Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-02
In Methods By Fish Com
missioner Donahue.
Recommends Licensing Those
Engaged In Lobster Industry.
Advocates Restocking and Propoga.
ton Of Barren Clam Flats.

missioner of Sea and Shore Fisheries
James Tonahue of I,ntklanl, being the
c0th report Of the department, has been
filed with the Governor and Executive
Council. Representing as it does one
Of the oldest industries and in many
respects one of the most important as
sets of Maine, great interest attaches
10 this report. Interest is also added
from the fact that under the adn.inis-
trdtion OF :nc present commissioner a
number of important changes in meth
DDS have been made. while at least che
branch of tho fisheries has taken on Il
decided boom.
At the very outset Mr.. DOnahuc gives
a comparative table showing the in
crease in the value of Names fisheries
in the past 20 years. In 1855 their
value was $2,292o00. In 1905 their value
is $.,S5o,00o. These figures simply in
cludc the value of the catch as taken
from the water Were the value ot
sardinc or other canning factories.
their products and the equipment of
the fishermen. together with the
amount paid for labor included it
would bring this value to approximate
~ $4,000, 900
me report lncluutS Il summary Oh inc
work of tn" International Congress- of
Fishery bureaus held in Washing ton
this year Under the authority of Con-
gresS as well as the conference of the
governors OF the New England states
called in Boston by Governor-;uild Of
Massachusetts. The report states
that the unanimous decision Of the
other commissioners at this latter con
ference was to the effect that the
Maine lobster law was the best of any
state and that they would recommend
to their several legislatures the adop-
ton of the Maine standard of size and
methods Of measurement,
The Commissioner makes the follow
ing recommendations:
.Alewives-Towns that have control
of fish should be obliged to provide
suitable fiShWayss in dams.
Clams-ProviSion should be made by
leasing or otherwise. to prevent entire
d"Dletion OF productive flats and pro-
vide for restocking and propagation of
barren fats.
Dynamiting-The law against dyra-
hitting should be made as strong and as
far reaching as possible.
Hcrring-rhere should be a uniform
solning law. adopting the present law
west of White Head.
Lnbsters-A law should be passed re-
curing all persons engaged in the
lobster industry to be licensed
Salmon--Owners of dams should ba
obliged to provide suitable Gshways.
Scallops-A close time should he pro-
Nidcd for Knox county.
+,.it I,Ipt
should be made obligatory upon. towns
10 appoint fish committees, and penalty
provided for failure of committee to
properly perform its duties.
Discussing the work of the .d"nart-
lncnt Mr. Donahue says that while for
many wears the value of the fishery IN
duStry to Maine has greatly increased,
thereby increasing the work, which his
department must do the appropriation
for the expenses has remained fixed at
S5,m0 This. he says. is inadequate"
and should be increased.
\ system of weekly and monthly re-
rcrtS as well as the annual report from
deputy wardens is now in use. WHICH
cDabIcS the commissioner to keep &c
cGratrly informed as to what Is BENG
done towards the protection of me
fishery interests as well as to the value
OF the product
The reasons offered for the recon-
mendatipn that lobster men snail u"
licensed is that it is believed 1t WOULD
bring ahou: better protection OF nSh
il would mean however considerable
More work with IL resulting large re-
duction in the revenue from fines from
violators of the law.
With all bills of the department PAID
To November l. zoos. there was a pal
anc" in the state treasury to the credit
OF the general appropriation of the de-
partment of Si953. The bills for No
velnbrr and December remaining to &c
paid from money heretofore collected
from fines This the commissioner
feels. shows that the department can
not be kept up to its present standard
Of efficacy without an increase IN the
appropriation
The report says that there has been
great change in the feeling towards
The laws for the protection of iish. es-
pecally these regarding Holsters. IT
commends the work done in this dlrec-
ton by the Lobster Fishermen's Ma
Noiidi l'rOLectlNe -ASSocidttoil
Commissioner Donahue says that It
mas been demonstrated in the past that
cams should not exceed medium size
Tor food purposes. This size VIII I'M
der favorable conditions be attained
from the seed in two years. 1t has also
peen found that as a practical mat
yer all flats should be dug over every
Two or three years. The result of the
conference in Boston in November was
u'at the Rhode Island law was par
ucuiarly we'll adapted to conditions IN
maine. Under this law clam flat BEDS
are leased for given term of years
70 citlzens. The result in Rhode Islano
uoeh from q financial standpoint alio
oiat Of protection mas been a success.
Inc commissioner recommends that
ne present law. prohibiting the netting
VI cod fish at the mouth of the Sheep
=. ..o' river be amended SO as to prohibit