asked the Minister for Lands if he will make an order banning the catching of berry lobsters, in order to preserve the breeding stock of these valuable shellfish.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ban on Catching of Berry Lobsters.
15.
For the conservation of our valuable lobster stocks, I recently made an order declaring a new minimum size limit from the beginning of next month and I appealed for the full co-operation of fishermen in its application. I issued a statement in the matter a couple of weeks ago and perhaps I might quote an extract explaining that I am advised against making an order on the lines indicated in the question:
"Before the new order was made, special consideration was given to the question of prohibiting the taking of `berried' lobsters, i.e. female lobsters on which eggs are visible. The conclusion reached, however, was that it would be more effective to enforce a size limit which would permit of spawning, adequate for maintenance of the stocks, to take place before the lobsters attain that size. The removal of berried lobsters above that size should then have no adverse effect on the stocks. Every female lobster is a potential berried lobster and there would be little advantage in prohibiting the taking of a lobster which could be legally taken before becoming berried."
Is the Parliamentary Secretary serious? Does he not admit that berry lobsters are the source of all our lobster stock and does he suggest that young berry lobsters under a certain size are sufficient to provide us with a stock?
The size factor has been increased.
Why do we not follow the example of Britain and ban the catching of berry lobsters?
Our system is an advance on the British system.
Why cannot we do both?
We can do both under this.