3^' 



(b) In Steenbergs Cove and district north of Jacobs Rock 

 about 90 per cent, of the fish are females, from the middle of 

 December to the first week of February, and 99 per cent, of 

 these are in berry (compare experimental hauls at Table Bay). 

 From about the middle of February to early in July about 

 80 per cent, are mature males, the rest being small males 

 of 3 to 4 inches. The mature males are more than 4 inches. 

 From the middle of July to early in September, females and 

 small males are found. This appears to be the season when 

 females and the small fish are casting their shell, large quan- 

 tities of empty shells being cast up on the beach there. From 

 the middle of September to early in December, the fish are all 

 large males. Thus in one week, of 192,000 fish, 90 per cent, 

 were more than 5 inches in length. They may grow to 8 

 inches. This is the best season north of Jacobs Rock. In 

 December, as the males cast their shell, they go off into deeper 

 water, and return in February. In tabular form, these facts 

 may be stated as follows : — 



Middle of December to early in Females, 99 per cent, in berry. 



February. (Males casting shell in 



deeper water.) 



Middle of February to early in Males, 80 per cent, mature 



July. (over 4 inches). 



Middle of July to early in Females and small males 



September. (casting shell). 



Middle of September to early Males, 90 per cent, over 5 



in December. inches. 



Over two million fish were used in two factories last year. 

 If the size limit proposed, (>i 4^ inches, is imposed, no females 

 at all would be caught. In deeper water you get only large 

 fish, in shallow water you are more likely to get small fish. At 

 St. Martin's Point, fish measuring 8 inches are got, not five per 

 cent, being less than 5 inches. 



(c) Four inches would protect females, at 3|- inches you 

 protect females without eggs. " Your close season protects the 

 Crawfish. If you come with the best bait they will not bite. 

 We believe the close seasons, as now arranged, are very good 

 indeed. The fish protect themselves." Hout Bay is at least 

 one month in advance of Cape Town. Crawfish are not on a 

 limited bank ; there are pockets of them. When the north- 

 west wind blew at an unusual time, you would see the beach at 

 Mouille Point covered with crawfish knocked against the rocks, 

 because they are sick and are changing their shell. When the 

 south-easters blow, they take shelter round Robben Island. 

 The fish have not become scarcer. Formerly they fished with 



