Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-02
SEA AND SHORE FISHERIES.
Commissioner 0. B. Written Offers General
Summing Up OF this Industry.

Hon. Grin 3. Written, commissioner o
sea and shore fisheries, has rendered hi:
report to the Governor and Council, ant
presents much interesting and valuable
knowledge in reference to this impor
tant industry of the Maine coast. In hi:
introduction he speaks of the great value
Of the fishing privileges OF this State and
the fruitfulness of the waters, and to give
some idea of the extent of the business he
says:
"Thcre are enrolled in the customs
districts of this State 437 vessels which
are exclusively engaged in the fisheries,
and in addition TO these there are en-
plcyed in the shore fisheries more than
5000 fishing boats with valuation of not
less than $500, 600. When we take into
account the vessels, boats, weirs, pounds,
traps, bag nets, fyke-nets, seines, lines,
Epots and miscellaneous apparatus in coz
|nection with shore privileges which are
necessary for the prosecution of the bust
ness, we find that their value in the aggre-
gate will reach a sum that even those who
arc familiar with the business will be
astounded at. ! hope in q subsequent re
port to be able to present with numerical
exactncss the magnitude and Importance
of the fishery industry to the State. The
fisheries, as u source of immediate wealth
and rs n nursery of seamen, are of too
much value to be neglected or abused. L
do not over estimate when l say that
there is invested in apparatus and cash
capital in the sea and shore fisheries of the
State $4,000. 900, while employment is
given to TO- 600 of its citizens.
He furnishes general summing up of
the herring fishing and it's Importance
and extent. Following this he refers to
the lobster fishing, and says:
"a quarter of % century ago 1000 lobs-
tiers arriving in Portland in one day would
have overstocked the market Now there
are 80 lobster smacks plying along this
coast and 81 of this fleet find Il market for
their Holsters in Portland, and it is esti-
mated that they, including what arrived
in boats and other shipments, landed in
Portland during TIE last 10 months 4, COO,
900 lobsters for which the dealers paid
not less than $500, 000 1t is estimated
that there are 200, 900 lobster pots owned
by the lobster fishermen on this coast,
and that they cost when ready for the
water ST. % each or the aggregate $780,
600. Warden Vinal of Vinalhaven, re-
ports that there are "a lobster fishermen in
that town and the value of the lobster
gear is S6495 and that the boats are valued
at $4,000. The fishermen received for their
catch of Holsters during. the past year $685.,
500. Warden WA. Henderson informs me
that in Cutler and vicinity there are 295
fishermen engaged in the lobster fishery
employing 1lS beats and 1880 lobster pots.
Warden John L. Hill says that in the
town of Gouldsboro there are 100 men
with families that obtain their entire sup
port from the fishing business.
Maine holds the key to the lobster
fisheries and the large and increasgng
demands from the South and West depend
principally on Maine for the supply. 1t
is business of too much Importance to