u 



LOBSTERS. 



mwning. 



value because they will not cany to market. It is waste to take them in those 

 months. Doesn't think that it would do to put back small lobsters. The 

 fishermen take everything, small and large, and would not obey such a law. 

 It could, however, be done by enforcing the law in the markets, if there was 

 a man for the purpose in every town where lobsters are sold. Has caught 

 lobsters from the Lews and from Harris. There are a great many lobsters 

 caught in these islands. Can form no opinion when lobsters spawn, bat 

 thinks they spawn in March and April. Thinks that the small Stein lobsters 

 Mr. Robertson spoke of are a distinct species. 



CRABS. 



Decrease. 



Decreased size. 



Soft. 



LOBSTERS. 



Close time. 

 Young. 



Dunbar, Saturday, 21st October 1876. 



Present : 

 Frank Buckland, Esquire. 



Provost James Brand. Has been provost for 28 years. Dunbar has been, 

 and is now, a great crab and lobster fishing station. Boats have now to go 

 further out at this season of the year than formerly, because the crabs have 

 gone out into deeper water. There are not many lobsters in comparison with 

 crabs. There are two parties of fishers, of different opinions, at Dunbar. 

 Would advise legislation for the protection of crabs and lobsters, which would 

 benefit the fishermen and the public as well. Thinks there should be a close 

 time for crabs and lobsters. Generally many men here fish all the year round, 

 therefore a close time would be opposed. It would not be more profitable to 

 put back soft crabs or small crabs. 



Lobsters are not caught in any quantity. The bottom is hard soil, and 

 there is much sand. The ground extends from St. Abb's Head to the Bass, a 

 distance of 23 or 24 miles, and 2| to 3 miles out to sea. The fish chiefly go 

 to the London market. Legislation would have greater effect and be more 

 valuable if it could be made to suit the local circumstances of Dunbar. There 

 is a bar at the mouth of the harbour formed of the debris of rocks fallen from 

 the cliffs at Castle Rocks. It has been increasing during the last 10 years. 

 Formerly there was no bar. This bar is dangerous to fishers, and they have 

 to stay out till the half flood before they can get in. Very often this bar 

 causes the boats to lose the train. It should be removed, as it is dangerous to 

 life and property, and deteriorates the value of fish. Men have to go up the 

 Forth for safety, and land cargo there on account of not having sufficient water 

 at low tide. The stones should be removed to enable the current to carry off 

 the sand and keep the harbour open. Went to Mr. Stevenson, C.E., and Mr. 

 Primrose, and asked them to assist in the work. Would subscribe 100Z. to 

 improve the fishery. If the bar were removed the fishery would increase. 

 Would wish these facts brought before the Board of Trade, and Sir H. 

 Ferguson Davie and Lord Elcho, M.P.'s for East Lothian. 



John Sharp, Springfield Villa, Dunbar. Agrees with the evidence of 

 Provost Brand, especially that it would greatly conduce to the benefit of the 

 public in general, and Dunbar in particular, if the bar were made passable. 



John Smith. Has been a fisher for 30 years. There are as many crabs now 

 as ever brought ashore, but they are smaller in size. The merchants take small 

 and large together. Sometimes four crabs count as one. A crab like this 

 would measure 3 to 3| inches across the back. They can always get a market 

 for them. Thinks these small crabs should be put back to grow. Begins to 

 find soft crabs in August and up to October ; these are crabs that have cast their 

 shell, and whose new shell has not yet hardened. Finds soft crabs below the 

 dabs. The shell of a soft crab breaks. Most of these crabs are sold for human 

 food. In the months of December and January soft crabs would become hard. 

 Fishers put them on board both at sea and in harbour. They should be 

 preserved. 



There should be a close time for lobsters in June, July, and August. Hen 

 lobsters sit and spawn on their nests like hens. Has heard that young 

 lobsters go under the tail of their mother. They quicken in June, July, and 

 August. Has seen spawn alive. The merchants have a gauge of 4£ inches. 



