78 FISHING INDUSTRY OF PLYMOUTH. 



before observed, the method of fishing by means of long 

 lines (bulters) is not favorable to tlie use of soft baits like 

 mussels ; but it would appear that, for hand-line fishing in 

 this district, fisli and worms are more extensively used for 

 bait than mussels. 



Pecten. — Pecten and mussels may perliaps be considered 

 to be fairly equally in demand. The former is considered to 

 be a very fragile bait, but there is a good supply of it. 



Condition of Fishery. — The condition of this fishery is, as far 

 as I can learn, good. Excellent and large fish are caught plen- 

 tifully on the whiting ground, which is the chief fishery. 



7. Eel-spearing. 



Eel- spearing is carried on in the mud of the Tamar in the 

 early part of the year. 



The eels {AnguiUa vulgaris) come down the river to spawn 

 in the harbour about August, and they hibernate about Christ- 

 mas in the mud of the estuai-ies. There are, however, eels in 

 the harbour which do not migrate and do not hibernate, and 

 they are reputed to be the best and finest tasted (No. 3 a). 



8. Mulletries. 



Some time ago several mill ponds communicating with the 

 Hamoaze by means of gates were utilised as mulletries I 

 am informed. The mullet {Miigil capita) were allowed to 

 enter the ponds with the tide, and the gates were then 

 closed and the fish caught with seines. 



A pond, " The Mulletry," situated at Weston-Mill Lake, 

 beyond Keyham, which is entirely cut off from the Hamoaze 

 except by a sluice, has more recently been used for storing 

 mullet ; the fish being caught in the Hamoaze with a seine 

 and placed in the pond until required for market. 



Now, however, neither the mill ponds nor " The Mulletry " 

 at Weston-Mill Lake are used commercially as fish ponds. 



9. Oral) and Lobster Fishing. 

 Ground. — Crab (^Cancer pagurus) and lobster [Komarus 

 vulgaris) fishing is carried on eveiywhere along the coast, 

 mostly perhaps about Start Point. Off the Lizard there are 

 one or two small steam launches engaged in this fishing. 



