63 



On reconsideration desires to say that a 6-inch gauge will not do for she CRABS. 

 crabs. With that gauge would have to throw away 80 per cent. Would Q auqe 

 prefer two gauges, one for males and one for female crabs. There should be a 

 6-inch gauge for males, and a 5-inch gauge for females. 



The crab fishery commences in January, if fine, or in February. When he Season for. 

 said that crabs were in the best condition in February he meant male crabs. 

 Many of the female crabs are then small and the large female crabs are light. 

 The large female crabs in February have recently cast their shell. The female 

 crab improves in condition as the year advances, and is in good condition from 

 July to October when they are fullest. The red coral is not in the female crab Spawning. 

 before October. The coral is in the shell from October to January. They 

 then go away to deposit their spawn and are seldom seen. 



Captain John Harnden {examined by Mr. Walpole). Has been 45 years 

 engaged in the crab and lobster trade. Has eight smacks at the present time. Trade in. 

 His smacks go to Norway, France, Ireland, and the English coast. Has a 

 large depot here and at Great Grimsby. Has two smacks trading to Norway. 

 The Norway trade does not begin till May (to any extent) and ends in July. 

 There is a close season in Norway, but it is not observed. There is no trade LO BSTE RS, 

 in crabs from Norway. The Norwegian lobster is a smaller lobster than the Norwegian. 

 English lobster. An 8-inch gauge would, for the time being, be injurious Q auget 

 to the Norwegian fishermen ; but it would be an ultimate benefit to the 

 Norwegian trade. Is aware that the Norwegian Legislature had a proposal 

 before it to prohibit the capture of all lobsters under 8 inches, and thinks this 

 ought to have been adopted. A Norwegian fisherman, speaking for others, 

 told him that 8 inches ought to be the gauge. If an 8-inch gauge would do 

 for this country, it would not injure the Norwegian fisheries ultimately. A 

 hen lobster would breed twice before she arrived at the 8-inch gauge. An 

 8-inch gauge would injure the fishermen for a little time, but they would 

 benefit hereafter. Has four or five smacks trading to France. The French French. 

 fish are larger fish, and the 8-inch gauge will do no harm there. Would like 

 in this country an 11-inch gauge, but we must take the Norwegian gauge for 

 the highest markets. Thinks nothing is necessary for the Norwegian fisheries 

 except the institution of a gauge. Thinks that there are lobsters in good 

 condition in any month of the year. Thinks that lobsters are in berry all the Berried. 

 year round ; but that they hatch out chiefly in the summer. Has store chests 

 at Grimsby, and store pits both here and in Norway. Thinks he can produce Store pot*. 

 as good lobsters out of pits as anywhere. But they must be fed. Has had 

 lobsters in pits for six years; both hens and cocks. Can't say what their 

 growth has been. In France they say a lobster takes 10 years to come to his 

 growth, i.e., his extreme growth. Ponds ought to be encouraged, if properly Growth. 

 conducted, and not put down. Has heard Mr. Kenneth Smith's (of Stornoway) 

 evidence,* relative to the inadvisability of keeping lobsters in ponds. Totally 

 differs from it. 



Gets his crabs from the Start to the Land's End ; is in favour of a 5-inch CRABS, 

 gauge for shes and a 6-inch for hes. This gauge must apply to Billingsgate Q auQe 

 and the other markets. Can't say whether this gauge will destroy the Portland 

 and Bognor fishery. Believes that the crabs retire to spawn in deep water 

 and holes. This is in January. After the female crab has cast her shell in Migration. 

 February the male crab is found protecting her. Can't say whether impreg- 

 nation is then effected. Is in favour of returning all soft and light crabs, and Soft. 

 all berried crabs and all black crabs. The black crabs found in the lobster Black. 

 ground in Mount's Bay are never good and it is no use making a law for them. 



(By Mr. Buckland.) Does not know whether the Norwegian fishermen will be LOBSTERS, 

 pleased with the 8-inch gauge. The Norwegian lobster merchants are in — 



favour of this gauge. The lobsters take sometimes seven or eight days coming x orwe 9 mn - 

 from Norway to Grimsby. His lobsters in Grimsby are stored in chests. They Store pots. 

 can be kept for a fortnight or three weeks in chests. The trade in tinned 

 American lobsters is not interfering with his fisheries. Has come from 

 Sweden to Hamble in five days, but takes generally a fortnight. Has come 

 from Norway to Hull in 50 hours. Does not now get lobsters from Sweden. 

 Does not think that the Norwegian fisheries have fallen off, except in size. 

 Large quantities of Norwegian lobsters go to Belgium. 



* See'Evidence, Scotland, page 48. 

 40353. H 





