Herring Weir in Eastport, Maine

Herring Weir in Eastport, Maine

Sardines, or herring, were a big industry in Maine and the traditional way of catching them was to use weirs. This type is called the American or Canadian weir and these were common along the frontier waters of Passamaquoddy Bay. This photo of O.H. Brown's $4000 weir was taken around 1925. The weir was located in Johnson's Cove in Eastport, Maine. Mr. Brown, a local news dealer had not gathered up enough herring that season to cover his expenses.