THE QUINNAT SALMON

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3070, 4 May 1917, Page 3

THE QUINNAT SALMON

CATCHES-IN SOUTfiJJRN JUVERS,

"Tho acclimatisation of Sjio fJuinC a * salmon in Now Zealand water - ? is now thoroughly accomplished," said tbe Hon. G. W. llnssoll yesterday. "Tho.nsh hare boon coming up various rivers in. the South Island in considerable numbers. In fact, they have boon so numerous in one district that tho Acclimatisation Society made application for tho right to issuo liconses to take quinnat salmon. This request had to bo refused, as tho Marine Department, which controls sea • fisheries, was anxious that full supplies should be available for stocking other waters of tho Dominion. It has now been decided that in the coming season the Hokitika and tho AVairau Eivers are to be stocked, and a hatchery is to bo established at Pembroke, from -which point the MoJyneux River will be stoaked. I have given instructions that qumnat ova be distributed widely, in order that the fish may be obtainable at as. many points' as possible round our coasts.

"The Chief Inspector oE Fisheries (Mr. Ayson) lias supplied a report which contains a good deal of interesting information., Ho says that from information given by anglers, some of whom have, fished the Waitaki and the Rangitata all t>he season, it would seem that about 400 salmon havo been taken from the "Waitaki and about 200 from the Rangitata. Tho largest fish taken was 29jib., and ths average is stated to bo about 161b. According to those figures about three tons of salmon wore taken from the Waitaki Itiver and about a ton and a half from the Rangitata, between January 21 and March 31. "Mr. Ayson Tccomnieiids that next season angling for salmon in. certain rivers should be legalised, and that rivers in Which the fish have been taken in fair numbers should be declared salmon rivers, and that special licenses should be issued for the taking of-salmon in those rivers."