Fishing Weir in Penobscot Bay 1

Fishing Weir in Penobscot Bay 1

From the air, a fishing weir built into the harbor makes a symetrical shape in the waters by an island in Penobscot Bay.

A weir is a large trap for fish made by building a fence-like structure on the ocean floor that rises up to the waterline at high tide.  Fish are guided by a straight fence that leads them to a small opening in a circular enclosure, where they are trapped, then pulled out with nets. Weirs have been used for thousands of years in Maine to catch fish. 

When Photographer Eliot Elisofon was not traveling the world taking photos for LIFE Magazine, he came to Vinalhaven, Maine to rest and recoup. Eliot bought a farmhouse near Crockett Cove on Vinalhaven in 1941, built by Joel and Mary Jane Philbrook in 1843.
Daughter Elin writes, “My father always said his favorite place on earth was Vinalhaven and he meant it. Wherever he was, he was counting the days until he could return to the island. Here he would 'recharge his batteries' from grueling trips to Africa, Asia, the Pacific, or from battles with the publishers and editors he had to constantly prod into sharing his passion and understanding his vision. In Vinalhaven he could relax, soak up the beauty of the place, plant trees, flowers, and vegetables, paint in his studio, cook, and develop the lifelong friendships he treasured."
Elisofon, Elin. FEAST. (Vinalhaven, Maine: April, 1992)
These images are personal photographs taken by Eliot Elisofon on Vinalhaven and were not published during his lifetime.