Has seen lobsters all sizes. They are just the same in size and numbers as lobsters. 

 they used to be. Has no other recommendation to make. jVb decrease 



James Pawlyn (examined by Mr. Walpole). Is a fish merchant at Mevagissey. 

 Has been 10 or 12 years in business. Deals in crabs and lobsters with the 

 Gorran men, and along the coast. There are six boats at Fowey. One at Boats. 

 Polkerris, one at Par, three at Charlestown, two at Porthpean ; two principal 

 crabbers and three others at Mevagissey. 24 at Gorran, 24 at Port Looe, 

 one at Port Holland, about five or six at Porthscatho. 



Ten years ago the highest price for crabs of 8 inches and over was 9d. CRABS. 

 Under 8 inches two counted for one. Those under 6* inches went for " shes " p ricCt 

 and the price was \\d. each. 



Lobsters under 11 inches sold for 9d., below that size two went for one. Now LOBSTERS, 

 the highest price for crabs of 8 inches is Is. 3c?. Under 8 inches two count Price. 

 for one. Under 6 inches they go for " shes," and sell at 2\d. each. The 

 Gorran crabs fetch the highest price. The ground there is more rocky and 

 better than elsewhere in the neighbourhood. The best fish are caught from 

 January to May. The price has increased about one half. 



He gets fewer big crabs than he did 10 years ago and fewer lobsters. The ■ Decrcase - 

 size of the lobsters remains about the same. Has the whole take of some men 

 whose take he had 10 years ago. These men do not fish less, but fish harder 

 than they did. They have more craft and positively take fewer fish. The 

 seasons vary, but the produce is falling off. Attributes the falling off to the 

 small crabs being taken. The small crabs areas numerous as ever; but the 

 price of small crabs has risen through the increased demand and the deficient 

 supply of large crabs. People now buy small crabs where they used to buy C RAB S, 

 a big one. Sends his crabs and lobsters everywhere, to Birmingham, Bristol, 

 Gloucester, &c. Proposes to prohibit the capture of all he crabs under 6| Gauge. 

 inches, and of all " shes " under b\ inches. She crabs are good when smaller 

 than he crabs. He crabs grow larger. Has not seen many seeding crabs in all 

 his experience. They spawn far out to sea. Prefers his gauge to that of the Spawning. 

 Gorran men. Has no other recommendation to make as to crabs. toustftk 



The supply of lobsters is falling off as much as that of crabs, especially at 



Fowey. Eight or ten years ago he used to get double the number he gets Berried. 

 now. All the take comes to him. 



The remedy is not to take the berried hens, but they are the best fish, and 

 very numerous in the early part of the year. There is a demand for them in 

 the London market, and they fetch a high price. If the capture of berried 

 hens were prohibited there would not be' enough lobsters to supply the 

 demand. Does not think, if the capture of berried hens were prohibited, that the 

 fishermen would remove the berries. They might remove them when they 

 were very ripe. Would not personally consent, for the sake of future benefit, r 

 to sacrifice the present advantage of selling berried hens. Would prohibit au ° c ' 

 the capture of all lobsters under 8 inches long. About 1 in 6 or 1 in 

 10 are under 8 inches. Thinks this would help to arrest decrease, but would 

 not be sufficient. Is not, however, prepared to recommend the prohibition of 

 the capture of berried hens, which would entail a serious loss on fishermen 

 and salesmen. Undersized fish pay the fisherman better than the salesman, as 

 they do not pay for the cost of carriage. 



(Examined by Mr. Buckland.) Never saw many seeding crabs. Thinks crabs Ptymngcmd 

 spawn far out to sea. Crabs and lobsters are sent away alive. He does not 

 plug the crabs, but cuts them, so that they may not bite one another. The 

 crabs that are boiled are boiled alive. Lobsters go up by ordinary train. Few 

 are boiled here. They reach London in 24 hours. CRABS 



Peter Billing, nephew to James Billing. Has heard Mr. Pawlyn's 



evidence. Thinks Mr. Pawlyn is wrong in thinking that crabs are decreasing. No decrease. 



Mr. Pawlyn gets as many fish from the fishermen as he used to do 10 years 



ago, if not more. He himself catches as many crabs as he used to do, and he 



has fished for nearly 20 years. There are as many crabs and as many lobsters, 



but there are more boats to divide them between. Each boat takes less, but 



the fish are on the whole as plentiful as ever. Thinks that no legislation is 



necessary, but agrees with Mr. Pomeroy's, and Mr. James Billing's evidence 



as to a 5-inch gauge for females, and a 5^-inch gauge for males ; but he would Gauge. 



himself recommend no law, as crabs are not decreasing. 



Fishes in the same place as he used to do, and does not fish more in- 





