from a crab with a touch. They are deposited in the water and hatched there. CRA.BS. 

 Knows of no other great breeding place for crabs in the North Sea nearer $ mw ~~ 

 than Texel. Texel is 1(50 miles from Flamborough. If there had been another 

 great breeding place nearer Yorkshire the trawlers would have been sure to have 

 found it. In five years' experience never saw but one berried crab in the pots. 

 Nevertheless, from April to June there more shes than hes in the pots. The 

 crabs off the Dogger Bank are about 6 to 7 inches. They are chiefly she 

 crabs. 



John W. Woodall, Alderman. Owner of a small steam yacht. Is an 

 Oxford man. Was first-class in Natural Sciences. Associated with Mr. Gwyn 

 Jeffries in Shetland dredging operations. Believes that the minimum temper- 

 ature of the sea on the Yorksire coast in April and May is as low as any part 

 of the "North Sea. 44° may be taken as the temperature. The temperature in Temperature. 

 the summer is about 54°. Thinks that the temperature has the greatest 

 influence on all sea animals. Does not believe that any legislation is necessary 

 to stop in-shore trawling. There are many days when, owing to the wind, the 

 smacks are unable to trawl. If it does any injury it is by destroying the small Trawling. 

 fry. Thinks it desirable to put back all small crabs and lobsters. 



Captain Henry Mann {examined by Mr. Walpole). Is acquainted with 

 the ground off Texel. Has trawled on it between April and July. At that 

 time there are a great many berried crabs. Never saw a he crab there. There Breeding. 

 are a great many crabs with shell spawn on them there. Off the westernmost 

 part of the Texel there is a deal of ground. These breeding crabs are found 

 also the whole way from the south of the Dogger Bank to the Dutch coast. 

 They are not so plentiful to the north of the Dogger. Thinks that the crab 

 deposits her berries in the water, and that it is immaterial whether it is on 

 rocky ground or sandy ground. Has heard evidence about in-shore trawling. Traioling. 

 Does not think it does the Robin Hood's Bay men, nor any person, any harm. 

 No legislation ought to be thought of on such a subject. 



(By Mr. Buckland.) Does not think that the destruction of fish by trawlers 

 in-shore does harm. There are 100 fish killed now for one 25 years ago. There 

 are just as many fish in the sea as ever. The in-shore trawling does not kill so 

 many small fish as the deep-sea trawling. The deep-sea fish do not draw 

 in-shore to spawn, and the spawn chiefly floats. 



William Walker. A fisherman for 16 years. Has heard previous 

 evidence. Agrees with it and with the gauges recommended. 



William Purcell. Agrees with the gauges recommended by previous 

 witnesses, and asks for protection. By protection, means a law to prevent sale 

 of unsizeable crabs and lobsters. 



Thomas Thompson. A fisherman. Has been crabbing for seven years in 

 Scotland, at Anstruther. Has seen both he and she crabs caught there. The Gauge observed. 

 fishermen there made the rule to return small crabs, and did so, and the markets 

 made the rule not to buy any crabs under 5 inches. This practice was carried 

 out for 10 years. It proved beneficial, and there are more large crabs caught 

 there than anywhere. It is 10 years since he left Anstruther, and the same 

 thing has been going on since. This practice at Anstruther has increased the 

 crabs in number. Mr. Gellatly, harbour-master, Anstruther, could give infor- 

 mation. Thinks that the Anstruther precedent ought to be applied to Scar- 

 borough. With regard to in-shore trawling, the in-shore trawlers do not kill so 

 much fry as the deep-sea trawlers outside. 



Artillery Drill Shed, Flamborough, Monday, 20th November 



1876. 



Present : 

 Frank Buckland and Spencer Walpole, Esquires. 



Panton Fell {examined by Mr. Walpole). A fisherman for 40 years at 

 Flamborough. Has been fishing for crabs and lobsters. Fishes from Speeton 

 Cliffs on the north to Sewerby on the south, six miles north and two miles 

 south, and about half a mile seawards. When he began there were about 30 

 boats at Flamborough; there are now about 70. All these boats go out crab- 

 bing in the season. The crab season commences at the beginning of April and Season for 

 40353. G 



