36 



III.— THE CAPE CRAWFISH AND CRAWFISH 

 INDUSTRY {continued). 



Since the last account of this subject (Marine Biological 

 Report No. i), the Fishery Board, at the request of the Ad- 

 ministrator, have taken the matter up and have examined a 

 number of witnesses representing both the interests of the 

 canners and of the native fishermen. In the course of the 

 enquiry, additional information has been obtained, some of 

 which it is desirable to put on record. All the evidence pointed 

 to the immediate necessity of adequate legislative measures 

 for the safeguarding of the industry, and the size limit is now 

 raised from three to four inches, four months' close season is 

 imposed, and females in berry are protected — the only excep- 

 tion to the size limit being a concession to the native fishermen 

 in the case of crawfish taken solely for the purposes of bait. It 

 became apparent during the course of the enquiry that a good 

 deal of information was still desirable with regard to the times 

 of spawning, the possible migration of the fish from one part 

 of the coast to another, the alleged difference in the spawning 

 season at different parts of the coast, the size at which crawfish 

 become mature, at what times and in what places the males 

 and females were to be found, etc. 



The experimental hauls of crawfish have been continued, 

 and we have now a record of such hauls for a complete year, 

 made in Table Bay off the Woodstock Beach. These additional 

 observations are given here, and a summary for the whole 

 year prepared, so that it is seen at a glance how the crawfish 

 vary in number and kind (young or old, male or female) at 

 this locality. They throw some light on the above questions. 



A series of tow-nettings has also been completed for the year, 

 and the larvae {Phyllosomas) of the crawfish have been noted 

 in each. 



A later stage, the " puerulus " or " natant " stage of the 

 crawfish, has been found and some preliminary notes on this 

 are added. 



The experimental rearing of crawfish has been continued at 

 the Marine Station at St. James. In this connection, it is of 

 interest to learn that the Japanese, who have a valuable 

 crawfish industry of their own, have for some time been 

 experimenting in the same direction. 



