954 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 
fisheries, but principally in the former, and the greater part of the 
catch is sold fresh. 
TIaddock.—The catch of haddock has fallen off considerably since 
1898. The greater part of the yield is sold fresh, the price being 
slightiy lower than for cod. 
Hake.—W ith the exception of herring, the catch of hake was greater 
then that of any other species, and shows a noticeable increase since 
1898. This fish is taken generally during the summer and fall. Con- 
siderable revenue is derived from the sale of the sounds, or swim- 
bladders; the fishermen claim that on an average 100 pounds of hake 
produce 2 pounds of sounds. 
Pollock.—The catch of pollock in 1902 was more than twice as large 
as in 1898, having increased from 2,129,450 pounds, valued at $19,364, 
to 5,376,371 pounds, valued at $49,123. Pollock are taken generally 
during the summer season, on hand lines. 
Halibut.—This species is taken on hand and trawl lines. The catch 
was comparatively small in both the vessel and shore fisheries and was 
sold fresh. Most of the halibut taken in the shore fisheries are of 
small size and are known as ‘‘ chicken halibut.” 
Herring.—The greater part of the herring catch is utilized in the 
sardine canneries and smokehouses in Washington and Hancock coun- 
ties. Compared with 1898 the returns for 1902 show an increase in 
the catch in all the counties except Lincoln and Waldo. The increase 
in Washington county was from 18,205,050 pounds, valued at $119,154, 
in 1898, to 132,804,116 pounds, valued at $353,848, in 1902. For the 
entire state the increase was from 42,156,964 pounds in 1898, valued 
at $263,477, to 162,404,266 pounds in 1902, valued at $510,189. Besides 
being prepared as sardines and smoked, large quantities of herring 
are also sold to fishing vessels for bait. . Many are frozen for this 
purpose. 
Mackerel. —The catch of mackerel in 1902 shows a slight increase 
over that of 1898, probably owing to the use of a larger quantity of 
apparatus. The principal forms of apparatus used were seines, gill 
nets, and pound nets. ‘The fishery is prosecuted generally during the 
summer months, very few vessels making the long trip south for mack- 
erel in the spring. 
Sword-fish.—The season for taking this species is usually from 
July 1 to August 15. Owing to the long distance to the fishing 
grounds, only large vessels, carrying crews of 6 to 10 men, are 
employed in the fishery. The vessels are mostly engaged in trawling 
during the remainder of the year. Compared with 1898 the catch of 
sword-fish in 1902 decreased 235,506 pounds in quantity, and increased 
218 in value. 
Alewives.—Several of the towns in Maine own alewife privileges, 
which, during favorable seasons, prove quite remunerative. In some 
