43 



previously for his father. The supply comes from the north-west and west LOBSTERS, 

 coast of Skye. The lobsters are brought over in carts and sent by rail to 

 London, Liverpool, and Manchester. In 1862 lobsters were from 6s. to 20s. 

 a dozen. The lobsters are cheap in September because they are plentiful ; in 

 February they rise in price to 22s. ; and 35s. a dozen has been paid for them. Season for. 

 This is the highest price. The season commences in September and ends in 

 May, when the spring work begins, the men being half farmers, half fishermen. 

 The lobsters are not so plentiful as they were in 1862, but there is more 

 difference in the size than in the number. The lobsters are measured by the 

 barrel gauge, and lobsters below 4^ inches, or wanting a claw, count two for 

 one. There are a larger proportion of lobsters under gauge than there used to 

 be. About 20 per cent, of the lobsters were under gauge in 1862, and about 

 50 per cent, are so now. Thinks that this falling off in size is due to over- 

 fishing. Believes so because there are more boats on the lobsters than there 

 used to be, and the boats carry more creels. As a remedy would make it 

 illegal to take any lobsters below a certain size. Thinks that the gauge might Gauge. 

 be fixed at 4 inches in the barrel. The lobsters this year are more plentiful 

 than last year, but smaller. Would also recommend a close time. In Skye close time. 

 no lobsters ought to be fished after April till September. There are not many 

 lobsters taken in those months now, in Skye, but a few are taken. There 

 would be no difficulty in fixing one gauge for the whole country. The lobsters 

 are sold in Liverpool and Manchester by the weight, in London by the chest. 

 They never talk of the size. Would have, however, a uniform gauge over all 

 the country, for the fishermen and the first buyer. 



(By Mr. Young.) The close.season, if there is a close season, must be universal, 

 and there must be no lobsters in the market in these months. Has had no 

 lobsters from the Lews or Harris since he commenced business. The lobsters 

 from these islands go away by the direct steamer to Glasgow. In 1865 he 

 went to buy lobsters at Tarbert in Harris. They were fine large lobsters, he 

 never saw finer except from Rona. The island of Rona had not been fished for 

 some years. When men the commenced fishing at that island the lobsters were 

 remarkable for size, only four dozen and nine went in a box which ordinarily 

 contains seven to nine dozen. After the fishing the lobsters became very 

 scarce. The place was so small that it was almost entirely fished out. It is 

 therefore advisable to take some precautions against over-fishing. Is aware of 

 9 Geo. II. c. 33, s. 4, instituting a close season for lobsters. Most of the fisher- 

 men are aware of it. It was once enforced or threatened to be enforced in the 

 Lews. Till lately there was no need of this Act as the fishermen didn't fish 

 there. Since the Skye Railway was made they have begun to do so. Thinks 

 the diminution in the size of lobsters is a striking proof of over-fishing. The 

 fishermen do not give the lobsters time to grow. The most effectual way of 

 enforcing a close season and gauge would be through the markets. Had a 

 Skye lobster in 1863, weighing / lb- 9 ozs. It came from the west coast of 

 Skye. It was 29 inches long. About the same time he had another from 

 Rona of the same size. The last consignment he had was on the 1/th 

 October 18/6 ; he had 84 lobsters weighing 120 lbs. They came from 

 Kilmaluaig. Believes that the fishermen on the west coast of Skye fish in 12 In deep water. 

 fathoms. The farther they go from the shore the larger the lobsters they get. 

 There is a place called Stein, in Loch Bay, on the west coast of Skye, where 

 the lobsters are always small. A 4-inch barrel gauge would close the fishing 

 at that place. There is, however, a place near, where they get large lobsters. 

 Kilmaluaig, Gendale, Ruan Dunan, and Rona, produce the best lobsters in 

 Skye. Stein produces the smallest. There are lobsters in Raasay. 



William Stewart (examined by Mr. Young). Resides at Portree; is a 

 fisherman. Buys lobsters and sends them to Billingsgate Market. The 

 lobsters are not nearly so plentiful nor so large as they were 20 years ago. Decrease. 

 There are as many boats fishing now as there were when he first remembers 

 it. The boats carry more creels than they did formerly. The lobsters have Creels. 

 not risen in price. 18 years ago paid 25s. 6d. a dozen for them, and could 

 buy them now for 7s. Gd. In February they would be from 12s. to 15s. 

 Thinks that the diminution in size is due to over-fishing. In some parts of 

 the island, the fishing goes on throughout the year. Thinks that there ought Close time. 

 to be a close time in May, June, July, and August. During these months 

 it should be illegal to buy or sell any lobsters. The lobsters then are of little 



