up to c;n o.ge of 11 nonths at the sane tine. The grovirfch is r.bout 

 the same as v/ith us, perhaps sonev/hat larger. In this experinent 

 it appeared that the moulting was practically liinited, to the tine 

 vrhen the tciimerature was above 10 degrees Co (Vfo C, Snith: 1- Lobster 

 Rearing Experinent contributing sone Addi tion to Kn o^; ;ledge of the 

 Early Life History of Ho:riarus Vulgaris')'. 



Ibid, chapter "Lobster Cultvire", p. 41. 



Vfith regard to the question whether it X^ necessary - or de- 

 sirable - to protect or increase the lobster population, there are 

 nnny tilings to take into consideration* First and forenost is 

 whether the lobster is our o\m - or whetlier we have to share it mth 

 other nations. Whether the population is dense enough along ovr 

 coast or whet?ier this can house more lobsters. And vi^iether we have 

 the adequate neans to regulate the population. The possibilities 

 of sale are usually relatively good for the lobster, - we do not 

 have to fear over -productions 



The question whether the lobster is ours - or whether .we have 

 to share it vdth other nations - is clear in. this ..case; the lobster, 

 large and snr.ll, v/hich is to be found along the Norv/egian coast, 

 belongs to us. YJe night even say that each district has its avm 

 population. 



The second question, \7hether our coast has an adequate populat- 

 ion or v/hcthcr it reasonably can house nore lobsters under such 

 conditions thrt they thrive and gmvj-, can -only be answered, at a 

 rough estii.iate. It is obvious that the density of lobster nust have 

 been nuch larger about 100 years ago than it is nov;, A larger huix.n 

 population, nore tools, good vessels with notors have certainly nulti- 

 plied the intensity- of --the fishery r« v/hile the profit has not been 

 multiplied even if vre include the extra-ordiharily large catch of 

 lobster. during the last yearso Even if it is inpossible to give quite 

 dependable figures with regard to the lobster population at an 

 earlier time and now, there is no doubt that the population earlier 

 was much denser along our. .coast and t?iat it could be nuch denser 

 than it is now. This might be said even if v/e count on the relatively 

 dense population v.-e have had the last few years, Ite have both space 

 and food enough. 



Wc' must not depend too much upon the increase during the last 

 fci7 years, We nay alvrays get such rich years, even if the populat- 

 ion is snails A single lobster hatches so nanjr young that it is 

 possible for only a fev.' spawn loljsters to produce young enough for 

 a large population, if nore young lobsters than nornally grow upo 

 But this happens very seldon. The norma.l condition, is and nust be, 

 that of the thousands of eggs which a female lobster hatches, only 

 a f evj- reach puberty; and it is the steady, annual profit which 



90 



