53 

 Tarbert Hotel, Tarbert, Harris, Tuesday, 24th October 1876. 



Present : 

 Spencer Walpole, Esquire. 



William Macqueed, for 25 years buyer for Mr. Maclachlan, of Glasgow. LOBSTERS. 

 Lobsters, 25 years ago, were 85., 10s., and 12s. a dozen. The season in those 

 days began in November and ended in May. The price of lobsters has since Price 

 risen to 28s. a dozen, and averages from 15s. to 20s. The fishermen are fishing 

 for them now all the year round. Begins buying on 1st January, and ends 

 on 1st May. During the rest of the year the lobsters are sent away by the 

 fishermen on their own account. Pays away about 1,600/. a year for lobsters. 

 Buys the lobsters from fishermen both in the East and West Loch. About . 

 20 years ago the Irish boats came ; they ceased to come about 10 years ago. Creels. 

 The Irish first introduced the creels. The supply of lobsters is not so 

 great as it was, and they are not so heavy. One dozen lobsters 20 years ago 

 would weigh as heavy as two or three dozen now. Thinks the decrease is due 

 to the fishermen catching them large and small, and to their catching them 

 when the fish are breeding. Is in favour of a close season in May, June, July, 

 and August. Is in favour of returning all lobsters under 8 inches to the Gauge. 

 sea. 



There are 10 times as many boats as there used to be, but they do not earn 

 such good wages as they used. The Scarpa Island men are the most expe- 

 rienced fishermen in the whole country, and if others keep clear of their ground 

 they won't begin fishing till November or December. They can't keep the 

 strangers off the ground. 



Roderick McKay. Has been fishing for lobsters since he was a boy, 30 

 or 40 years ago ; fished at Scarpa. When he began fishing was employed by a 

 London company. Used to commence on the 1st May, and go on till the Smacks. 

 end of August. The lobsters were sent away in welled smacks, and so lived in 

 hot weather. The weather during the winter months was too rough for the 

 smacks, and the fishermen could not fish in the winter with hoops. Went on for 

 the London company for six or seven seasons ; the company then failed. Soon 

 after that, began fishing for Mr. Maclachlan, of Glasgow, who commenced buy- 

 ing 25 or 26 years ago. For Mr. Maclachlan the fishermen fished in the winter 

 months from November to May. Mr. Maclachlan sent them away in boxes by steamers. 

 steamer. Went on for Mr. Maclachlan for 20 years, and during the last three 

 or four years has been sending them himself by steamer in boxes. Sends his own 

 take, and buys from other fishermen. Begins sending in September and goes on 

 till May. There are only a few fishermen fishing lobsters in the summer time. Hot weather. 

 Sends lobsters away himself in summer time. Sends them to London and Man- 

 chester. Many die. Sometimes they all die. This is a great waste, and 

 ought to be stopped. Would like to see it stopped. 



There are not so many lobsters in any place as there were 40 years ago. If Decrease. 

 they had had creels at that time they could have got three times as many as 

 they do now. The lobsters are also smaller. The London company would 

 not take any lobster under 8 inches for a half, or 9 inches for a whole one. 



Is in favour of a close season commencing on the 12th May, and would close time. 

 resume fishing on the 1st September. Would throw back all lobsters under 

 8 inches. Gauge. 



The Scarpa men stop fishing in the summer months. But they can't stop 

 other men coming and fishing the neighbouring grounds. The Scarpa men 

 make more money by the lobsters than any other. Lobsters are more plentiful 

 at Scarpa than at any other place near here. 



David Macdonald. Has been fishing for lobsters for two years ; fishes Weather. 

 off Scarpa. The Scarpa men begin fishing in November, and stop at the 

 beginning of May. The coast of Scarpa is so rough that they keep other men 

 off it, but the strangers come and fish from the mainland. The coast is very 

 rough, but the fishermen watch for fine weather. In north-east and south- 

 east winds they can always fish. The Scarpa men are all against fishing in 

 summer and harvest time, and he agrees with them. 



Malcolm Kare. Has been fishing for 46 years for lobsters and all kinds % Q . 

 of fish in the West Loch. There were about 13 boats 46 years ago in the 

 West Loch. Does not know how many are there now. Gave up fishing 



