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They are habitually in the deep holes. The fisherman do not, on this portion of LOBSTERS, 

 the coast, resume fishing till the following September, but in deep water lobsters 

 are fished all the year round, and they are stored in ponds till the weather is 

 suitable for carrying them. Is in the habit of taking all lobsters over 4| Gauge. 

 inches in the barrel ; under that size they count two for one. The very small 

 ones, 2 to 3 inches long, are rejected. These are very numerous in certain calm 

 localities near the shore. Is in favour of returning all lobsters under 4^ inches 

 in the barrel. Is in favour of a close season for lobsters. It should com- Close time. 

 mence on 1st May and terminate on 30th September. Is in favour of inclu- 

 ding September. The close season must apply to the sellers as well as the 

 takers. It must therefore be universal. Thinks, however, it would be Enforcement of 

 possible to enforce a close season locally. There are no Coastguard here, and law. 

 only one White Herring officer, who is stationed here. There are also five 

 officers connected with the Custom House. Thinks it would be practicable to 

 enforce a local close season. The Bernera men fish all the year round. The 

 lobsters which they take in the summer months are placed in ponds and kept. Kept in ponds. 

 Considers this practice prejudicial. The fish do not get sufficient food. They 

 are artificially fed in these ponds. Believes that there are two of these ponds, 

 one belonging to Mr. Morrison, one to Mr. MacLeod. There are about 7,000 

 lobsters in the pond at Bernera: Has bought lobsters from the pond, and 

 found that they did not stand the carriage, but died. The ponds pay because 

 the lobsters are bought at a very eheap rate in the summer months. If the 

 summer months were closed there would be no fish to put into the ponds, and 

 the ponds would be closed as a matter of course. Thinks, however, it would 

 be necessary to supplement the close season with legislation prohibiting the 

 fish being kept in ponds. Gave up pond lobsters because they wouldn't carry. 

 They are now sent direct to market by the owner of the pond. 



Does not deal in crabs 5 they don't pay to carry. He sends away 8,000 Supply of. 

 lobsters, Mr. Smith 8,000, Mr. Morrison 7,000, and other dealers 8,000. There 

 are fully 30,000 lobsters go away annually from the Lews. There are more 

 than 40,000 lobsters caught annually in the Lews.- 



John McSween (examined by Mr. Young). Is a fisherman in Stornoway; 

 Has fished for lobsters for 15 years. Gets as many now as he got 15 years ago. No decrease. 

 They are as good and as large. The fishermen use about the same number of 

 creels as they used to. They fish on both sides of Broad Bay. There are about Boats. 

 15 boats fishing there. 15 years ago there were only four or five boats. The 

 15 boats get three times as many lobsters as the five boats got 15 years ago. 

 Fishes in from 9 to 10 fathoms water, at high water. Commences fishing 1st Season for. 

 October and ends 31st March. Lobsters 15 years ago were 8s. per dozen. 

 They are now from 10s. to 20s., according to the season. Thinks that lobsters 

 spawn in April. Would have a close season commencing 1st May and ending close time. 

 30th September. Lobsters under 4| inches in the barrel now count two for 

 one. These should be returned. They get very few small lobsters on the east 

 coast. In a dozen lobsters they get two or three under 4| inches in the barrel. Gauge. 

 Is in favour of keeping such lobsters. Would put back all below 2 or 3 inches 

 in the barrel, which would be of no use to him or anybody else. 



John Macdonald (examined by Mr. Walpole). Fisherman of Stornoway. 

 Has heard Mr, MacSween's evidence, and agrees with him. Has been fishing for jy decrease. 

 lobsters eight or nine years. There are as many lobsters as there were, and 

 as large. Is in favour of a close season commencing 1st April and ending 30th Close time. 

 September. Is in favour of returning small lobsters to the sea. Gets three or 

 four lobsters in every 12 under 4| inches in the barrel. Wouldn't put back Gauge. 

 lobsters under 4 inches in the barrel. It would be a very great reduction to 

 throw back all under 9 inches in length. 



Angus McLeod (examined by Mr. Young). Has been for 12 years a 

 fisherman in Stornoway. Fishes in Stornoway Bay.' Does not get more Decrease 

 than half as many lobsters as he caught 12 years ago. They are about the same 

 size that they used to be. There are 30 creels in each boat. There are two 

 hands in each boat. 12 years ago there were four hands, and they used 60 creels. 

 12 years ago lobsters were 9s. a dozen, the year after 7s. ; they are now 10s. The Price. 

 fishermen begin to fish in the latter end of September, and they leave off about Close time. 

 the 1st February. After that the lobsters are scarce, and they don't fish for them. 

 Is in favour of a close season for lobsters. It should commence on the 1st 

 April and end in September. They do not get any lobsters in these months. 



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