54 



CRABS. 



Decrease. 

 Close time. 



Migration. 

 Berried. 



LOBSTERS. 



Decrease. 

 Berried. 



Traivlers. 



pots as lie could 50 years ago. The crabs are decreasing. This is due to over- 

 fishing. Thinks no she crabs should be taken from Michaelmas to Lady-day. 

 They draw into the shoal water to spawn. If this were done has no doubt 

 it would improve the fishery. No crabs are taken here under 6 inches. The 

 female crabs are taken between Michaelmas and Lady-day for bait. There 

 would be no difficulty in getting other bait. About this time (December) the 

 she crabs are berried ; they are berried in December, January, and February. 

 In the spring no berried hens are seen. After the spring they see a great 

 many soft crabs. 



There are not so many lobsters caught as there used to be. Since the French, 

 began catching lobsters in France 30 years ago they have fallen off. Sees most 

 berried lobsters in January, February, and March, and is in favour of pro- 

 hibiting the capture of berried hens in these months. 



The trawlers destroy a great many she crabs in the winter months. The 

 trawlers ought to be compelled to return these. Has no other complaint 

 against the trawlers. No crabs now are sent from here to market under 

 6 inches. Thousands of crabs are destroyed for bait all the year round. They 

 are broken up as bait for the hooks, and is in favour of prohibiting this. They 

 use them as bait for connors or wrasse. There are 10 fishermen here. Believes 

 they all agree with this evidence. 



Hope and Anchor Inn, Hope, Tuesday, 5th December 1876. 



CRABS. 



No decrease. 



LOBSTERS. 



No decrease. 



Bait. 



CRABS. 



Food of. 

 Migration. 



Gauge. 

 LOBSTERS. 



Berried. 



Store pots. 



Present : 

 Frank Buckland and Spencer Walpole, Esquires. 



Joseph Hargate {examined by Mr. Walpole). Has been fishing 35 years 

 for crabs and lobsters. There are 12 to 14 boats here. Fishes from Bolt Tail 

 to Bolt Head, nearly up to Salcombe Harbour, five miles from east to 

 west, and in some places six miles out to sea. Begins fishing in March, and 

 goes on till the middle of August. In the autumn goes on to the pilchards. 

 There are as many crabs now as there were 35 years ago. Some of the crabs 

 are very large. All above 8 inches count as one, and 8 inches they go two for 

 one. The smallest crab they take is about 6 inches. There are very few taken 

 under that size. They take no soft crabs, if they do, they heave them away. 

 They never take any berried crabs. The crabs are sold to Mr. Locke of South- 

 ampton, who sends smacks for them. There are as many lobsters now as 

 there were 35 years ago. No law for lobsters is necessary. They never catch 

 here any lobsters under 8 inches. 



William Thornton {examined by Mr. Buckland). Has been fishing for 

 35 or 36 years for crabs and lobsters. They set about 50 pots per boat. Skate, 

 ray, and connors (wrasse), are used for bait. The pots are set in March and 

 taken up in the middle of August. The best time for catching crabs is after 

 a ground swell. Thinks the crabs live by suction. After August there is not. 

 a crab to be caught, and he thinks that they go and bury themselves. The 

 trawlers catch the crabs all times of the year. The steamers do a deal of injury 

 by cutting the strings of the crab pots with their screws and paddles. This is 

 done accidentally. The bottom here is rocky. There is very little sand. The 

 trawlers cannot work here. The pots are set in water from 13 fathoms to 

 40 fathoms deep. After August, when they leave off crabbing, they go on to 

 the other fish, and recommence crabbing in March. They never see a berried 

 crab. They never catch any she crabs (Queens) until May. Is in favour of 

 returning all crabs under 6 inches. Crabs here are never broken up for bait. 



The lobsters have not much decreased. Catches the berried lobsters all 

 through the season. From May to June they catch very few lobsters, but catch 

 more in July and August. The smallest lobster they can see is about 4 to 

 6 inches. The gauge of the lobster is 11 inches. All below this go two for 

 one. Those above 6 inches long are thrown overboard. The smacks would 

 not take them. The lobsters and crabs are stored in crab pots. They are 

 kept from a week to a fortnight. Doesn't think that they fall off in quality 

 in that time. They keep best in the winter. They are nicked before they are 



