Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-12-30
Facts and Statistics from
Maine Fish and Game ReDol

Ay1 0S383O 001A 80
The followiug interesting facts and
figures are from the annual report Of
the Maine Fish and Game Commission.
recently filed with the Governor and
council by Harry B. Austin, chairman,
Leon G c. Brown and Frank E. Mace:
o Fishways.
Flowing from the interior through all
coast counties Of the State are many
rivers emptying into the sea which for
merly were the highways Of millions Of
food fish seeking their spawning
grounds each seasae
Maine rivers noted throughout
the country 1e eAce1lency Of their
salmon an siewive fisheries yielded
a has ,.syenue to the fishermen and
furnfsEsr.sn important item Of food
supply. *
During earlier years the rights of the
people to- the benefit and enjoyment Of
this vast food resource were jeaiously
guarded. but gradually the advance Of
manufacturing industries has been al
lowed to encroach Qnsthcee rights SO
that today hardly one OF our rivers re-
mains unobstructed by danas through or
around which no passage for migratory
fish has been provided. =
: Furthermore. mill refuse of all kinds
has been dumped into these rivers with
out restriction for many years Where
there has been no serious pollution the
accumulation of refuse has destroyed
the original spawning beds and has
changed the character of the rivers to
such an extent that these waters are no
longer resorted to by migratory fishes
in appresiAble numbers.
The Iaers and Harbors Act of 1899
was the first step on the part Of the
Federal Government 10 remedy these
conditions in navigable streams. but un-
til recently the provisions Of that law
as they apply to MSH'e rivers have not
been enforced.
Section 6, Of Chapter 80. Revised Star
tutes. provides that the Commissioners
of Inland Fisheries and Game shall
have authority In their discretion to
compel the owner or occupant Of every
dam or other artificial obstruction above
tide,water in any river or stream fire.
Quented by salmon. land-locked salmon,
shad, alewives or other migratory fishes
to provide the same with durable and
efficient fshway." etc.
This section Furthermore provides as
to the method Of procedure to be fol-
that IF a f,shwav thus required Is not
a.,,..os 49, aa.t.r. a.io, 80 .ho
con,ro ss ~ Inland F,sner,e. &
Game within the time specified, every
owner or occupant shaIfEs forfeit not
more than one hundred nor less than
twenty dollars fpr every day Of such
neglect between the first days Of May
and November.
1t Viii be noticed that under the ex-
istinrEiaw the neglect to prov,de a Ash
way legally ordered Is be- erected during
the low water of the sfail or winter is
not subject 10 penaity until the season
when the building g Rshway is i'm
practical on can't IA high water. con-
&c Iuentls. "a IA 1wnersof a dam chooses
q taks NJ scha ns,,ea Screaming the mem
| atty for Ssach neglect. another seasons
run of fish has been icst-a loss. which
no penalty which NAV be imposed can,
in the least; Wonnpensat4. !,
The faw should be changed making
the penalty begin at the expiration of
the time specified for the completion of
the. fishway Instead of on May list, as at
present. ~ B gs.5@
| In this way we believe that the build
ing of fishways could be much better en-
forced. y
Fishrjs x. Ordered.
Aftar : w.,,-.,tard,5 heavily. ~, r,,ne
99d =. ch.rrvn.,d eshuaus 800
derad to no ..actaa ~ tha Az. w.. T.,
~ ~. ~. 80. ss S -
- Ssx. 49,. ~
Z ha,,;,. a.n... ~. 60. - $3.50 .to'
.,hr,,,taa ~ 80. .,..-. 80. .....a.s.
- - s vas 'eeu''
.n;.asss ~. 49,. 10 q z i j.
a.s go y MS! 80 - yneiu :
- AZ 80 = 4. VI
aoe - sl'e p1oE.. SO the owners
~ ~ .s Ss SsE u
~ .ly 49, I. =. 24 s, notnins
as %. aI aes.,s :sg III, out tHe re-
va -. s ss. y ~ 49, 49,. II o,lfrs.
y. oep. - w "a = - ss:.sz! g Sne' aan on
.ns Denhys livss ssa IN q snysslle. were
v.usreu " 1890 suataR'e hsnway
.nrousn 'sslr oans ens sane 70 pe COM
p!e'eu ~ Dec' :. h -
Appalenly no1nlhs mas .peen done as
Set - D""o en's hsnvay'
Inc Dennys river - ono OF the best
natural salmon rivers IN Maine, large