THE PKOTEOTION OF CKABS AND LOBSTEHS. 187 



It must not, however, be forgotten that according to the evidence given 

 in the North-Eastern District, the immediate effect of such limits 

 would be, in certain places, at any rate, to entirely stop the fishing, and 

 it would be several years before any very great benefit could follow 

 from the fact that more of the crabs had been allowed to breed. On 

 the other hand, if the limit could be raised gradually, the beneficial 

 effect might be slowly brought about without entailing any sudden 

 hardship upon individuals. This might be done by adopting the re- 

 commendation of Mr. Wilson, viz., a limit of five inches for crabs, 

 and by raising the limit for lobsters to, say, nine inches. It is more 

 than probable that if these limits were maintained for a few years, 

 sufficient improvement in size would have taken place to allow of their 

 being raised to the more reasonable standard without serious injury to 

 any individuals. 



