ABOUT LOBSTERS 69 



found to affect the ease of escape and a high rigged eye 

 has been shown to be the more efficient, particularly 

 with smaller lobsters and crabs which find it less easy 

 to escape. This had the result that the average size of 

 lobster and crab landed was less in the case of the high 

 rig than the low rig. However, this was offset by the 

 greater numbers of lobsters and crabs. It is reasonable 

 to assume that the effect would become more marked 

 as the interval between haulings increases. 



The necessity for a larger eye for crabs as opposed 

 to lobster fishing has already been mentioned. This ap- 

 plies also to the fishery for spiny lobsters, and accounts 

 for the very much wider eye diameter ( about 10" ) used 

 in the French pot. These traps are normally hauled 

 every few hours and are less efficient if employed in the 

 manner usually adopted with creels. It is this type of 

 circumstance, dependent upon local custom, which ac- 

 counts for the disappointing results some fishermen 

 have obtained when using gear with which they are un- 

 familiar and which may not be suitable to the particular 

 nature of their fishery. 



In some areas where large creels are used in the 

 crab fishery the heads are located in each end of the 

 creel as opposed to the normal position in the sides. 

 They are also made short, the argument being that the 

 end heads facilitate entry into the creel. This is satis- 

 factory for crabs although not for lobsters. The latter, 

 being longer, can reach the bait, which is in line with 

 the eye, without fully entering the creel. 



Because of the ease with which lobsters and crabs 

 escape through an open eye, fishermen have developed 

 a number of ways of impeding exit. These, however, 

 must also to some extent hinder entry. The balance be- 

 tween these factors is largely determined by other fish- 

 ing conditions. The eye of the Cornish pot is protected 

 by three, or sometimes two, skewers which are forced 

 through the basket work of the eye so as to project 

 downwards and inwards towards the centre. The 



