Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-04
WARDEN HANNA
Declares Present Lobster
Law Best Possible.
But Must Be Lined Up 10 By
Fishermen and Officials.
Advocates Close Time and Jail Of.
fence to Violate Law.

In his message to the Legislature
Governor Haines dealt with the lobster
question in a manner instructive and
interesting. EIe suggested a close time
during which il would be Illegal to
ship any Holsters out of the State, and
rigid enforcement of the law. Now n.
j Hanna, former fish warden, is out
in letter that is enlightening on the
same subject Governor Haines said:
THE commissioner of Sea and Shore
fisheries in mis- last report. that for the
years of 1909 and 1910, estimates the
annual value to the State of the fish,
cries and investments connected there
With at more than S10,000,0 900. Jnelud-
ed in these fisheries is the lobster in
du5try, which, to my mind. is the most
important. with the possible exception
of the sardine industry. of any branch
Of this business.
"fhe present law provides that lob
sters shall not be taken and sold which
are practically less than 101a inches
long. The Massachusetts law on this
subject permits the taking of Holsters
nine inches long. This gives the Mas
saehusetts fishermen a chance to come
along our coast with steam vessels and
take away a great many Holsters,
which cannot be sold by the Maine
dealers, providing they can get the
fishermen to get them for them. Tn
less carefully watched by the wardens
Holsters less than f012 inches long may
be shipped out Of our State by rail.
They may also be sold to our summer
visitors living along our seashore. The
United States Government has estab-
lished a hatchery at Boothbay Harbor
for the propagation of Holsters. This
is done at large expense and each
year puts into our waters along our
coast a great number of small Holsters.
1t seems ridiculous to me when the
United States is aiding us in this bust
ness. that our citizens should not re-
spect their own laws. and that many
Holsters less than l015 inches long
should be taken and disposed Of. 1t
Is claimed by those who ought TO know
that nine-inch Holsters in one year will
become 10l5-inch Holsters, and that
their value is thereby practically dou-
bled. Hence. It is difficult to UNDER
stand why the fishermen, and fish
dealers. knowing this fact, would take
and dispose of Holsters less than fe12
inches long. even il the law did not
forbid it. HOLSTERS are among the most
expensive foods. and the demand for
them is great. 1t is very evident that.
unless We have suict enforcement of
the laws we have, this industry. which
is one of the best, will very soon be of
little value to our people. Some think
a close time, of the two months of
July and August, during which time it
would be illegal to ship any Holsters
out of the State. would prove of great
benefit and value to this industry.
This would tend to make Holsters
cheaper to our people during these two
months, when our shores are crowded
with visitors from nearly every state
in the Union. These months are known
as the shedding season and the less
lobster fishing there is carried on dur
ing these two months, the better for
the propagation and growth of these
fish. | understand that during these
two months great many Holsters are
taken which are kept in pound by the
dealers who are specializing in this
food product This practice is said to
damage the quality of the Holsters.
These suggestions | get from men
whom | think are honest and under
stand this business, and if conditions
are as reported to me. | believe an
amendment of our law, along the lines
indicated, for the protection of the lob
ster industry would be of great value
to our fishermen along our seacoast,
and be generally appreciated by all the
people of the State. / submit this sug-
gestion to YOU for your very careful
consideration.
There are many other industries
within our borders that | might men
ton, q discussion of which would shed
further light on our economic and in
dustrial situation, but time forbids any
further consideration of this subject;
suffice it to say that there is every in
diCation that the State is in IA more
indanGpdapt and ly.oGparons condition