If) 



boats. There are now too many boats and too many fishermen. The price CRABS. 

 is so good that almost everyone takes to fishing. 



(By Mr. Young.) There might be some difficulty in enforcing a gauge. The 

 officers of the White Herring Fishery Board might possibly assist. 



James Watson, of Whitehills (examined by Mr. Young). A fisherman ; is 

 about 65 or 66 years of age. Has had long experience of the crab and lobster 

 fisheries. Agrees with the statements of previous witnesses. Crabs and lobsters Decrease. 

 have decreased very much in numbers, and increased much in price. Recollects 

 crabs 2c?. or 3c?. a dozen. They are now 3s. 6d. a dozen. Thinks there is only Pride. 

 pne way to improve the crab fisheries. They ought to have a seven years' 

 jubilee ; they are now practically fished out. Thinks the close season for crabs Close ll,Uc 

 should commence on 1st November and end on 1st June. The crabs then are 

 not in good condition. Lobsters are in season and out of season at every period LOBSTERS, 

 of the year. Would have a close season for them in May, June, and July. Cl t ~~ 



(By Mr. Walpole.) Closes November to June for crabs because they are 

 out of condition. They are not, however, in order in June and July ; but in 

 June and July old fishermen depend on them; would not like to hurt these 

 fishermen. Closes May, June, and July for lobsters, because they come in to 

 the rocks then to shell. There is not so much demand for lobsters in those 

 months. 



John Watt (examined by Mr. Walpole), resides at Gardenstown. Has 

 been a fisherman for every kind of fish for nearly 50 years. Has been in the 

 Shetlands and Orkneys, and wherever he could find plenty. The lobsters are Decrease. 

 not one third so numerous either in the Moray Firth or in the Orkneys as they 

 used to be. Now in the Orkneys they catch very few lobsters unless they go 

 to very rough places. Goes to the Orkneys every year. Thinks the scarcity is 

 due to too many people fishing for them. It is impossible to stop fishermen 

 fishing altogether ; but thinks May, June, and July might be closed. The Close time. 

 lobsters then come in shore and are very easily taken. Agrees with Mr. Finlay Gauge. 

 that there should be a gauge, but Mr. Finlay's 7-inch gauge is too large. 

 5 inches from tip of snout to the flap of tail is a fair lobster. 

 If there is a gauge for crabs, it must apply to only edible crabs. 

 (By Mr. Young.) Has fished in Loch Erribol. There used to be a very good 

 lobster fishery there ; but it has very much fallen off. There are scarcely any Decrease. 

 lobsters to be got except in very rough places. 



James Watt, son of the preceding witness (examined by Mr. Young). Has 

 heard his father's evidence. Thinks that, at this season of the year, you will not Berried. 

 get 3 per cent, of berried lobsters. Out of 35 lobsters caught recently only one 

 was berried. In July and August the lobsters are in bad condition, and they will 

 not have roes when they are in bad condition. No coast exposed to the Atlantic Weather. 

 can be fished in the winter season, and the close season, June, July, and August, 

 recommended by other witnesses, would prevent these fisheries being fished. 

 The Act, enforcing this close season, has never beer, enforced. Personally, 

 he would have June to September, inclusive, closed. Thinks a gauge for Close time. 

 lobsters would be a good thing, but has never acted on this himself. Thinks 

 a 7-inch gauge would be too large, and that there are many lobsters which do Gauge. 

 not grow to 7 inches ; is speaking of the barrel gauge. Would have a 5-inch 

 barrel gauge. Thinks it especially necessary to close August and September. 

 Lobsters are then in poor condition, and easily caught. The weather is fine. 

 Always gets crabs when fishing for lobsters, but never carried out crab fishing 

 as a special pursuit. Would not have a close season for crabs. It would not be 

 observed. Would never consent to a law that would prevent fishermen from 

 taking crabs for bait. 



(By Mr. Walpole.) Believes that a close season from June to September in- 

 clusive would suit the fishermen at the back of the Lews, as the weather Weather. 

 is so warm that the lobsters often do not go to market and the men get 

 employment in other ways. 



Alexander Garden Nicholls (examined by Mr. Walpole). Lives at 

 Gardenstown. Has been a fisherman for 20 years, fishing for lobsters and 

 other fish. Has been to the West Highlands for lobsters. The lobsters are Decrease. 

 not now one for three what they were. Is in favour of a close season for lobsters. Close time. 

 It should be June, July, August, and September, and thinks the fishermen on 

 the Moray Firth would not object to such a close season. Is in favour of a 

 gauge for lobsters. A whole lobster used to be 4h inches in the barrel and Gauge. 



