XVI 



as berried lobsters are concerned, we are unable to endorse ^this 

 proposal. In the first place, if it were made illegal to take 

 berried lobsters, it would not in many cases pay the fishermen 

 to pursue the lobster fishery. In the next place, the lobster 

 when berried is in the very best possible condition as food, and 

 it would be as illogical, therefore, to prohibit its capture as to 

 prohibit the taking of herrings with roe in them. But the case 

 of berried crabs is different. The berried lobster is the most 

 valuable of lobsters ; a berried crab is almost worthless. It would 

 be impolitic to enact that no berried lobster should be sold, but 

 there would be no difficulty in enacting that no berried crab 

 should be sold or exposed for sale. 

 Recapitulation. j n terminating this Report we desire to state the conclusions 

 at which we have arrived with regard to the crab and lobster 

 fisheries in Scotland. These are : — 



First. That the said fisheries have on the whole fallen off during 

 the last 30 years, and that there is every probability that they 

 will continue to decrease unless some steps are taken to restore 

 them. 



Second. That the causes of this decrease are twofold, first, over- 

 fishing ; and, second, taking undersized crabs and lobsters. 



Third. We therefore recommend : — 



I. It should be illegal to buy, sell, or offer or expose for sale, 

 or have in possession for sale : — 



(1.) Lobsters under either 8 inches in total length or 4 



inches in the barrel. 

 (2.) Crabs under 5 inches across the greatest length of 



the back. 

 (3.) Soft crabs. 

 (4.) Crabs with berries under the apron. 



II. The Secretary of State should have power to institute, 

 after inquiry, local close seasons for crabs and lobsters in 

 any counties or parts of counties. 



All of which we submit for the consideration of the Secretary 

 of State. 



We have the honour to be, 

 Sir ?> 

 Your obedient servants, 



Frank Buckland. 

 S. Walpole. 

 Archibald Foung. 

 The Right Hon. the Secretary of State, 

 Home Office. 



