Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-01-03

hide price will now pay the fisherman
| or dealer for the legal article and in tho
open.
THE seed lobster bill! was an expert
| ment. but I think It is working well
| and is accomplishing what its trainers
intended. 1t saves from destruction
the Holsters carrying eggs. and will in
crease the number of Holsters IN our
waters.
I'm MY opinion it is til" most import-
ant Dill ever enacted in relation to tho
lobster. believe this law is univer-
| sally respected by the fishermen.
Mr.. NickersOn quotes tn law enacted
by the last legislature providing for the
protection OF Holsters ! with eggs at
ta"hed. and mentions the napht:la
launch Sea Gull. whicl has been used
t" carry out its provisions. He SAYS
The Se:: Gull constitutes the entire navy
of the state Of Maine Of the operation
of the law. he says:
THE OnrpOsc Oe this law was to nut
an end to the wholesale destruction OF
lobster eggs. The lobster when caught
with eggs attached was stripped of the
eggs. which were thrown away. ana
the lobster sold. Thus not ONLY the
eggs I" the number Of many millions
annually were lost. hut the mother
lODstcr was also destroyed.
THE Sea Gull, capt. l.. S. Nicherson.
has been very busy collecting the egg
bearing Holsters. There was at first
considerable difficulty in inducing tn.
fishermen TO save the lcbsters and
keep them for future cole ction. 1t was
4 COZ. n iCtI.
will say that generally :ftcr fully cx-
planning the purpose &c the law We
have had the cooperation Of the men
in the business and the plan is COLI
ceded to be very advantageous ulti.-
n,ately to the fishery. and at the same
time climin:l,ns the incentive to destroy
the eggs and sell the adul. female
The L. S. fish commission has as
sisted this department by making COL
lc"tion:i for a part If the season in the
western section of the ..'ata waters. Ii
has also secured an artificial saltwater
reserve in Lincoln county and is cx-
perimentinG in the I1cel.ing of Holsters
therein. awalt;n. Transportation TO the
hatchf nv and for other purposes Of OBJ
servation end investigation under nat
ural conditions.
As to legislation. the commissioner SAYS !:
Tile suggestions of the lobster cOnvcr-
ton as to law granting permits to lob
Stcr fishermen ] recommend adopted by
the enactment of law in substance as
follows:
N" person or corporation shall engage.
IN the lobster fishery III thi:; STATE without
Il permit from the commissioner Of sea
and shore fisheries. which permit .lal- b..
furnished free Of cost to the applicant
and shall contain copy of the laws for
III" protection Of the lobster
AIRY person who engages in lobster
tshing without 4 permit from the commits
sioner shall forfeit not less than one hun
dred dollars or be liable to Imprisonment.
or 10th fine and imp isonment at the dis
cretion of the court.
"A re!$On holding permit who is con
vi'ted Of a violation of any of the lobster
laws shall surrender his pcrmi: To the
commissioner and it shall rot be rc-is-
sued within one year from the date of sur
render
"Failurc to surrender 4 permit shall
make the holder liabl, 10 i, penalty OF not
less than fifty dollars.
~ similar law Will be presented 10 the
ltcislatur" of Massachusetts. New lamp
shire. Kho1, Island. Conn. cticrl. an,;
New York by the commissioners Of thc%,.
states. Uniform laws as to the length
limit will he prepared and adopted! as far
as possible. conforming generally. think
to Names limit of T.. inches
Continuing. he says: Tho fishery laws
of Maine. pnblir and special. should be re-
vised at this. session of the legislature.
Many of them arc conflicting. colrradic-
tory uncertain and often are impossible
| of intelligent Interpretation and Of en-
forccment. Some should he repealed and
all should carly in the session be COM
| mitted into the hands Of 4 competent at
| torncy. 80 Il commissioner. to revise and
report such recommendations for rcpcalS.
| amendments. and corrections may be
required and early enough for action ot
the present session, and this / earnestly
recommend