COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 65 



its larger size eliminates many of its enemies. It is therefore very 

 evident that protection should be given the young lobsters until 

 they are at least eight inches in length. The usual short lobster 

 law is based upon the principle that the lobster should he protected 

 until it becomes mature and bears one lot of eggs. In the light of 

 our present knowledge this is not as valuable at it seems. Many 

 lobsters do not become mature until 10^ inches in length and the 

 majority of the short lobster laws place the length at 9 inches. 

 Furthermore, as has been shown, the first lot of eggs is relatively 

 so few in comparison with later lots and their offspring frequently 

 so much less vigorous that the first egg-laying is of very minor im- 

 portance. 



DOUBLE GAUGE LAW. 



Your Commission would therefore recommend that it be made illegal 

 to possess lobsters less than 8 inches in length (3f inches body measure- 

 ment) and greater than 13 inches (5f- inches body measurement) . 



To sum up the reasons for this recommendation it may be said that 



1. Lobsters under 8 inches in length need protection because 

 up to this size their natural enemies are numerous and frequent 

 molting renders the lobster more susceptible to them. 



2. Lobsters between the limits (8 inches to 13 inches) are most 

 desirable for market. 



3. Not more than one-half of the female lobsters are bearing eggs 

 at any one time. In order to save the breeders it is therefore neces- 

 sary that more protection should be afforded than merely saving 

 those which are bearing eggs. This would be accomplished by our 

 double gauge law because all large lobsters (the most valuable 

 breeders) are saved. 



4. The number of eggs laid by the lobsters which are above the 

 large limit is proportionately so great that it is extremely desirable 

 to save these lobsters for breeding purposes 



5. It would be quite easy to enforce the large size limit because 

 the lobstermen could be required to have entrance rings in their 



