INSHORE FISHERIES 



213 



From the above table it will be seen that while the in- 

 crease in the number of canneries was at times rapid, es- 

 pecially from 1875-1886, there has been no year in which 

 the annual output and value of sardines have not increased 

 with still greater rapidity. The number of sardine can- 

 neries in 1905 is little more than one-half the number op- 

 erated in 1898. Within the past few years the sardine indus- 

 try has undergone considerable change. In 1899 two com- 

 panies were formed, known as the "Seacoast Packing Com- 

 pany" and the " Standard Sardine Company,' which in- 

 cluded most of the canneries in Washington and Hancock 

 Counties. The Seacoast Packing Company eventually 

 absorbed its younger rival, and a number of the more an- 

 tiquated plants were discontinued. Some of the canneries 

 were fitted with new and improved machinery and were 

 thus rendered more effective than formerly. Eleven plants 

 at Eastport, owned by the Seacoast Packing Company, 

 were not operated in 1902. This company was reorganized 

 in 1903, and a greater number of its canneries were sold. 2 

 The result of this consolidation of interests is that there 



lAnsley Hall, p. 465; Fisheries of the New England States, 1902 

 and 1905; Maine Report, 1905 and 1906. 



2 Fisheries of the New England States for 1902, p. 273. 



