726 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



the consumer, aud in the end will injure the reputation of the canned lobster as an article of food. 

 The soft-shelled lobster, if protected, would soon grow to be a good fish worth catching, while it 

 is of little or no value if used when soft"." 



NORTH HAVEN, ME. " It is my opinion that the sale of lobsters under SJ or 9 inches should 

 never have been permitted, and that it should be prohibited in the future. The canneries and 

 well smacks should be governed by the same restrictions." 



GEORGE'S ISLAND, ME. The fishermen almost universally approve of the present law forbid- 

 ding the sale of small lobsters, except from April to August, for canning purposes, and a large ma- 

 jority would favor a modification of the law, so that no small lobsters could be saved for any purpose. 

 They argue, and with some force, that the canning of the small ones during the summer practically 

 destroys the good results intended by the law, as very many are caught up at such times, and 

 comparatively few remain to attain the adult size. They claim that many lobsters measuring only 

 6 inches in length and weighing but pound are caught for canning at an average price of only 

 half a cent each, while, if saved, they would in two years at the most be of good marketable size, 

 and would bring from four to ten times as much. The destruction of small lobsters is quite exten- 

 sive in the vicinity of Muscle Ridges. 



WESTPORT, ME. "It would be as well if the prescribed length was 10 inches instead of 10 j 

 inches." 



GEORGETOWN, ME. At this place the fishermen strongly favor the law and would prefer an 

 extension of its provisions so that no small lobsters could be sold at any time. 



PORTLAND, ME. The Maine law that went into effect August 1, 1879, is heartily approved by 

 the fresh-lobster dealers, and they are eager in their demands for an extension of the protection to 

 young lobsters, so that at no period could any lobsters be saved or sold smaller than 10J inches 

 in length. They claim that the canneries now have all the time they would naturally require for 

 canning and that they are destroying the fisheries by buying up enormous quantities of the small 

 lobsters which are virtually of no value, or, at the most, supply but very little meat, while if left 

 in the water for another season they would attain a good size, and a much smaller number would 

 then furnish as much meat as is now obtained from the vast number of small ones. They claim to 

 have learned by experience that there is absolute necessity for stringent legislation, as the fishery 

 is being rapidly destroyed. 



The canneries, on the other hand, considering the question from their point of view, while 

 acknowledging the necessity of protection and manifesting a strong sympathy with the law as it 

 now stands, would oppose any measure tending to further restrict the time during which small 

 lobsters might be canned. They claim that the present law affords the lobsters ample time for 

 growth, and that with the laws rigidly enforced the fishery will prosper. Their interests suffer for 

 the time being by the close season, and this year (1880) they will not put up over two-thirds as 

 many cans as last. They think, however, that in time, with the resulting increase in size, they 

 will be able to obtain as many as formerly. They would oppose the throwing out of small and 

 seed lobsters during the canning season, on the ground that it would require much time to 

 examine each lobster and would cause general dissatisfaction among the fishermen, who, in their 

 shortsightedness, are thinking only of present necessities and would work in every possible way 

 against the interests of those canners who were strict in enforcing such laws and in favor of those 

 who might be disposed to slight them. 



BIDDEFOED POOL, ME. "The existing law in this State is a mere farce, so far as protecting 

 the lobster fishery is concerned. It benefits the canneries to the injury of the fishermen, and will 

 result in the extinction of the lobster. Although there are no canneries in this place, smacks 



