The Republican journal., 1910-11-24

| interests are OILen QldmeLrlcally opposed.
The proprietors of the sardine packing
establishments, as general proposition,
wish to stand in with both sides. When
most of their fish are coming from the
weirs they are strongly in favor of the
ing them the bulk of their supply, they
are equally keen on advancing their inter-
ests.
1.-The old law along the Maine coast
made it illegal to operate a seine within
500 feet of weir. The fishermen got
| fighting among themselves and, some
years ago, the old law was repealed and,
in its place, special laws affecting GER
tain localities only were passed. At
present it is illegal to seine fish within
half mile of weir along the Maine
coast east of White Head, which is at
the westerly entrance of Penobscot bay.
West of White Head the limit is placed
at l ZOO feet. 1t is also illegal to operate
seine in any bay or inlet the entrance
to which is less than three miles broad.
THE weirmen claim that the value of
their property is greatly decreased when
seiners are allowed to catch fish in the
vicinity. On the other hand, the seine
fishermen declare that there are often
bays and coves, in the vicinity of weirs,
where herring congregate, and that, un-
less they are taken in seines they are not
taken at all.
''There are various opinions as to
whether or not SEEMING, If permitted
without restrictions, would decrease the
supply Of herring on the Maine coast.
The fish are very prolific and, some au-
thorities believe that, if they were al
lowed to breed unmolested, they would
soon fill the ocean completely and over
flow upon the land. They are the great
food fish of the sea and are preyed upon
by nearly everything that swims.
while many theories have been ad
vanced to account for their scarcity this
summer there is nothing extraordinary
in it. Every few years they seem to un-
accountably disappear and no man can
say with certainty where they go. There
is no doubt but what they will return as
they have always done in the past. Old
fishermen believe that when the weather
is calm, as it has been along the Maine
coast this summer, the herring seek the
deep water"
Com'r Donohue believes the shore fish
ing industry to be one of the ost valu-
able which Maine possesses and tn 1T, by
wise legislation it is capable OF being
largely increased. Although the value
of the catch is approximately $40, 600, 900
per year, the State appropriates but $780,
900 annually to defray the entire expense
of the department. Out of this sum a
force of from 20 to 30 wardens is paid as
well as all incidental expenses.
Despite the fact that: over 5000 men
coast, these toothsome crustaceans have
been steadily increasing for the past six
years. Every possible effort is made to
enforce the short lobster law and fire.
quent seizures are made and the Offend
ers prosecuted.
Although Com'r Donohue says that
some sections of the coast, particularly
in the vicinity of the canning factories,
are being depleted of CLANS there are
many other localities in which the supply
far exceeds the number taken. Clam
flats. to be kept in the best condition,
should be turned over often. At the
rate things are going now, it isn't likely
that the Maine clam will become extinct
for good many years to come.
PenObScot bay is open to Scallop fish
ing each year from October LIST to May
LIST and the value of the catch last win
ter was 1925, 900. From indications now,
Com'r. Donohue thinks that the present
season is likely to be even better.
About half of the $4,000 which was
appropriated by the last legislature for
experiments with shell fish has been used
up. It has been proved conclusively
that oysters can be easily and profitably
cultivated here. Over 600 bushels of
oysters have already been taken from
one bed which Com r. Donohue establish
ed in Sheepseott bay. There are two
others in Damariscotta bay. The exact
conditions under which oysters flourish
are easily obtainable in Maine waters.