This is the best year he ever knew. Does not know whether this is due to the CRABS, 

 hot weather. It may be so. Warm rainy weather with westerly winds are good w ea tj^T 

 for crab catching. Agrees with the recommendation already given, to throw Gauge. 

 back she crabs under 5 inches, and hes under 5i inches, and has no other 

 suggestion to make. 



Joseph Climo, of Polruan. The Gorran men are unanimously of opinion that 

 there should be a law to prevent the capture of she crabs under 5 inches, and 

 of he crabs under 5.V inches. There need be no law for lobsters. 



Town Hall, Falmouth, Saturday, 16th September 1876. 



Present : 



Frank Buckland and Spencer Walpole, Esquires. 



John Tremayne, M.P. for East Cornwall. Took a considerable interest in 

 the Crab and Lobster Fisheries (Norfolk) Bill when it was before Parliament last 

 session. Knowing the importance of the crab and lobster fisheries of Cornwall, 

 he placed himself in communication with all the fishing ports from Brighton to 

 St. Ives. Has also been in communication with Messrs. Poland, of Billinsgate 

 Market, and Messrs. Sheppard, of the Haymarket, London. From the evidence 

 there collected he has come to the conclusion that crabs and lobsters are j) ecrease 

 diminishing in quantity, size, and quality. 



At Bog nor, J. Wraggles, a fisherman, told him that the fishery will die out in 

 a few years. A few years ago he could catch 60 lbs. of lobsters in a day, now 

 he can only catch 24 lbs. He thinks the saleable size for lobsters should be Gauge. 

 a quarter of a pound weight. 



At Selsea, William Legge, a pilot and fisherman for 40 years, told him the 

 fishery has deteriorated quite one half. He thinks cray-fish should be pro- 

 tected under any Act for the protection of crabs and lobsters. Crabs and Brecd i ng ^ 

 lobsters spawn twice a year. Hence fishing early and late has been the cause of 

 the decrease. No crabs or lobsters should be caught before 1st March, nor after 

 the 31st October. The minimum size should be half a pound. No difference Close time. 

 need be made between male and female crabs. Crabs in spawn, and berried Berried. 

 lobsters should be returned to sea at all times of the year. 



At Sidmouth, according to the testimony of the leading fishermen, the 

 fishery has fallen off both in the quantity and size of the fish, particularly Decrease. 

 when compared with 50 years ago. It has not fallen off so much lately, still 

 to a certain extent it has diminished. The fishermen doubt whether legisla- 

 tion would be willingly received, but without legislation the fishery must 

 become extinct in a short time. Lobsters spawn first in April and May, and 



for a second time in October and November. Lobster pots should not be used L0 S ' 



from September to January. The fishermen are unanimously of opinion that Spawning. 

 berried hens (both crabs and lobsters) should be returned to the water. There Close time. 

 are few caught on that coast. 



At Budleigh Salterton, Mr. Bird says the well-to-do fishermen are in CRABS, 

 favour of a protection Act ; those who live from hand to mouth oppose it. ^ ~~ : 

 Crabs have not decreased there in number but in size. Crabs in spawn are ec)ease ; 

 rarely caught owing to rough weather preventing fishing. The fishermen 

 would approve of a standard of size for fish. Lobsters spawn from March to LOBSTERS. 

 September ; a close time would therefore be impossible. Berried hens should - — 



be returned to the sea. The penalty should be enforced on the salesman. As s P awnin 9- 

 many as 40 spawning lobsters are sometimes brought ashore in a morning. 



At East Looe he saw the fishermen, and had a memorial from them. They 

 are in favour of protective legislation, and would agree to a close time for six close time. 

 months in the year. There is a practical close time, owing to the pilchard Pilchard fish- 

 season, which commences in July. Crabs should be returned to the sea of less tn 9- 

 than 4| inches. Female crabs and lobsters are supposed to watch their young. Gauge. 

 In the early part of the year shell fish are full of meat and of delicious flavour. In 

 May and June there are only a few she lobsters, and they are very small. After 

 then the lobsters are rich. Lobsters of 1 lb. weight, or 10 inches long, should 



