Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-03-15
THE MoNHEGAN PLAN.
Warden N. J. Hanna Says $1,000
Pounds Of Lobsters Caught This

Warden N. J. Hanna Says $1,000
Pounds Of Lobsters Caught This
Winter.
(Boothbay Register, March 10)
The fishing industry on Monhegan
Island is worth protection. says Ward
en- n. ]. Hanna, who has been sta
toned there for the past seven weeks,
and who has been waiting at this place
the past two days for chance to re-
turn by boat to that island.
In the early part Of February, just
before it was time to set out their
traps, it was believed by these sturdy
fishermen that a better and closer pro-
lection for their lobster industry could
be organized than had been formerly
conducted. In a meeting called to-
gether by the fishermen OF the island,
which was fully attended by all OF the
fishermen engaged, it was unanimous
ly agreed that no short Holsters should
be consumed by any person engaged in
the lobster business. 1t was further
agreed that no Holsters should be sold
to any smack or dealer that did not
comply with the State law-which is
Ak inches from the end Of the nose to
the rear end of the body shell. 1t was
further resolved in this meeting that
they would avail themselves Of their
rights under the license law to ask the
commissioner for the appointment Of
twelve special wardens who should
serve without pay. duly commissioned
to act as wardens for the protection of
| their industry. Warden n. j. Hanna
! was sent to the island to assist them
in their new resolutions. 1t took a
| long while to file bonds, as is required
J by the State law, get their commits
sions and have them sworn into office,
which was done. Warden Hanna con-
tinued to hold the fort, seeing that
these fishermen's ideas were fully car
ried into effect During the time these
regulations were being perfected. there
has been caught on this island nearly
81 900 pounds of Holsters, averaging 20
| cents Der pound, which has dropped
| nearly $1,000 in cash among IS fisher
men. Each fisherman was agreed that
not less than twelve shorts per week
had formerly been consumed by each
family on the island. This has made 4
net saving Of 456 small Holsters per
week; 1924 per month. or 9l2O small
Holsters that will be saved during
five-months' fishing season on TINS
island, and Warden Hanna says that
not one short lobster has been con-
sumed by a family on this island so TAR
this winter 1t was fully agreed by all
that 90 per cent of the catch sold last
winter was understood Holsters. This.
| La,
in this respect has been at least 5000
more, and Mr.. Hanna wishes to say
that a better compliance with these
rules and regulations could not possl-
bly, have been made by any body OF
men. Kind. gentleranly and con-
genial. rendering aid to the regular
warden in every respect, 1T seemed TO
he a special pleasure to these men to
render aid in the protection of their
business. the sad feature in the case
being that the commissions OF all
these special wardens have expired
with the retiring commissioner ana
Monhegan Isle is today without
warden. Warden Hanna has opened
communication with the newly-ap-
pointed commissioner. Hon. William
Brennan of Port Clyde, for the reap
pointment of these special wardens,
who will serve without pay, and hopes
to effect their re-appointment at an
early date.
Mr.. Hanna says if the fishermen
along the coast of Maine Will follow
the example of these Monhegan men,
in three years. time there could bo no
question about the increase of our
lobster industry, and his hope ana
wish is that our new commissioner Will
adopt this plan of sending some ex-
perienced man along our coast to per-
suade our fishermen to adopt the Mon
hegan plan. This can be done by
calling our fishermen together IN
every hamlet, by holding heart 70
heart talks with them, or in other
words this would be an educational
system which would go further than
legal suasion.
NK.aa