:aeiine biological station at tort etun. 



47 



crab and lobster question seems to require investigation 

 and discussion in the Isle of Man, possibly with legislation 

 in view. There can be little doubt bnt that regulations as 

 to the crabs and lobsters that it is proper to catch wonld 

 ultimately result in benefit to the fishery, and any size 

 limits determined on should, if possible, be not less than 

 those enforced in the Lancashire and Western District, 

 which covers the fisheries of eight maritime counties, 



Fig. 19. The rocky shores of Port Erin, where the Lobster and 

 Crab Pots are set. 



The majority of the fish we eat from the sea (with 

 the exception of the Herring) produce, in enormous quan- 

 tities, eggs that are very minute and transparent and 

 which float freely in the open sea. These are known as 

 " pelagic," and the eggs of Cod, Haddock, Whiting and 

 their relations, and of Sole, Plaice, Flounder and other 

 related flat fish are of this kind. It is these pelagic eggs 

 of our most important food fishes that can be obtained in 

 millions at the spawning season, and can be hatched 



