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that they catch the lobsters both in deep and shallow water. The large lobsters LOBSTERS, 

 are mainly caught in the early spring and in the late autumn. The Bognor B . " — 

 fishermen say they catch berried lobsters all the year round. The Selsea men erried - 

 do not catch berried lobsters in midsummer. The Bognor men think that no 

 close season is necessary, as they practically do not commence fishing till the 

 early spring. The Selsea men recommend a close season from the middle of Close time. 

 November to the middle of February. The best fish are caught in water from 

 10 to 14 fathoms deep. The Bognor men fish in shallow water. 



John Richards, a fisherman of Bognor. Has been fishing for 30 years 

 both inshore and deep water. Would not like a close season from November 

 to February, must fish in November. The close season ought not to begin till 

 December, and might go on till beginning of February. Has been catching 

 lobsters and crabs for 30 years. Uses both the small pots and large pots . 



{Examined by Mr. Buckland.) For the first 20 years used nothing but the 

 large pots. During the last 10 years used small pots as well. The pots are Pots. 

 the same as they used to be. 



(By Mr. IValpole.) Carries about 30 big pots off shore, and 200 little pots 

 for the inshore fishing. The pots go out at the commencement of the season, 

 and remain out throughout it. The most valuable fishery at Bognor is the 

 prawn fishery. It is a good day's work to get 20 lbs. of lobster in a day. 

 There would be 25 to 30 lobsters in the 20 lbs. Each lobster would average 

 about two thirds of a pound. Considerably more than one half would be 

 over 8 inches in length. Thinks that the little lobsters in time would grow 

 into big ones. Could not agree to put back lobsters over 7 inches. Could 

 only consent to put back all over a quarter of a pound. Thinks this an 

 exceptional place for breeding lobsters ; it is a great nursery for lobsters. Thinks Breeding. 

 the little lobster will grow into a big one ; but that he will not stay at Bognor. 

 Never caught a lobster over 8 lbs., and not many over 4 lbs. When he com- 

 mences, about April, catches mostly berried hens. There are most berried 

 hens in October. Sees little lobsters in the spring. 



(By Mr. Buckland.) Fishes along the coast from Littlehampton to Selsea, 

 and 12 miles out to sea. Fishes up to the shore where it is dry at low water. 

 There are all sorts of bottoms between this and the Owers light, 12 miles out 

 to sea. There is a large ridge of rocks at the Owers light, covered with weeds. 

 Uses plaice for bait, if he can get it. Breaks up watery crabs for bait for Bait. 

 prawns. There are about the same number of boats now at Bognor that there 

 were when he was young, from 16 to 20 boats. There are not so many boats go 

 outside from Bognor as there used to be; but there are more on the inshore 

 ground. Trawlers cannot come here as the bottom is too rocky. Those 

 who go prawning carry a few lobster pots. Crabs are caught in the prawn CRABS. 

 pots, and they injure the pots by pinching them, and get out of them. This is 

 not a crab ground. There are a lot of small crabs here. Very few are sent 

 to market. Takes no interest in the crab fishery. Brighton is the principal 

 market for shell-fish. They are most valuable in April because they are scarcer. 

 The price has not altered much during the last three or four years ; but is 

 better than it was 20 years ago. The railway, which was made 11 years ago, 

 has done the fishermen good. Cannot say whether the lobsters have decreased LOBSTERS, 

 or not. The seasons vary. The lobsters fish best in July, and at night, and in 

 fine weather. Thick water is good for crabs, fine water for lobsters. Wouldn't Weather. 

 like a law compelling the return of berried lobsters. The Brighton fishmongers 

 will buy a parcel of lobsters weighing 20 lbs. for the sake of two or three berried Berried. 

 hens in it. Thinks nothing should be done except to enforce the return of all 

 lobsters under a i lb. A J lb. lobster will measure 6^ inches. If an 8-inch 

 gauge were made, the Bognor fishermen could not earn a livelihood. Some 

 days they would scarcely bring anything home. The principal market is 

 Brighton. The chicken lobsters are in great demand in Goodwood week. 

 About the end of May they catch a great many little lobsters. Perhaps 10 or 

 12 under 6% inches in a day, from 1 oz. to 3 oz. At the bottom of the sea, 

 close in to shore, there are grass banks with holes like rat or rabbit holes, in 

 which the lobsters live. These banks extend for 20 miles from Selsea to 

 Shoreham in patches. The grass weed grows on mud banks. These mud 

 banks form a breeding ground. The French coast is 80 miles off. 



(By Mr. Walpole.) Will be satisfied with the local market in Sussex for all 



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