Pet Fish Disappear From Double Cove

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30961, 18 January 1966, Page 10

Pet Fish Disappear From Double Cove

GV.Z. Press Association) BLENHEIM, Jan. 17. The pet fish of Double Cove, in Queen Charlotte Sound, have disappeared. The snapper and blue cod which had been an attraction for tourists and holiday-makers from Picton for more than a decade have not come back this season. The fish usually moved from Double Cove after the first of the winter gales in May or June each year, and returned about the middle of December. Commercial launchmen from Picton fed them by hand as part of their daily passen-' ger and sight-seeing trips.

During the last two years, a few fish have stayed on, but the others have followed their normal routine of hibernating elsewhere. Under regulations of the Marine Department line fishing in Double Cove is prohibited. This is the only protection which the fish have, although strong efforts were made some years ago for absolute protection. On a recent visit to the cove one of Picton’s commercial launches noticed buoys floating in the water near the jetty where the fish were usually fed. It has been said that if long lines had been set the fish might have disappeared into somebody’s pot.