728 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



present time the close-time for S'llrnon, shad, and alewives begins July 15 and extends to the 

 first of the next April, rod-fishing being, however, allowed from July 15 to September 15. The 

 weekly close-time that has been generally maintained has been from sunrise on Saturday to 

 sunrise on Monday. 



Nets and other apparatus were early limited in length to one-third of the width of the stream 

 or water where used. At present they may not, except in the Penobscot River, occupy more than 

 one-eighth the width of the channel, nor shall fixed apparatus extend more than 100 feet beyond 

 the line where there is a depth of 2 feet at low water. 



Early laws exempted but a very small area, 3 or 4 rods from a fishway, from fishing, but since 

 1868 the limit has been removed farther and farther until now it is fixed at 500 yards ; but there 

 are many exceptions in small rivers. 



The foregoing remarks have reference especially to the fisheries for salmon, shad, and alewives. 

 About other anadromous species there has been little legislation. Smelts are protected by a 

 yearly close time, from April 1 to October 1, dip-nets being, however, allowed from April 1. 



The earliest provisions relative to the inspection of fish products applicable to Maine appear to 

 be contained in a colonial ordinance of Massachusetts of the year 1652, which, after rehearsing the 

 injurious effects on colonial trade resulting from the fraudulent practices of some dealers, provided 

 for the appointment of "viewers," who should scrutinize fish at the time of their delivery by the 

 seller to the buyer, and decide whether they were merchantable or not. Only dry salted fish 

 appear to have been included, lu 1692 a much more comprehensive ordinance was passed, in 

 which provision was made for the size of casks, the appointment of " gaugei s and packers " in 

 every town where necessay ; the inspection of goods packed to see that they are of good quality ; 

 the marking of the cask with the brand of the " ganger and packer " ; the infliction of penalties for 

 the infraction of the laws, &c. Similar provisions have remained upon the statute book until the 

 present time. Inspection is compulsory, and penalties attached to its omission, or to the exporta- 

 tion of unpacked fish. If the goods are found by the purchaser or consumer to be otherwise than 

 as represented by the brand, damages can be recovered of the inspector. 



