724 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



these cases are themselves conscious of the loss which they are themselves producing. But with- 

 out the aid of Parliament they are unable to enforce the regulations which in their judgment 

 would restore the fishery. 



"As regards the lobster fishery, three suggestions have been made to us for its improvement, 

 viz: the institution of a gauge; the enactment of a close season; and the prohibition of the sale 

 of berried lobsters; but the suggestion which has fotiud most universal favor is the institution of 

 a gauge. In Cornwall and Devonshire, in Yorkshire and Northumberland, the fishermen have 

 almost without exception suggested that no lobster should be sold under a length of about 8 

 inches. The same recommendation was made to us by (he great fish merchants who are estab- 

 lished at Hamble, and by the great salesmen in Billingsgate Market. * * * On the northeast 

 coast of England it was suggested to us that no lobster should be taken under 4 inches in the 

 barrel (carapax). In the rest tf England the almost unanimous recommendation was that no 

 lobster should be taken under 8 inches in length. These two recommendations are practically 

 very similar. A lobster 4 inches long in the barrel is usually more than 8 inches in length ; but, 

 as it is always undesirable to interfere with local customs, we see no reason why both gauges 

 should not be inserted in any act of Parliament that may be passed. It would then be illegal to 

 sell any lobster which did not measure either 8 inches in length or 4 inches in the barrel. 



" If the gauge be adopted, it is in our judgment essential that it should apply to all the fish 

 markets. The only practicable means of enforcing a gauge is to enforce it in the markets, and 

 the g;mge must therefore apply to all lobsters sold in those markets, wherever they may be taken. 

 The only practical difficulty in enforcing the gauge arises from the large importation of Norwegian 

 lobsters, and we think it would be unwise to attempt any legislation without 'considering the 

 effect which it might have on this trade. * * * 



"It will be seen from the foregoing remarks that -an 8-inch gauge has already been proposed 

 in Norway. Of the two merchants engaged in the Norway trade, whom we had the advantage of 

 examining, Mr. Fisher, of Billingsgate, was of opinion that an 8-inch gauge would interfere with 

 the Norwegian fishery, but that a 7^-inch gauge would be desirable. Captain Harnden, of Ham- 

 ble, on the contrary, concluded that an 8 inch gauge would ultimately be beneficial to it. With 

 Captain Harnden's evidence before us, we think that Parliament may fairly enact that, with one 

 exception, no lobster shall in future be sold in this country under 8 inches in length. 



"The exception which, we fear, must be made to this rule applies to Bognor. Lobsters of a 

 very small size are taken in large numbers off Bognor, and the application of an 8 inch gauge to 

 Bognor would destroy the fishery for lobsters at that place. The fishermen at Bognor desire the 

 institution of a 6J-inch gauge; we have, 'ourselves, little doubt that a 7-mch gauge would be 

 large enough for the Bognor fishery. If, however, the Bognor fishermen are allowed to take 

 7-inch lobsters, their sale should be confined within the limits of the county of Sussex. * * * 



"Two other recommendations have in some places been made to us for the improvement of 

 the lobster fishery. It has been suggested to us that a close season should be instituted, and it 

 has also been suggested that the sale of berried lobsters should be prohibited. A universal close 

 season is impracticable, because the season which would suit one part of the coast would be quite 

 inapplicable to other parts. In a great many places the storms of winter afford by themselves a 

 sufficient close season. On the coast of Cornwall, again, the pilchard fishery practically entails 

 & close season. * * * On the east coast of England, again, the herring season affords a nat- 

 ural close time. * * * A close season is, then, for all intents and purposes, already established 

 in some places. In others, no close season is necessary, on account of the extent and situation of 

 the fishery. No universal close season need, therefore, be imposed by act of Parliament. * * 



