LETTER:Saving small fry
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.From Mr Roger Holmes
Sir: Legislating on the minimum size of lobster that may be landed may not be bizarre but it is not the only approach to the problem of conservation (letter, 5 February).
Round about the 1870s, Canada's east coast lobster fishery was in serious trouble from overfishing. They, too, found that it was the larger lobsters that were most important for stock regeneration through breeding. The authorities accordingly allowed the fishermen to land as many small lobsters as they liked but ordered them to return those above a certain size to the sea. Within a few years, so I believe, the fish became so plentiful that the price fell to the point where they were being ground up for fish meal!
The Bretons, who were particularly interested in our crayfish, had another approach. Instead of returning under-sized fish to the sea they fattened them on fish meal before selling them on. Indeed, a visitor to Concarneau, circa 1870, found them applying this principle to several other types of fish.
Yours faithfully,
Roger Holmes
Liskeard, Cornwall
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments