36 



Before leaving this consideration of the statistical value of 

 the lobster fisheries of the various Committees, it ought to be 

 mentioned that not very long ago the most lobsters were landed 

 in the North Eastern district. It is important to remember also 

 that from 1899 in Northumberland the size limit has been 9 in., 

 and the berried lobster has been protected during the months 

 April to July. From 1896 in the North Eastern district the size 

 limit has also been 9 in., and there is a close time for lobsters 

 from 1st September to 1st February. In the Eastern district 

 and in the Kent and Essex district the size limit remains at 

 8 in., but the berried lol^ster is altogether protected. The 

 improvement shown in the catches of the Northumberland 

 fishermen took jolace after the passing of the bye-law. As has 

 been pointed out in previous reports, it was in 1904, five years 

 after the protection w^as commenced, that Northumberland 

 advanced into the first position, and the improvement then 

 shown has been maintained. This point will be referred to 

 again when the conclusions of the Board are brought under 

 review. 



The statistics of the landings for each month on each of the 

 coasts are next considered. On the east coast the catches are 

 principally made in the months April to June. This agrees 

 with w^hat has been stated before for Nortlfumberland. Here 

 the height of the season is reached in j\Iay, and extends from 

 March to July mainly, but as may be expected it varies with the 

 season. On the south and west coasts the principal catches are 

 not confined so sharply to a limited period, the season extending 

 from April to September. The season, however, is largely 

 determined by the incidence of other kinds of fishing, and also 

 winter, when lobster fishing practically ceases, not, as is 

 suggested, from the bad weather and the sluggish condition of 

 the lobsters, but because during that period the traps are placed 

 in deeper water where they are safer, and it is only rarely, and 

 at great risk of loss of gear, that they are placed in situations 

 favourable to the catching of lobsters. 



From this analysis of the fishing for lobsters during the 

 year, it is at once ajoparent that the close time of the North 

 Eastern district is at the wrong period of the year, and at any 

 rate the statistics show that it is without value. 



