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herring season this year — I suppose manned by those not able to get 
boats and gear to go to the herring fishing. The Sea Houses 
fishermen sav that the Beadnel men come north in the autumn 
and go south in the spring, there is no recognised boundary. 
Here, as elsewhere along the coast then, with the diminution of 
line and of herring fishing, there has been an increase in the crab 
and lobster fishing to the detriment of the latter. 
Trout fishing is indulged in to a slight degree. No license is 
required, hut there are few fish. 
Haddock Fishing. — As Mr. King’s evidence shows, this has 
greatly decreased. 1 was told that with 1000 hooks the average catch 
for four days recently was 15-10 stone of haddocks, codling, plaice, 
and dabs. The number of haddocks would be about 97 in such 
a catch. Fifteen years ago 100-120 per boat with a less number 
of hooks could be got. The fishermen, as has been seen from the 
evidence of Mr. King, point out the great destruction of small fish 
by the trawlers. The fishing ground is much the same, but close 
to shore, about one mile off, is very regularly fished now-a-days, 
while four miles out used to be the best place. 
Grabs and Lobsters. — The fishermen are quite convinced of the 
necessity for a close time for the “berried hen,” and would welcome a 
bye-law prohibiting the taking of the “berried hen” at any time and 
all times. The lobsters have very much decreased in number. The 
ground fished upon is, of course, very much more extensive. The 
pots, 24 years ago, were 18 fathoms apart and separate; now, in 
fleets they are placed 10 fathoms apart. 
Herring Fishing. — The trawlers, as before, are said to prevent 
the net fishermen getting on to the ground, and do not yield to the 
“ drifters.” As many as 15 were seen trawling around on one 
ground. The trawlers are. blamed for breaking up the shoals and 
destroying the spawn of the herring. 
The bait is obtained from Budle Bay as at other places 
mentioned, 22 baskets going to the ton. 
Railway rates, as at other places, were said to be too high, and 
for the same reasons. 
Beadnel, llth October. 
The Vicar (Rev. C. F. Thorp) was chairman. There was an 
attendance of 22. 
Number of Boats and Men. — The herring boats as at other 
places are now larger. There were G boats this year, employing 8G 
men. Thirty-five years ago there were 22 boats employing 4 to 5 
