meager amount of one cent a lobster. Illegal fishing was unheard of at the time. It was in the 50’s and 60’s that undersized lobsters became a problem. With Fisheries patrol boats not so fast and having little or no detection equipment, undersized lobsters were bagged, crated, and stashed to shore, where they would be retrieved at night. They were then taken to private homes, where they were cooked, shelled, and canned. It was

referred to as the poaching era of all times. There were many illegal canneries in the district, or they would

be delivered to a cannery that handled illegal fish. it was no secret of their being in the district or of the lobsters being taken to the woods for cooking and shelling of the meat. It was described by some fishermen as a vicious circle that was difficult

to curtail. In later years with faster patrol boats and more up—to—date

equipment provided by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, illegal activities changed from undersize lobsters to fishing of extra gear. With the help of loran electronic equipment, the extra gear can be set anywhere without markers, ranges or buoys and picked up at anytime during the seasons. Or it can be left in the water over winter and picked up in the spring. Fishermen themselves in late years have started to police their own interests and support the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, in protecting their livelihood.

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