B8 



for the settling of mussel spat, which grows, although slowly, 

 to a size big enough for bait purposes. Mussels of larger size 

 are to be found on the Oyster Scaup, the best area in this district 

 for the rapid growth of . mussels. During the winter 1914-15 

 almost the whole of the mussels used for bait were obtained from 

 a salt water channel called the Burn, which runs round the Snook, 

 by the Lifeboat House, into the sea. The mussels here are of 

 good size, and some got from the centre of the channel were three 

 inches in length. Here also are quantities of young mussels along 

 the landward side of the channel, but these being nearer high 

 water mark are slower of growth and would be improved by being 

 transplanted and put into or nearer the channel as it exists at 

 low water. In the Hen Pool and at Black Law Point are quantities 

 of young mussels which only need transplanting to the Oyster 

 Scaup to become of a good size for bait. This is done by some 

 of the fishermen, but the majority are content with the mussels 

 found on Fenham Flats or in the vicinity of the Snook. 



From St. Cuthbert's Island to the Snook, from the edge of 

 the Burn almost to high water mark, Arenicola is to be found 

 in very large quantities. It is also plentiful in the Ooze and the 

 small bay near the Castle, and some are to be obtained between 

 the Snook and the Lifel^oat House at the western corner of the 

 island. From the Snook to Emmanuel Head few lugworms are 

 to be found, but elsewhere there is an abundance, and far more 

 than is required. 



Nereis virens, locally known as " Hairy Mary," is got at low 

 water from the muddy sand overlying rocks in the bay near the 

 Castle, and also from the eastern part of the Ooze. 



Limpets are common on the rocks between the Castle and 

 Emmanuel Head, and also between the latter point and the Snook. 

 They are not used as a rule for bait, except in January and February, 

 and then only in small numbers. 



As a fishing station Holy Island suffers from a lack of facihties 

 for the marketing of the fish caught. Everything has to be carted 

 to the mainland, and this considerably lessens the value of the 

 catch. 



