13 



20 creels in the summer, therefore he argues they have been over-fished. LOBSTERS. 

 Would have a close time for lobsters from 1st June to 31st August, during close time. 

 which time no lobsters, of any kind, should be taken. The fishermen are of 

 this opinion. Lobsters spawn in June more than in any other month of the Spawning 

 year. There used to be many fishermen, but the scarcity of lobsters has 

 reduced the number. Does not believe he could trace the scarcity of the 

 lobsters to the wreck of 40 years ago 5 it has simply been caused by over- 

 fishing. Has never heard of the Act of 9 George II. cap. 33 giving a close 

 time for lobsters. 



Thomas Hutton (recalled). Has heard of the Act of 9 George II. cap. 

 33 ; but never knew it carried out. 



J. Stevens, of Bodham. Is a fish curer. Used to go about as a boy CRABS, 

 with his father, 25 years ago. Caught many crabs then. Caught 72 crabs full 

 grown in one creel. There were plenty of crabs at that time. They are much Decrease. 

 scarcer now. Nobody at Bodham now fishes for crabs ; it does not pay. 

 Thinks a close time would do no harm, but gives no opinion on the subject. 

 Undersized crabs should be thrown back, to grow to maturity. It would be of 

 great advantage to put back all crabs under 5^ inches. Used to get six Gauge. 

 lobsters in an evening with rings ; but now does not get so many in the 

 whole season. Thinks the small hen-lobsters should be put back. The women 

 and children catching crabs take many thousands. Thinks this has much to 

 do with the scarcity. They catch them for bait and food. Has seen partans 

 not larger than his thumb-nail caught. 



Captain David Gray (recalled). Suggests the formation of districts like Enforcement of 

 the Salmon Fishery Districts, which should be let to and placed under the law - 

 authority of tacksmen, who would fish them on a system, and enforce the close 

 season and the throwing back of small crabs in their own interest. Killing small 

 crabs is like pulling up small potatoes before they are half grown. None 

 under 4\ inches across the back ought to be taken. There used to be seven Gauge. 

 boats from Peterhead and the neighbourhood, now there are only two ; the 

 rest have knocked off on account of the unsuccessful fishing. Something . 

 ought to be done to preserve the fishery. Has fished on ground that was never 

 fished before, and caught a good many large lobsters. Returned again in 

 about three weeks and caught none. Thinks^they were all fished out on the 

 first occasion. Shifted his ground for three months, and then returned to the 

 same place and fished it on and off for three weeks, and only caught three 

 lobsters all the time. 



James Ingram. Has been secretary to the Ugie District Board for Enforcement of 

 20 years. Thinks the herring fishery officers should have authority to carry 

 out the regulations as to close time which have been proposed. 



law. 



The Hotel, Cove, Kincardineshire, Monday, 9th October 1876. 



Present : 



Spencer Walpole and Archibald Young, Esquires. 



Peter Tester (examined by Mr. Young). Resides at Tony, and has been a 

 salmon fisherman for 29 years. Has during that time paid attention to the crab 

 fisheries. A good many crabs are caught between this and Bervie ; Shield Hill 

 (3 miles from Bervie) is the principal station for crabs on this coast. There are Decrease. 

 not so many crabs now as there were 29 years ago. They have decreased both 

 in number and size, especially in number. There are more boats employed in Boats. 

 taking crabs than there used to be, but there are fewer pots. The crabs are 

 in best season in October. In November the crabs begin to get very soft, Season for, 

 have little meat in the shells, and are not so well worth catching. Can't tell 

 reason of decrease. Does not think it is due to over-fishing. Does not think 

 it is, because in December, when out of condition, the crabs are as plentiful as 

 ever ; when they are in condition they are scarce. Thinks a close season would Close time. 

 do good. There is no close season observed at present. The close season 

 should comprise December, January, and February. The weather greatly 



