Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-02-16
The Peggy, or Porgy Business.

| largely for the past ten years, ana we are
pleased to say that generally the business
has paid quite well. At first the amount
of business done, and the number of per-
sons engaged was Insignificant. Here and
there. on the shores of the Pcnobscot and
Frenchman's Bay, some few enterprsinS
fishermen entered into the business, with n
determination to test Its money making
phase. and also To see If it would continue
permanent thing. At first there was
some doubt as to what uses the Oil could
be applied. legitimately and in fair mer-
camille way. Not but what pcrgy oil could
be clarified or manufactured over, and then
serve AS a valuable ingredient in other and
higher priced oils in the market. but could
it and would it be sought for in the market
under its appropriate name. and bring a
paving price. This last point has been
satisfactorily settled We understand. and
TODAY this kind of oil stands high in the
market rs an aIIIcIe Tor tanners use IL
does not have to be disguised under an as
sumed name. nor compounded with cod or
any other kind of oil to make it sell. So
much having been settled. the next point
to be examined is. the supply OF the raw
material" What effect does the taking of
such large quantities have on the supply:
Perhaps the only source of knowledge on
this point is the experience of the past ten
wears. and what little knowledge we may
have of the habits and haunts Of this fish.
On the latter peint our knowledge Is very
limited We think. Of course. that the
porgy goes into warmer ATTITUDES to breed,
and to get his growth. because he is not
seen on our coast until the summer. and
then full grown and without spawn. He
goes not much farther east than French
mans Bay. and leaves the coast in Septem-
Der.
On the other point. the experience of
not to be fully relied on. because there
have been so many disturbing causes
Common sense would seem tn teach us and
so would reasoning by analogy. that the
small amount caught As compared to the
vast numbers i'm the ocean. would not aud
could not by any possibility. sensibly effect
the supply. We are told that since the e.
Establishment of lobster factories all along
the shores of these two bays. that this
shell-fish has rapidly and wonderfully i'll
creased i'll numbers. The lobster. bcin"
the scayenger of the sea. in some sense.
and living in the same haunts of the por-
| gies. may live on the refuse from the por-
girs. or oil factories. and from its excess
of food. or ftom being lot alone by is natural
enemy is left to multiply &c. So. perhap,
the porgy may live on the refuse of the lob
ster factories. But We apprehend that tie
chief cause if any cause shall. or does ex-
will be found in the manner of takin.
them. We have no doubt. from what We
| learn from those engaged in the business
of catching this fish. that the trouble arises
| from the use of the gill net, and this ac
| counts for their being so shy and Wild
By an act passed the last winter the use of
the seine was forbidden in taking them
70 many people. such a law was no bar, as
they can not afford to purchase seines they
costing high: but il this is the best way of
takin. them. causing less disturbance than
any other. and the surc>t way also. then
why should the Legislature pass law
prohibiting it: But we have said more on
this subject than we intended to at this
time, although we do not think any apollo
nv is necessary as the business is getting to
De an important one,-onc in which large
numbers of our people are engaged. and
one requiring large amounts to be invested
in the various kinds of machinery and i'm
plcmcnts for its successful prosecution. If
it is to be permanent business we want to
know how to prosecute it to the best advan-
tagc, and want the Legislature to let the
people alone in the matter. or else in its
legislation aid and protect it.
The Augusta correspondent of the East
port Sentinel says
The porgy fishery business is attracting
attention from gentlemen Of means along
our coast. ami vast number Of petitions
for the repeal of the porgy law of 1865,
! while a corresponding number Of remoD-
stranccs have been presented and referred
10 the committee on fisheries. whose men,
| beers have agreed to finally settle upon a
bill. having occupied the entire time of two
sessions in hearing evidence from parties
for and against repeal.
II seems that it is for the best interest Of
the inhabitants Of the coast around Pcnob-
scot Bay to have the right to Use set nets,
being more favorable to those of limited
means than the Use of large seines costing
not less than $500; while the inhabitants
of the coast. from the easterly line of Lin
coin county, to the westerly line of the
State are in favor Of using seines on &C.
count Of shoals of these valuable fish being
driven from the bays and harbors by the
| Use of set nets
II has been estimated that the trade of
poryy fishing has already amounted to
| millions. Capitalists are invited from
| abroad to invest in this great enterprise;
some are already on our coast awaiting the
action of the Legislature in this matter"
Since writing the above we have seen a
draft Of an act reported by Senator Hamor
from the Committee on Fisheries, and or
dered to be printed. BY this act the law Of
1865 is affirmed, that no person shall set or
use any seine within three miles of the
shore in any waters of this State for the
purpose of taking menhadcn or porgies
under a penalty. &c. But the County
Commissioners may grant Il written permit
to any person or persons to take with 4
seine or seincs, within their county, men-
hadcn. &C.. for bait. or for the purposes Of
being manufactured into oil or gliano upon