EFFECT OF TRAWLING ON CRABS. 41 



like Alciope and Tomopteris, the latter being one of the most 

 striking features of the tow-nets, both inshore and offshore, 

 and frequently in great abundance. Moreover, like the masses 

 of Sagitta, it is eaten by many food-fishes, and is another 

 evidence that the question is viewed only from one side, when 

 all the wealth of the pelagic fauna and flora, especially the 

 multitudes that are independent of any particular inshore area, 

 or of any land at all, is overlooked. 



In 1884, after a careful and extensive inquiry, the effect of 

 the trawl on the crab-tribe or crustaceans was given as follows : — 

 ' Like the star-fishes, the crustaceans are evidently damaged 

 less by the effects of the trawl than by the feet of the men in 

 gathering the fishes.'../ Many hermit-crabs, sea-acorns {Balani), 

 and GalathecB are returned to the sea alive. No injury to soft 

 crabs was observed, and even so slender a form as the northern 

 stone-crab, besides others, have been brought on deck in good 

 condition \' The most prominent form referred to was the 

 Norway lobster, which occurs in great numbers off the Forth, 

 and a caution was given that care should be taken to return it 

 to the sea alive, for it is chiefly injured on deck, in selecting 

 the fishes. This is a very important element in the diet of 

 the cod in the neighbourhood, and every measure should be 

 taken for its preservation. The muscular parts of the abdomen 

 form excellent food, but they are seldom brought to market. 

 After hatching, under the abdomen of the female, the young of 

 this lobster is pelagic, and is often found in masses amongst 

 jelly-fishes off the Isle of May, forming a rich nourishment for 

 the smaller fishes. Not a single lobster was observed in the 

 trawl, and only from the inshore grounds, north of Aberdeen, 

 were a few edible crabs obtained. The condition of the lobster- 

 and crab-fisheries near St Andrews, Dunbar and elsewhere has 

 improved within recent years, but how far this is due to the 

 security from molestation which the crab-traps now have, and 

 which has caused an increase in their number, or to other 

 circumstances, is unknown. Taken generally, however, in 

 Scotland, and so far as the statistics go, it is seen that there is 

 a decrease in the quinquennial period 1888-1892 of 107, 840 



1 Op. cit., p. 370. 



