39 



two men in a boat, and had seven nets. To-day they go out 

 with a motor-boat, and when fish are biting well, 6,000 crawfish 

 can be caught in three or four hours. This has been experienced 

 in Table Bay, Robben Island and Kommetje. They do not 

 fish between Mouille Point and Oude Kraal. Perhaps the 

 sewer has something to do with the disappearance of fish there. 



{d) There is no objection to a close season in May and June ; 

 the fish are scarce. There are other fishing grounds that have 

 not been touched in deeper water. The males are in deeper 

 water at this time, in about 20 to 25 fathoms, nearer Dassen 

 Island. In the beginning of October, males come into shallow 

 water. Crawfish are found in False Bay, but one does not 

 know where the bank is. 



(e) There seems to be no diminution in the supply. In 

 1910 two boats landed 83,300 or 41,650 per boat. In 

 igii four boats landed 580,000, or 145,000 per boat. 

 In 1912 seven boats landed 1,247,400, or 178,200 per boat. 

 In 1913 nine boats landed 1,834,760, or 203,862 per boat. 

 This last was for one month less in the year. From May 20th 

 to about June 15th, there are a great many small or female 

 fish, and this should be a close season. The total catch of 

 Crawfish in the Colony is about 12 million for the season. 

 Between May 15th and June 15th, when the small fish are 

 caught, ought to be a close season. Good fish could be caught 

 further out in deeper water, say, of 20 fathoms, but fishing 

 here is difficult if there is any current. 



(/) Crawfish seem to have diminished in size in recent years. 

 It is seldom that very large crawfish are now caught unless we 

 go further afield. Robben Island is the breeding ground foi 

 small fish. In the month of May I calculate that 1,600,000 

 small fish are caught. Fishing in Table Bay is not so good 

 as it was. 



Mr. Hickson furnished the following abstract from his 

 diary : — 



February. — Fish from Hout Bay on 17th February : 6 

 rotten and diseased fish ; some small fish with inside roe. 

 Yellow fish and no class. 



March. — Large male fish ; on 31st March noticed small fish 

 and 5 per cent, females. 



April. — Some days very large fish, and others mixed lots • 

 about 5 per cent, females. 



May 1st to ^th. — Very large fish ; males. 



May 6ih. — Medium ; females. 



May 14th to 31st. — Small fish ; females predominate. 



June 2yd. — Fairly large fish ; females less. 



[C.P. 6-'i4.] 



