QUINNAT SALMON.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18234, 19 November 1924, Page 9

QUINNAT SALMON.

NETTING FOR MARKET, DEPARTMENT'S PROPOSALS. (srEciiuc. to "tee mlms.") TIMARU, November 18. This orcning a conference was held in Timaru between the Minister of Marino (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) and Departmental officials, and representatives of the North Canterbury, South Canterbury, and North Otugp Aeclimatwation Societies, to discuss a proposal by the Department to net quinnat salmon in the rivers for marketing, and to set aside reservations for anglers. The Minister said the Department had gono to considerable expense in introducing the lish, and now thought it was entitled to some of the remuneration resulting from the marketing, 'ihey wished to- discuss the fairest ana best way to make the charge, what rivers should ibe nutted and what rivers should bo- reserved for the aockeyes. Mr G. Godfrey, Secretary of Marine, said it was the wish of the Department to co-operates with the societies, and the Department now felt that some steps should be taken with regard to tho netting of quinnat salmon, which were now so plentiful as to make it possible for them to be netted as a food supply for tho public. It was also considered that the public wore entitled to some return from the money which had been spent in tho acclimatisation of tho fish,' AVith regard to the fear of tho societies that tho netting of salmon would increase tho netting and taking of- trout, ho could assure them that they would have the whole-hearted co-operation of the Department in preventing the netting of trout.

Mr L. F. Ayson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, further explained the Department's proposals with regard to the netting of the quinnat salmon. In reply to a question, Mr Ayson eaid the nets would not interfere with the running of the trout, as tho mesh used for the salmon would be largo enough to permit the trout to pass through. A discussiou ensued on the distance of the netting limit from the mouth of the, rivers, and the following reservations were agreed upon for anglers. Clutha rivea-—Mouth to two miles U P-. . . ■, YVaitaki—Mouth to a line between TJxbridge and Redcliffe. Eongitata—Mouth to railway bridge. Rakaia—Mouth to top end of Great Island (tentative). Waimakariri—Held oTer pending inspection of the river.

AVith regard to tli& method of netting, Mr Godfrey said it might be kept under strict control, and the licensing restricted to who could be r*lied upon, at any rate for this season, whioh was an experimental stago. The Minister agreed that where possible tho netting should be done by the Department, and otherwise licenses should be issued to selected men after consultation with tho society interested as to the applicant's trustworthiness and reliability. The penalty for a breach of faith would be cancellation of the license.

A lengthy discussion took placp upon tho matter of charges for licenses to market fish, and whether amateur fisher* men. should bo charged as well as professionals for. marketing licenses, at the conclusion of which the Minister said he took it that they wero all agreed that both anglers and professional fishermen fishing in the rivcra should bo charged for selling salmon. As there was considerable divergence of opinion as to iiie -charga to bo made, this matjter would have to be loft -to the Department to sottle, and they would consult the societies before bringing it into force. No extra fee would be charged to anglers for salmon unless for sale. The conference endorsed tho opinion that tourists from overseas should be charged a special foe. The Minister thanked the delegates for meeting him, and said he always had been in favour of having conferences with those affected, in such matters as those which had bees discussed.

During the evening Mr M. H. Godby thanked the Minister for having given them thq opportunity of meeting him. Some of them claimed to be something of experts in their own particular jobs, and he understood that the Government was always willing to reecive expert advice. What little they were able to give was always at the disposal of the Government if they cared to ask for it. (Applause.)