60 



CRABS. 



Will not carry. 



LOBSTERS. 



Decrease. 



LOBSTERS. The Mull lobsters are very good in size and quality, though not quite equal to 

 those from the island of Barra, which he believes to be the largest in Scotland. 

 The lobsters from the mouth of Loch Sunart are large and fine, but not 

 numerous. Got one there last summer upwards of 7 lbs.' weight. The chief 

 lobster grounds in this district are the south and west coasts of Mull, the 

 Trishnish islands, the Torren rocks, and Iona. Does not think there would be 

 much opposition to a close time among the fishermen here, especially when they 

 began to see its advantages. There are a good many crabs about Mull ; but 

 they won't carry to the English market. They are chiefly got in the lobster 

 creels. They are well sized, but somewhat watery. Those got in the crevices 

 of the rocks are of better quality. Crabs don't keep like lobsters ; they are 

 much more delicate. 



William Sproat, writer, procurator fiscal, Tobermory. Has been 30 

 years resident in Tobermory, during which time he has paid considerable 

 attention to the lobster fisheries around Mull and the neighbouring islands. 

 Lobsters are not nearly as plentiful as formerly, and, on an average, not above 

 half the size. Places that were productive fishing grounds when he first came 

 to Mull, are now almost exhausted ; for example, Tobermory Bay and as far 

 round as Caillach Head. Is quite certain that a lobster ground of moderate 

 extent may be almost entirely exhausted by over-fishing ; and such a ground, 

 when once exhausted, is very difficult to restock, as lobsters keep very much to 

 their own grounds. For instance, he does not think that a lobster belonging 



Migration. to Tobermory Bay would go far outside its own grounds. A close time for 



lobsters, and a gauge, are imperatively called tor to restore the fishings. 



Close time. Neither would be sufficient separately. Their combination is absolutely neces- 



sary. The close time should be that of the old Act of George II., from 1st June 



Spawning. to 1st September. Lobsters breed all the year round ; but the summer season 



is best adapted for propagation. Does not consider the enforcement of the 

 close time in the public markets, under a penalty, directed against taking, 

 buying, or selling to be sufficient. Would also have a fishery officer ap- 

 pointed for the Mull district, who should have authority to examine the fishing 

 grounds during the close months, and also the boats, creels, &c. during the 

 fishing season. It should be the duty of this officer not only to see that the 

 close time was strictly observed, but also that the gauge was adhered to. Is 



Gauge. m favour of a 5-inch barrel gauge, and would return all lobsters to the sea 



under that size, and would prohibit the admission of all foreign lobsters to the 

 British market under that size. The fishery officer should have power to seize 

 brevi manu all lobsters under the prescribed size. The custom-house officer at 

 Tobermory might easily act as fishery officer also, without at all neglecting his 

 more peculiar duties. For this additional work he should get 15Z. a year salary 

 and an allowance of 5s. when obliged to be from home for a night. When he 

 first remembers the fisheries there were not half as many boats engaged on 

 them as at present. Remembers when there were only three or four boats 

 belonging to Tobermory that prosecuted the lobster fisheries thoroughly. 

 Then each boat carried only from 20 to 25 creels ; now each boat carries more 

 than double that number. This increase in the amount of fishing gear is neces- 

 sitated by the scarcity of lobsters. With the old amount of fishing gear the fisher- 

 men could not earn a living. Agrees with the preceding witness, in his con- 

 demnation of the artificial ponds for keeping lobsters. The Barra lobsters are 

 the finest that are brought to Tobermory. Wishes to express his opinion that 

 the object of the present Commission will be fully attained if it should result in 

 the enactment of a close time and a gauge combined. The combination of the 

 two is essential and for the benefit both of the fisherman and the consumer. 



Neil Macquarrie, formerly a fisherman, and now a fish merchant in Tober- 

 mory. Was a practical fisherman for 20 years, and is now a buyer. His 

 experience of the lobster fisheries extends not on]y to Mull, but also to North 

 Uist, Benbecula, and Barra. The last-named island produces about the best 

 lobsters in Scotland. Lobsters are decreasing in number and in size 



Decrease. through over-fishing. Does not, however, see the necessity of a close time; 



a gauge is the true remedy ; but if there is to be a close time would restrict it 



Gauge. to the months of July and August. A gauge is imperatively required. They 



are catching far too small lobsters at present, less than 3 inches in the barrel. 

 .At least a third of the lobsters sent off from Mull are the two-for-one lobsters. 

 Would take no two-for-one lobsters ; would return them all ; or rather, per- 



Creels. 



Ponds. 



