Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-16
local ann State Mems.
The Fisheries of Maine.


The fourth annual report of the commission-
er of Maine Fisheries, Charles G. Atkins,
is nearly ready for delivery. The planning
of fshways, the inspection of those already
built, the artificial propagation of salmon, the
condition of the fisheries as an industry, the
modes employed, and the manner and degree
of the enforcement of the laws regulating
them, have engaged the attention Of the COM
missioner for the past year. The progress
made toward restoration of the river fish
cries has been satisfactory. The fishways
built in accordance with the plans of the COM
missioner at Union Mills on the st. Croix at
Pembroke on the Penmaquan, and at Warren,
have been tested with entire success. The
fish have assembled in all these ways in large
numbers. Alterations have been made in old
ways and improvements in passage ways
around dams. The results of shad- Matching
in the Connecticut river, undertaken by Mas
sachusetts and Connecticut, have surpassed
the hopes of the most sapguine. About.56,-
100000 shad have been Matched and turned
into the river the past summer. A success
full effort in the artificial breeding of fish at
Newcastle, Ontario, is noticed. After inves-
tigating the subject personally, the commits
sioner made two excursions up the Penobscot,
one on the main river and one on its east
branch, the Mattagamon, and is of the opinion
that there are several places where a sufficient
number of breeding salmon could be obtained
to furnish eggs for the purpose of restocking
exhausted rivers and increasing the brood of
the Penobscot.
During the year there have been but three
wardens under pay-Thaddeus II. Spear of
Gardiner, Francis Blackman of Bradley, and
Caleb Gilman of Meddybemps. They have
been found faithful. Some wardens have
served without pay, and more of this class
should be appointed. An increase of the
number of commissioners TO three is urged,
without necessarily involving an increase of
the appropriation. A reason for this change
is given, that questions of too great moment
arise to trust their decision to one man.
Returning again to the subject of fishways,
the commissioner refers to the arguments that
have been adduced in former reports in their
favor, and presents in an appendix paper of
the British Isles. Those that have stood the
test of time in that country are nearly identi
cal with those in use in this State. Several
well executed plates are given, showing fish
ways in Ireland, also those recently built in
this State, together with imaginary plans, con-
trasting good with bad plan. The shapes
of rivers and dams are so various that these
ways cannot be built on uniform pattern. In
regard to who shall pay the cost Of the con-
struction of these ways, the commissioner is
satisfied that no principle of law is better
tablished than that owners of dams are liable
to build -fshways, unless they are expressly
relieved, and in support of this he cites re-
cent decision of the Supreme Court favorable
to the theory advanced. 1t is recommended
that the weekly close-time, as a general reg
ulation, be abolished. The commissioner then
proceeds to speak of fishways and other mat
tiers relating to the fishing interest more in
detail.
st. Croir R,cer The fshway at Union
Mills recently completed, has been tested and
alewives have passed through in great num-
bers. Salmon have passed up the passage at
Midtown. At Barring the way has been put
in good order. A way has been constructed
at Vanceboro'; one has also been built across
the river at the outlet of Grand Lake. One
is needed at Princeton in order to admit ale
wives to a chain of lakes.
Penmaquan Rirer. Four fshways were
built last spring over this river. The one
over Leavitt's lower dam is not satisfactory;
the one over the second dam, owned by the
Pembroke Iron Company, is success, ale
wives freely passing up. The one at the third
dam is yet in the rough. The commissioner
recommends that the town have authority to
protect the fish.
Walkers Pond. The alewives here are
remarkably small, a barrel holding $50 of
them, while barrel of ordinary alewives will
count out but 400. A dam without fishery
has nearly destroyed these fish. One has
been opened at very trifing expense and
works well.
Penobscot Rirer. Considerable attention
has been given to this river. A tributary Of
the river in Bradley has been restocked with
'alewives. The dams are found to be passable
W saihoI, except tnat at Dasln hiis. Az
Great Works there has never been any fish
ing Of consequence, and at Oldtown there is
very little fishing, the middle of the river be-
ing open. The commissioner urges the pro-
lection of salmon in this river. A thorough
inspection was made of the river and nets on
the river and in the bay. One hundred and
seventy-three nets and wiers have been used
the past year in the river and bay. A full de-
scripton is given in the report of these nets
and wiers. The protection of fish on this
river while passing the dams was well locked
after, and the result is that much larger
number than usual escaped destruction. An
appointment of an additional warden is rec
commended. The fishermen ali agree that the
salmon fishery has been far inferior to that of
1863 while the dealers in Bangor and Bel