61 



haps, would count lobsters 4 inches in the barrel and upwards whole lobsters. LOBSTERS. 

 Would allow the 4 inch lobsters to count two for one, and would return all 

 below 4 inches. The gauge should be enforced in the public markets under a Gauge. 

 penalty, and should apply to the whole country and to all lobsters, from what- 

 ever quarter, brought into the home market. Has fished in 15 fathoms water ; 

 but has known fishermen fish in 20 fathoms. On sandy grounds lobsters are 

 larger but less numerous than on rocky grounds. Thinks that lobsters spawn 

 all the year round. Sent off this year 297 dozen lobsters, the produce of one 

 boat fishing for him off the island of Canna. Had four other boats fishing 

 for him — two at the Trishnish islands ; one at Loch Tua ; and one in Tober- 

 mory Bay and round Ardnamurchan. Believes that he has sent off this year 

 at least 1,000 dozen of lobsters. This, however, has been an exceptionally good Price. 

 j r ear as regards the take of lobsters, but prices have been low. The prices in 

 London were much higher when he first began fishing than they are now ; 

 thinks that this is in a great measure owingto the competition of the Norwegian 

 lobsters. Thinks that the islands of North Uist and Barra produce at least as 

 many lobsters as the island of Mull. Bunessan, Salen, and Tobermory are 

 the chief places for shipping the Mull lobsters. Thinks that lobsters stay 

 very much on their own grounds. Good lobsters are to be got in Loch Ewe 

 and Gairloch on the Ross-shire coast. Crabs are plentiful and good about CRABS. 

 Mull, but there is no market for them. Thinks that there should be a 5-inch ^o market 

 gauge for crabs. Gauge. 



Archibald Macdonald, general merchant, Tobermory. Has been ac- LOBSTERS, 

 quainted with the lobster fisheries, as a lobster buyer, for 25 years. Can 

 speak as to these fisheries around the islands of Mull, Rum, Coll, Tiree, Canna, 

 and Muck, and also around Ardnamurchan. The present year has been a pro- 

 ductive one generally, though in some places there has been a falling off. Is Decrease. 

 not prepared to say that the fisheries have fallen off much. Where there is an 

 experienced and hard-working crew, about as many lobsters are got now as 

 formerly. The Trishnish Islands, near Mull, have been closely fished for 30 Close time. 

 years, and they are still productive. Twenty-five years ago each boat would carry 

 40 creels ; now each boat will carry 60. They fish all the year round here, except 

 from the middle of November to the 1st March, when the weather is generally 

 too stormy. On the Atlantic seaboard of the Outer Hebrides there is no n eed 

 of a close time. Nature provides one, and the lobsters get a rest. On the Weather. 

 inner bays and lochs, which are sheltered from the Atlantic storms, and may 

 be fished all the year round, such as Gairloch, Loch Ewe, &c, a close time 

 might be advisable, If there is E to be a close time it should be restricted 

 to the months of July and August. Thinks that lobsters spawn principally Close time. 

 in these months, though berried hens are to be found all the year round. The Spawning. 

 close time should be enforced in the market, under a penalty, applying to 

 taking, buying, or selling. Thinks that there is no need of a fishery officer. 

 Is in favour of a gauge to apply to the whole kingdom. Would allow no Gauge. 

 lobster under 4 inches in barrel to be taken : all lobsters of 4^ inches and 

 upwards to count as whole lobsters, and those of 4 inches as half, or 2 for 1 

 lobsters. There is still good lobster fishing in Tobermory Bay, and around 

 the island that shelters it, though they have been closely fished. 



Gets the largest lobsters on sandy ground, but they are not numerous 

 on such ground. 12 fathoms is the deepest water in which they fish for 

 lobsters here, but larger lobsters might possibly be got by fishing in deeper 

 water, except in the summer months when they approach the shore. There 

 Are no artificial ponds in Mull for storing lobsters. Thinks they would not Ponds. 

 answer. The lobsters in them would get out of condition and be unfit for mar- 

 ket. Ships at least 1,000 dozen of lobsters annually from Mull and believes Supply of. 

 that the whole shipment by the various lobster merchants, in the island is 

 from 35,000 to 40,000 annually. When he first commenced business the 

 prices in London were much higher than they are now. Attributes this to the 

 competition of the Norwegian lobsters. This year he sometimes received only 

 5s. a dozen for lobsters — a ruinous price. 12s. per dozen is the lowest price that CRABS. 



pays him. There is a plentiful supply of crabs of good size and quality all 



about Mull, but there is no market for them. They will not carry to where there not carry ' 



is a demand for them, and there is no market for them here. 



