Clams were an important resource to the Passamaquoddy and remain an important partof the regional commercial fisheries economy and a local food source . Bar Harbor , now a well-traveled tourism destination , was an important shellfish-gathering location . The nameBar Harbor is an anglicization of the “ clam-gathering place ” in Passamaquoddy .
Downeast Maine became a global supplier of seafood for European countries and the slave trade – beginning with Cod . This once abundant groundfish attracted Europeans to settle the eastern seaboard of the North American continent . In the early 1600s , European explorers such as Captain John Smith , Samuel de Champlain , George Weymouth , and John Brereton reported on the abundance of codfish and other finfish species . New World cod populations presented an economic bonanza for European fish merchants who searched the world for fish species to replace those already fished out in Europe .
A century ago , Eastport was called “ sardine capital of America ,” one of the busiest ports in the US . Pickled river herring were shipped to Boston , New York , and the Caribbean . Wesley Raye began making mustard for tinned sardines , or herring , over 120 years ago . Maine sardines fed many American soldiers during the world wars . Approximately 75 canneries processed herring until 2010 , when the last sardine factory , Stinson Seafood in Prospect Harbor closed . By then , the last commercial operation that smoked rather than canned sardines , the McCurdy Smokehouse in Lubec , had been shut down for nearly two decades . Herring has also long been used as bait by many fishermen . Lobstermen today still rely on herring and other fish for bait .
Clams were also commercially valued as bait aboard schooners in both the inshore and offshore salt-cod fishery of the nineteenth and early twentieth century . The fresh clam industry became important during the Civil War in the form of clams shipped to Boston , fried , and sent to troops . As tourism increased , steamed clams became popular for clambakes and “ shore dinners ” and are still a local delicacy of choice to many visitors .
Sardine Boats , Eastport - Pickled river herring were shipped to Boston , New York , and the Caribbean . Maine sardines fed many American soldiers during the world wars . Approximately 75 canneries processed herring until 2010 , when the last sardine factory , Stinson Seafood in Prospect Harbor closed . Photo courtesy of NOAA .
Technological innovations in preserving clams allowed for long-distance transport by boat and rail . In 1880 a canning plant was built in Jonesport to preserve sardines , clams , lobsters , and
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