The Portland daily press., 1888-12-15

Tile SU6u D6COm6S udTu Il is KNOWN
to increase in "a hours from 9 inches
by shedding to 104 inches No eggs
are ever attached to 9inch lobster, while
the 10t inch lobster has from 1900 to $1,000
eggs attached to it, This is why the 9-inch
lobster should not be used. for II it is destroy
ed before it comes to maturity how long will
1t be before the lobster will be completely
exterminated on our sea coast? Considerable
space is given to extracts from Dominion re-
ports, and to statistics of Holsters caught
and canned in New Brunswick and Prince
Edward Island. In the shipping of Holsters
lby those who catch them to the markets,
n barrels. many short Holsters are found.
To prevent this, the commissioner recon-
mends that all barrels and packages contain
ing fish and game should require the ship
per's name marked on such packages in full.
Ii the shipper is making an honest shipment
he cannot object to this manner of marking
his shipments. By doing this they would
avoid their packages being examined.
MACKEREL. SMELLS AND PoRGIEs.
Mackerel have been scarce on our coast the
past year. The total catch for 1888 was 25.-
5l1 barrels, against 56,919 in 1887; S.557 in
1886; and 25S, 900 in 1885. Indeed the catch
for 1888 has been the smallest known for fif-
ty years. The cause of this great falling off
is not known.
By the statutes of 1887 no smelts can be
sold in this State after April list, caught in
any manner except by hook and line. But
the commissioner recommends that dip-nets
may be used up to May 1st, and that smelts
caught in this State may be sold up to that
date.
The menhaden, or porgy, which disappear
ed from our waters ten years ago, reappeared
this year, and one or two porgy oil factories
started up. 1t is also understood that prepa-
rations are being made to go largely into the
business next season.
ALEwIvEs, AND sARDINEs.
The alewive is an important fish, but 1t Is
gradually falling off each year. Their catch
is mainly confined to the Damariscotta, Med
omas and Georges rivers, and the towns de-
rive quite revenue from their sale. In 1888
$4,000 were caught in Waldoboro; and in
1887, 217 AGO were caught in Warren. There
are fifteen weirs ON Georges river. AT Dam
ariscotta and Newcastle, $4,000 were caught
in 1887; and in 1888 about 1,215,000. The
herrlng-sardine business is an enterprise of
considerable magnitude in Maine. There
are forty factories in the State. Their pro-
duct last year was 100000 cases. This year
il will reach 100000 cases. Each case con-
tains 100 boxes, and each box ten or twelve
little fishes.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The State Fish and Game Commissioners
have control of $1,000 square miles of terri
tory, to cover with an appropriation of
IS IL cents per square mile, or total of
$4,000. From this sum has to be paid $1,000
for the purchase of sea and land-locked sal
mon eggs. The Commissioners say IF
out the salary and the same appropriation
required for the fisheries alone, is to be con-
tinued to us, we have to request in the name
of common sense and justice, that we be ie-
lieved of the care of the game" They also
make the following recommendations:
1. A law imposing hea, penalty as well
as Imprisonment, for the use Of dynamite or
other explosives when employed in blasting
llQQQ9 dams riVars
2 Means to select and pay dozen good
and efficient men whom we can send to any
and all parts of the State, who shall be ever
present and on duty, and not only protect
cur fish and game from slaughter, but our
forests from fire Local wardens are of no
account as has been repeatedly shown.
!. Additional law for the protection of our
valuable forest lands against fires set by semi
outlaws and poachers.
A. The commissioners say: 1--WE would
suggest that the law taking part OF the PEN
atty from the warden which was changed at
the last session of the legislature, be restor-
I'd at the earliest possible date of the session,
that we may be able TO meet all the skin hun
ters who will begin their cruel dirty work af
ter the first deep SHOWS of January"
5. The addition of September to the
open time for deer, and law TO make ii
penal to kill COW or gearing moose at any
tune.
6. A good, square transportation law for
venison.
z. Tne means OF rigidly enforcing the
bounding law both for the sake of the game
Well as for our farmers sheep.
8. The close time to nets and weirs in tide
waters for. salmon, to commence the first
minute in july"
9. Cause the opening Of weirs to be made
at the bottom. ~ seF sa
10 Change secs. 81 and 81 of chap 40 of
Revised Statutes so as to impose a fine of S25
for setting or using net in ponds or streams
above tide water; to be S25 whether any fish |
n ar n bnr fSpn 0f
for each salmon or landlocked salmon so
caught; and 81 for every other fish. of any
kind whatever, so caught.
The report is signed by Z. NJ Stilwell and
Henry o. Stanley. Commissioners of Fish
and Game, and b w. Counce, Commissioner
of Sea and Shore Fisheries.