 © James SmithLoch Roag, the large sea loch in which Bernera is situated is famous for its shell fish, and since the beginning of the 19th century, lobster fishing has been a major livelihood for Bernera men.
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Although the scale of fishing, size of boat, number of creels etc. has expanded over the years, the basic method has remained the same. Before the early 1800's, most fishing of any kind was for domestic consumption. Boats large enough to work offshore were not available and markets were out of reach. The only fishing with any commercial aspect was for herring, cod and ling. This was done largely by men from the mainland. The herring fishing was cyclical with periods of abundance followed by barren years. In the report for the Old Statistical Account for 1796 no mention is made of lobster fishing, but in the report for 1833 it was stated that 100,000 lobsters had been sent south from Loch Roag. At this time, agents from outside Lewis who had access to markets on the mainland sent the live catch south in smacks with wells of sea water in the hold. Some present day boats have had a 'vivier' system fitted. This fulfils the same function as the welled smack but has the sea water pumped through, so re-oxygenating the water. Lorries transporting the lobsters to markets on the Continent also have these 'vivier' tanks fitted.
The two methods of catching lobster are the Inshore method, whereby single pots are hauled by hand and; the offshore method, where strings of 40-100 creels are worked in one line. Modern lobster boats have up to 2000 pots which they haul day and night, covering the seabed with a blanket of traps. Once an area has been cleaned the boats move on to another. The boats used at the present time have all modern conveniences - stoves, fridges, good sleeping accommodation, television and short wave radio.
Lobsters can be kept for up to 2 weeks in a box left floating in the sea; for longer periods a cage is better - they can move around and feed. Today the lobsters are sent by air to markets in London and abroad. The minimum size for sale is 85 mm length of carapace, and the price can vary from £6 - £18 per kilo depending on the season.
For more details, see www.HebrideanConnections.com
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