22 



CRABS. 



Gauge. 

 Price. 



LOBSTERS. 



Gauge. 



CRABS. 



Used for bait. 



Gauge. 



Spaivning. 

 Gauge. 



Migration. 

 Used for bait. 



has been putting back all crabs under 4 inches ; two 4-inch crabs go for one 

 whole crab. 



A great number of crabs run in size between 4 and 5 inches across the back ; 

 5 inches is the standard at present ; under that they go two for one. A good 

 means of increasing the supply would be to throw back all crabs under 5 inches ; 

 no close time is wanted here. He does not get a better price for a ran or 

 spawning hen. He gets Is. 2d. each for lobsters above 4 inches in the barrel; 

 gets few lobsters below 4 inches in the barrel. 



Andrew White. Has been fishing for crabs eight or nine years. The 

 fishing ground is about 6 miles, backwards and forwards, opposite the villages 

 of Inverallochy and Cairnbulg. Caught few crabs last year. There were 

 six boats when he began, there are now 20 boats. There is little difference 

 between the number of crabs caught last season and formerly, because there 

 are now more fishers. 



The railway came here about nine years ago, and opened up a market for 

 the crabs. He begins fishing at the end of April and leaves off in July, and 

 then goes away to the herrings. Thinks that the small crabs should be put 

 back. Lobsters also under 4 inches in the barrel should be put back. Lobsters 

 about here run rather large. 



James Stevens, fisherman. If crabs under 5 inches were put back it 

 would be a good thing. Small lobsters also should be put back. Crabs are 

 used for bait in August and September for cod which appear at that season. 

 Would not like to be deprived of crabs for bait. Would not object to return 

 small crabs to the water when not required for bait. Thinks that 20 boats in 

 course of time might fish out the ground. 



Andrew Ritchie. Fisherman for 12 years. Thinks a gauge is necessary. 

 All crabs below 4 inches should be put back, except when they are wanted for 

 bait to catch cod in July, August, and September. 



John Strachan. Has been a fisherman for 40 years. Thinks it impossible 

 to over-fish the ground. Crabs spawn far out at sea, where they cannot be 

 reached. The adult and young crabs come inshore in the summer time. If 

 the small crabs, that is below 4 inches, were thrown back into the water, it 

 would tend to keep up the stock. 



The crabs retire from the shore in the autumn. They come back in the spring. 

 It would be unjust to deprive the fishermen of the use of them as bait. They 

 cast their shells in August and September. Would greatly object to any law 

 about crabs if the law proposed made it illegal to use crabs for bait during the 

 months of July, August, and September, because the crabs then are the best 

 bait for cod. If a law were made prohibiting the use of crabs for bait it would 

 be broken, especially in the case of old people, who then would be obliged to 

 break the law in order to get a living. 



Fraserburgh, Tuesday, 10th October 1876. 



Decrease. 



Close time. 



Present : 



Frank Buckland, Esquire. 



James Lowdon, Fraserburgh. Has been a dealer in crabs and lobsters for 

 six years. Has bought crabs from Inverallochy, St. Combs, Cairnbulg, 

 Fraserburgh, and Rosehearty. Crabs have diminished, not so much in quantity 

 as in size. The average size used to be 6 inches across the back ; now it is 

 about 5 inches. Attributes the decrease to over-fishing, and to fishing in 

 July, August, and September. e ' Shell " crabs should not be taken at all in 

 those months. They are taken for bait in that time. The supply of cod does 

 not depend on soft crabs at that time. In April, May, and June crabs are 

 worth more than at any other time of the year. Crab fishing should only be 

 allowed from 1st April to 12th July. During the other months of the year 

 crab fishing should not be allowed, as they are not in a marketable state. 

 Would further suggest that means should be used to protect crabs during the 

 whole year from idlers, who gather the small ones to a great extent from under 



