annually as fish which had spawned in one year were observed 
to have no spawn the following year. This has again been 
noted as all the above females which had spawned in 1916 
showed no indication of breeding in 1917. This of course may 
be due to the fish being kept in captivity, but it at least in- 
dicates the possibility of its being a natural occurrence. 
The following is the result of the experimental hauls during 
temporary close season 15th May to 15th June, 1917. 
Fifteen hauls were made (No. 51 to 65) during this season. 
In each haul four nets were used and these were down for ten 
minutes. Certain definite areas indicated in the accompanying 
diagram, were selected and these were visited at intervals. 
All the areas were examined as far as possible about the same 
date. These areas were as follows :— 
South East of Robben Island. 
East of Robben Island. 
South of Robben Island. 
Between Robben Island and Mainland. 
Blaauwberg Strand (N.) 
Blaauwberg Strand (S.) 
New River Mouth. 
Salt River Mouth, off Milnerton. 
Woodstock Beach. 
Green Point. 
Clifton. 
Oude Kraal. 
Nee a) it eS Om > 
On the 16th May no fish were found at Woodstock Beach 
(Area I) but nine males in hard old shell were found at Salt 
River Mouth. Five of these were from two to three inches, 
the rest four to seven inches, three females being found in 
hard old shell. There were no fish at the New River Mouth 
nor at Blaauwberg Strand (Area F). 
On the 18th May the more northern localities selected 
were visited and at the northern part of Blaauwberg Strand 
24 large (5-7 inches) males were found but no females. No 
fish were procured between Robben Island and the Mainland. 
At Robben Island (Area B) 19 males and 29 females were 
found all apparently in hard new shell. They were all fairly 
large fish. 
On the 30th at Oude Kraal 72 males were procured, the 
majority of them being about 3 inches. Females were absent. 
Up to this time no females in shawn were observed, but, on the 
Ath June, in a total haul of 43, about half were females and 
of these 14 were in berry and one in soft new shell. It is of 
interest to note also that at the same time and place about an 
equal number of males were found. On the same date at 
Green Point crawfish were very scarce, only one large male 
in hard old shell being found and no females. At Granger 
Bay (near the Breakwater) males and females were in abun- 
[C.P. 3—1918] 
