Whitebait

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1921, Page 4

Whitebait

srPRUKS DECREASING

CLOSE SEASON’S BROPOSF/D. CHRISTCHFRCH, Dec. 22.

The Southland Acclimatisation Society wrote tn the Council of the North Canterbury Society last night, stating that the annual run of whitebait in tlio Dominion has fallen off in volume for some years and that those fish are rio longer prcorable in quantity. “This bits not only the fishermen, professionals and amateurs, who used to find the industry :i profitable one. but also the public- and tin* Acclimatisation Societies— the public by the depreciation of a much appreciated delicacy, and the societies by the decrease in food supply available for trout in (ivers and streams.” the letter stated. “Even professional fishermen agree that sonic protection is required for whitebait. This society is urging on the Minister for Marine that close seasons, alternating with open seasons, should lie instituted, the first close season starting in 1922. In the interests of acclimatisation we ask your hearty co-opera-tion.” Mr E. F. Stead said that many years ago he had urged a close season for whitebait. There is no (doubt that their numbers in Canterbury bad liccn greatly reduced. They could not stand the racket caused by fishers and trout. Some protection should be given to them. He was satisfied that they spawned in the streams and that the fry wont k* sea when they were very small and ! returned to the stream as the whitebait known to everybody.

Mr R. Speight said that, littlo was known ahout whitebait and their hah its. They should bo tlio subject of scientific 1 investigation. The remark able disappearance of whitebait from West Coast rivers showed that the scarcity was caused by something a part from fishing as many rivers there w< e not fished at all. 11 was derided that members of the council should discuss the position with Mr Wood, of Hokitika, who is engaged in the whitebait industry, and that further consideration of the question should he postponed.