256 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF FISHERIES. 
Menhaden.—This species was not abundant along the coast of Maine 
in 1902, and the menhaden factories of the state were not operated, 
except for utilizing a few fish in the preparation of oil and fertilizer 
at Boothbay Harbor, in Lincoln County. The remainder of the catch, 
both fresh and salted, was sold by the fishermen for bait. 
Lobsters.—The lobster catch of this state has increased from 11,183,- 
294 pounds, valued at $992,855, in 1898, to 12,163,389 pounds, valued 
at $1,066,407, in 1902. There was also a small increase in the quantity 
of apparatus employed. The laws of the state do not restrict the 
catching of lobsters to any time in the year, but in some localities the 
fishermen have agreed among themselves upon a close season during 
the spring and summer, and thus far the effect upon the fishery has 
been favorable. Lobsters are taken in both the vessel and shore 
fisheries, but principally in the latter. In Lincoln County, however, 
a large number of small vessels fish for lobsters when not engaged in 
line-fishing. With the exception of a few lobsters caught in hoop 
nets in York County, the entire catch is taken in pots. 
Clams.—The catch of clams shows a decided falling off since 1898, 
and in view of this the state has enacted protective laws applying to 
the localities where the decline has been greatest. Owing to the 
increasing number of clam canneries the demand for clams is steadily 
gerowing. The greater part of the catch is sold fresh, both in the 
shell and opened, and the remainder is opened and salted for use as 
bait in the line-fisheries. 
Oysters.—A few oysters are found in the Sheepscot River near 
Sheepscot, but they have never occurred in sufficient quantities to jus- 
tify making a business of catching them, although it is said that they 
have recently been increasing in number. 
Livers.—The saving of livers sometimes proves quite remunerative 
to the line fishermen. In the vessel fisheries the livers from cod and 
other species are sometimes saved by the cook or other members of 
the crew of the vessel, the captain and owner, as a rule, not sharing 
in the proceeds of their sale. It is estimated that on an average a 
thousand pounds of fresh fish taken on lines will produce 75 pounds 
of livers. The livers are valuable for their oil, which is used for 
lubricating machinery, mixing paint, etc. A considerable quantity of 
the oil from cod livers, when refined, is used for medicinal purposes. 
Markets.—There are a number of localities on the coast of Maine 
at which the fishermen dispose of their catch, but Portland is the prin- 
cipal market for both fish and lobsters. Many of the firms in the lob- 
ster trade own or charter steam and sail vessels which are sent along 
the coast of the state to buy lobsters and bring them to Portland for 
shipment. Several of the firms also own lobster pounds at various 
places, in which small lobsters are kept until they grow to marketable 
size and large ones are held for better prices. These pounds cost from 
