Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-02-15
Hearing on Migratory Fisheries.

There was long hearing before the conf
mit,ee on seashore fisheries TUESDAY after
noon on migratory fish laws. Hon. q. u.
Baker conducted the ease for those parties
opposed to a three mile limit and DESTROYS
of modification of the present law So to
allow seining in certain Maine bays and
inlets.
W. $. Jordan of Portland spoke against
the three nile limit AMI VIZ ston +. Mlllken
presented letter bearing the names,
1t ia said. of most of the leading business
men on Commercial street. Portland, and
made statements concerning the large in
tarests in tha, city which would be seriously
affected by this proposed three-mile limit.
Mr. Fernald salt that for 50 years he had
been inspector of inaekesel in this State,
and he claimed that migratory fish have
their rise and decline owing to natural
causes solely. Mr. Emery of Portland
spoke in the same line. Mr.. NJ. =. Stick
nev. n seine manufacturer, spoke against
the bill The reason why the maekerel
are followed by fishermen to the coast of
Maine because they become fatter the fur
Their north. The younger member of the
firm of Conley & Son. Portland, in the oil
business spoke for Il change in the present
law.
Mr. Nathaniel Hanna of Bristol adj
dressed the committee at considerable
length for the repeal or modification of the
porgy law lie said he represented the
fishermen who earn their livelihood by Il III
ing. The law could not be enforced. He
told what he said was the history of the
movement that brought about the present
Law. The trouble arose because of the
jealousy of the shore fishermen on account
of the prosperity Of the menhaden men,
anl because they were obliged to pay for
porgy bait. He said that new industry,
the herring fishery. bad come up in his
vicinity, and how il Is carried on despite
the law. II the law was to remain it should
be enforced. Then there would be such
howl go up that the Law would be repealed
immediately. But the men who refuse to
break the law become fish wardens, and
others who are successful in violating the
law won't sign petition for its repeal.
The law when il is enforced is on the
Maine fishermen. and those who come to
the fishing grounds escape. Weirs couldn't
stand in the waters where this herring in
dustry is carried on.
There was a time when menhaden was
considered very choice bait but the fisher
men now depend almost altogether on the
herring for bait.
Mr. Spring OF the Portland Bone &
Fertilizer Co. who is interested in the
fertilizer business, sand the menhaden was
the most valuable for that business and sc
most available fish. He favored . oh snse
in the existing law. His fertilizer is used
largely by the farmers of this State an
costs mere for ammonia than when msn-
hasien are used ansi the cost TO the far ners
is neeessariiv enhanced. Get . bes'e'
article of tsa scrap from the menhatien on
the Maine coast than from anywhere els ,.
ST.. Spring was closely cross-quesioned
by Mr.. n. h. Srinney who conducted the
other sh!e.
s!r. Church. a trap fisherman, was ex-
amine.i BY the committee. He said th.
present law is wrong. l.wouh be no IN
jury - the trap fishermen to have parse
seining. II the porgies could be so. out Vi
the way il woaid be better for his class Of
fishermen.
Ex-Reprssensstiye Schofieid OF Haras
well Neck was next called. He fAvo I'D the
bill but didn't know but what II would a.
it pow stool exclude smels fishins lie
wanted that fixeI. II cost more to enforcs
the present law than q new insane hospital
Mr.. Dyer. raackerel senior of Ssash-
port didn't think The present law good be-
cause no, enforced and the thre s-mi linz;
law would practically destroy the siasss
industry.