59 



Thomas Leonard. Has been fishing for 30 and 40 years on the same CRABS. 



ground as Mr. Forster. Thinks he catches about the same number of crabs 



as he used to, and that they are not smaller. Agrees with Mr. Forster that all ° ecrease - 

 crabs under 5 inches, all berried crabs, and all soft crabs should be thrown back. Gauf J e - 

 Thinks all lobsters under 8 inches should be thrown back. Thinks the s °f im 

 trawlers are injurious, but is afraid of meddling with them, as they might cut 

 away the pots. The pots with the lines and corks cost about 5.9. each. 



John Allis. Fishes along the shore from the Yealm to Mothecombe. There 

 are just the same number of crabs as there used to be, and they are about the 

 same size. The fishing season commences in February and ends in September. 

 Very seldom catches she crabs till June and July. Agrees that lobsters under LOBSTERS. 



8 inches and crabs under 5 inches should be returned to the sea. Thinks that 



there are as many fish caught as there were 30 years ago, but that the take is au ° e ' 

 divided among more boats. 



Henry Kingcund. For two summers took the crabs for Mr. Scovell. 

 Confirms the evidence of previous witnesses. Saw no berried crabs in the 

 fishing season, but believes berried lobsters may be taken all through the Berried. 

 year. Does not think legislation for crabs or for lobsters is necessary. 



Rolle Arms Hotel, Budleigh Salterton, Thursday, 

 7th December 1876. 



Present: 

 Frank Buckland and Spencer Walpole, Esquires. 



Reverend George Dace Adams {examined by Mr. Walpole). Has been CRABS, 



28 years vicar of Budleigh Salterton. The population of the village is about 



1,600. There are about 30 fishermen ; there is a considerable fishery for lobsters 

 and crabs. The principal fishery is 10 miles out, off the Exeters ; but there 

 is also a fishery along shore. Thinks the fishery is about stationary, but that it 

 might be made more productive. Thinks there ought to be a close season, and 

 that the shell fish ought not to be taken and wasted. Will leave the fisher- 

 men to say when the close season should be. They are in the habit of bringing 

 ashore very small crabs and lobsters. They bring ashore crabs 5 inches 

 across. Thinks no crab ought to be taken under 5 inches. Hundreds of small g auqe 

 lobsters are brought in in the shrimp nets, and these small lobsters ought to 

 be put back. Thinks the institution of a close season, and the prohibition of 

 the capture of very small fish would do a great deal of good to the fisheries. 



George Bent {examined by Mr. Walpole). Is a fisherman. Has been 

 acquainted with the fisheries for crabs and lobsters all his life, 74 years. 

 Thinks the crabs are decreasing in number. The crabs w r ere more plentiful j) ecrease 

 50 years ago than they are now ; could catch double the number of crabs with 

 half the number of pots. The gross take of all the boats is nearly as large now 

 as ever. There are six boats fishing for crabs and lobsters at the Exeters ; 

 each boat carries 40 pots. There were four boats 40 years ago, and they used 

 to carry about 30 pots each. There is 5 or 6 miles of ground at the Exeters. 

 From the Exeters they never get crabs smaller than 5 inches, they run up to 

 8 or 10 lbs. The shell fish are sent to Exeter, being sold c to dealers in the 

 village in the first instance. Is in favour of a gauge, and thinks a 5-inch gauge Gauge. 

 for crabs, and an 8-inch gauge for lobsters would do. Thinks the trawlers do 



serious injury to the crab fishery, by catching the female crabs, especially in the 



fall. The females leave the rocks in the spawning season. Has seen many Gauge. 

 a dozen of the female crabs brought in at Brixham. The trawlers work on Trawlers. 

 sandy ground. The trawlers should, in his opinion, be prevented from 

 bringing in crabs. They destroy also a great quantity of small fish. 



Richard Pratt {examined by Mr. Walpole). Has been a fisherman for 

 30 years, and fishing all the time for crab and lobsters. Fishes off the Exeters 

 and along shore. Thinks there are 8 miles of off-ground, a mile or more broad, 

 i.e., scattered ground, with patches of sand between the rocks. The in-shore 



