FISHING AT LAKE ELLESMERE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11482, 15 January 1903, Page 2

FISHING AT LAKE ELLESMERE.

DISCUSSION AT THE ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

Mr G. B. Ritchie, who visited Lake Ellesmere with Mr Ayson, Inspector of Fisheries, reported at a meeting of the Acclimatisation Society yesterday that seven men were at present earning a living at fishing, but that the flounder industry wae practically dead, and would still further diminish when the proposed new outlet is constructed. He thought the only way to conserve the fishing would be to close the Lake for some years, so as to give botth trout and flounders a chance. As the Lake could not stand unlimited netting the report suggested that if any licenses were isstred they should be strictly limited in number.

Mr Hunt, secretary of the Canterbury Anglers' Society, wrote protesting against the present depletion of the fish supply of the Lake, which was a nursery for the Selwyn and Rakaia rivers. Mr G. B. Ritchie said he had kept clear of the question of the sale of fish, and had simply placed ascertained facts before the meeting. Mr Clark eaid it .was a question of seven professional fishermen as against 500 anglers. Mr Sloman said that Lake Ellesmere was the very last Lake in which drag netting should "be allowed.

Dr. Moorhouse, who had discussed the question with Mr Ayson, and with th« Anglers' Society, said that the latter were unanimous that there should be no netting whatever as regarded Lake EHesmere. In his opinion the arguments of the Anglers' Society were extremely strong, and if the fishermen had their rights, the anglers also had theira. Both had several hundred pounds worth of huts, boats and tackle, and all this would be -useless if netting were legalised, for in a certain number of years the lake would be depleted of fish. He suggested a conference with the Anglers' with tb« view eitlier to getting netting strictl" or else abolished altogether. Mr It. D. nuimai. ..*iid it had struck him that the anglers thought that the Acclimatisation Society wae opposed, to them. Hβ had euggested that both bodies might well work together in the matter. Mr Sloman thought the matter of netting lakes had better be reserved for the new Acclimatisation Conference. There were many lakes in Canterbury which might advantageously be netted. Dr. Moorhouse suggested that the Government might be approached, with the view of shutting up Lake Ellesmere altogether, amd compensating the seven fishermen.

Mr G. B. Ritchie said he thought about £500 would cover the matter.

After some discussion Dr. Moorhouse moved that Mr Ayson be communicated with, and assured "that in the opinion ot thie Society the netting of Lake EUesmere would very seriously impair the trout fishing in the Selwyn, R&kaia and Southern riveTS, and that h* take this into serious consideration when framing hie report to the Government. Mr Olark seconded the motion, which was carried. Dr. Moorhouee also moved—" That this meeting requests the delegates of the Conference and Mr Ayson to represent strongly to the Governmerl the necessity of compensating uhe fishermen and closing Lake Ellesmere to net fishing." This was seconded by Mr B. D. Harman and agreed

to. The meeting decided to place on record ite appreciation of Mr G. B. Bitchde's efforts in framing bis report.