This panel’s foreground depicts children working in the sardine industry. Beginning in 1875, entire families worked together in the canneries for “the season,” lasting from April to December. The fish canneries were located along the Maine coast and drew workers from surrounding towns. August launched the busy season. Boats loaded with herring arrived early each morning. Work in the busy season extended from dawn to well into the night. In 1907, Maine’s Department of Labor reported that children could come and go from the work place as they wished, but many children worked long hours. While workers received decent wages, their income depended on "the catch." The more fish, the more work. Companies paid workers by the piece, whether that meant gutting an endless pile of fish to fill a box or packing a can of processed sardines.
