256 EEPOKT 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 1992,855, in 1898, to 12,163,389 pounds, valued 

 at $1,006,407, in 1902. There Avas also a small increase in the quantity 

 of apparatus emploj-ed. 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 Count}", 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 

 growing. 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 03"sters are found in the Sheepscot River near 

 Sheepscot, but the}" 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. 



MarJiets. — 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 



