canada and the United States on the Pacific coast. It would assure more efficient, more economical and speedier investigation if these three countries would unite in carrying on the work on the Atlantic coast, and Canada and the United States on the Pacific coast.
In 1902 the various European nations engaging in the North Sea and adjacent waters formed an association known as “The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea” to carry on such work there. The work of the Council was largely prevented during the war, but is again being taken up by the different nations. In 1912 and again since the war, Canada was very strongly urged to join this Council, but on account of the vast amount of research work that needs to be done in the waters adjacent to Canadian coasts it was considered best that Canadian efforts should be concentrated on this side. Hence the invitation was declined.
Similar reasons to those that prompted the formation by the European countries of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea obtain for the creation of such a council between Canada, Newfoundland and the United States. Such a council, if formed, could cooperate closely with the International Council and each assist the other.
I understand that the formation of such a council has been unofficially discussed with the fisheries authorities of the United States [Page 407] and with the ex-Minister of Marine and Fisheries for Newfoundland, and they both warmly favoured the idea. Indeed the United States, which became a member of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, before the war, has declined to do so again with a view to co-operation in carrying on such work here.
The formation of such an association has been strongly urged by the Canadian Fisheries Association, which is representative of the different branches of the industry and by the Royal Canadian Institute.
I understand that the Government of Newfoundland are also being approached by the Canadian Government with a view to their sending representatives to the Conference.
I have [etc.]