FISHERY RESOURCES

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2175, 13 June 1914, Page 6

FISHERY RESOURCES

CANADIAN EXPERT'S VIEWS

A FORECAST OF HIS REPORT

(By Tolcffraph.—Bcecial OorrcsDondeTit.l Christchiirch, June 12. In an interview this evening, Professor Prince, the Canadian fisheries oxpcrt, who is reporting to the Government on the fisheries resources of New Zealand, stated, that the main points of his report upon Now Zealand's needs would bo as follow:—

1. Greater enterprise in fishing operations and improved ships and gear. 2. Better methods of handling fish with a view t-o the preservation of their appearance and cdiblo qualities. They could be landed on the niarkot as fresh fisk>by the use of a chilling chamber on the boats. This would bo preferable to freezing them. »

3. Facilities for rapid transportation should be increased throughout tho Dominion, so that catches could be placed on, the market with the least loss of time. 4. Largo central markets should be established for tho disposal of fish in both wholesale, and retail fashion. This work should preferably be undertaken by municipalities. . Importance of Herrings. In his report also, Professor Prince will make very special reference to the attempts hitherto made by the Government to introduco tho sea herring of the Northern Hemisphere into their waters. "I think the attempt made," he said today, "was a splendid one, and I regret xhat it did not prove a success." I proposo to include in my report to the Government a very important proposal with respect to the introduction ot this northern herring on a large wale, and am confident that the suggestion which I 6hall hiako will ensure' success. I am not at liberty to give any details at present, but I attach unusual importance to tho introduction of tho herring into these waters for these reasohsU) The herring .of tho north is an exceedingly fine fish, and is universally esteemed as ail article of iliet. It can be cured, smoked, pickled, or eaten fresh, . and there is an unlimited market for it, so that commercially it is a very important fish in itself. (2) Of hardly less importance is tho fact that wherever tho herring abounds other very valuable food fish abound. There is no greater attraction to deep sea fish than herring schools in-shore. There havo been cases where, when tho herrings have gone, other valuable deep sea fish Have gone too. -In short, it is a known fact that there is a close connection between tho presence of herrings and other valuable tood 'fishes, .and therefore the best of results would follow the introduction of the herring into these waters." ' Salmon for Westland. Referring to the West Coast rivers, Professor Prince said:—"l do not see any reason-in the world why within a very few years there should not be established upon the rivers of West-land a very profitable salmon fishing industry. The conditions of its rivers and climate bear a great resemblanco to the salmon rivers of the Pacific Coast, and once a proper system of acclimatisation is adopted'salmon fishing on a' commercial scale might easily bo established. The prospects of wealth here aro very great. British Columbia has only six or eight rivers which are fished for salmon, and vet theso rivers give -her an annual "yield of from £1,500,000 to £2,000,000, and employment to a very largo number of. fishermen and packing hands."

"That the salmon can be acclimatised," continued the Canadian expert, "has been proved by Mr. Ayson, of your Fishery Department. After many years .of effort'he has established-in these waters the. 'quinnat,' a very fino Pacific salmon for maJiy successive years. He brought amplo supplies of spawn and deposited tliem in the different New Zealand liatcheries, gnd liberated tho young fisli season after season in suitable localities. His success is boyond question, for in this very season there have been secured, I suppose, 1,500,000 eggs from fish bred in New Zealand waters. This fish is a most important one, and what has been done -with the quinnat salmon can lio dons with tho commercial salmon from British Columbia. Of these there" are two varieties, tho ,'Rockeye' and the 'Coho.' Onco these are established they wilj multiply amazingly.' An important point to rc~ member is that these fish do not feed in the rivers, so that it is quite possible to havo tlio river stocked with game fish as well. The salmon sin\ply comes in from the sea and go up . the river to spawn, and then away'again. Salmon fishing (concluded the Professor) should certainly, bo established on tlio West Coast."