ABOUT LOBSTERS 73 



5. Ill fishing lobsters only, adopt a small creel; 

 when working crabs, a somewhat larger creel. 



6. For an all-purpose compromise creel, an internal 

 diameter of 5%" is suggested for the inner ring of the 

 head, which should be fitted with a non-escape shutter. 

 The latter should be regularly checked to ensure free 

 action. 



7. A smaller open eye (4j/>") is preferable for lob- 

 ster fishing in sheltered waters with a moderately well 

 fished stock and daily hauling. 



8. A shuttered eye is recommended where hauling 

 is irregular. 



9. 5*4 " shuttered eye is indicated for lobster fish- 

 ing on exposed coasts where the stock is not much ex- 

 ploited, and for mixed lobster and crab fishing. 



10. 5 J / 2 " open eye is suitable for crab fishing where 

 hauling is regular daily ( a non-escape shutter should be 

 fitted where lobsters are likely to be caught in any small 

 number ) . 



11. In shallow water, when lobster fishing from 

 small boats, use single creels, siting each creel. 



12. In deeper water such as fished from larger 

 boats, and during winter and bad weather by small 

 boats, use creels in a trawl. The number of creels per 

 trawl should be matched to the local bottom conditions. 

 On patchy and rough bottoms short trawls of up to 10 

 creels are best. On uniformly good and even bottoms 

 longer trawls of up to 50 creels are suitable. 



13. Adapt the methods to the prevailing condi- 

 tions. There is no one style of fishing or gear which 

 will prove the best under all circumstances. The gear 

 should be chosen to suit the style of fishing (lobsters 

 and/or crabs, size of boat, nature of the bottom, ex- 

 posure, etc.). Within these broad limits, detail should 

 be varied to suit the season and the prevailing weather 

 conditions. 11 



11 Thomas, op. cit. 



