WHITEBAIT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1927, Page 4

WHITEBAIT

1 AN INTERESTING TREATISE. 1 Air D. Hope, Curator of the Fisheries 1 Department of Christchurch, writes to 1 the Secretary of the Grey District Ae--1 climatisation Society as follows: Dear Sir,—About fifteen years ago, f heard so many opinions expressed as to what our whitebait (Galaxias attenuatus) really was, that i procured some live whitebait, and kept them in captivity in a small pond, under natural 1 conditions, and proved to my own satisfaction that they are the young of the Maori “ Inauga,” and also that their growth is extremely rapid. As this controversy has again arisen, I have made the same experiment this season, and procured early running whitebait on the 17th August, placed them in a small pond under natural conditions, kept a specimen as whitebait, and then took a specimen at intervals of throe, weeks to note their growth, up to twelve weeks. As this subject may he of interest to your Council I am forwarding the specimens to you for your inspection. I will also include an adult specimen, which I have kept in captiv- | ity for two years, and is probably the | maximum size which they attain. Those familiar with the immense runs of whitebait which took place forty years ago can not fail to notice the gradual failure which has taken place up to the present time. This cause is due to the increase in population, and the increased demand for whitebait as a table delicacy, with the result that' the stock is being depleted by over fishing. They are a very valuable national asset as a food supply, and unless steps are taken by the Marine’ Department to conserve them, it is only a question of time when they will, he exterminated. At present there is not even a defined season. They are taken from the time they make iheir. first appearancee until they cease running. and few, in comparison, are allowed to escape up-stream to return again in the autumn as adult “Tnariga” to the sea to perpetuate their species. The specimens referred to are on view in the window of Star Stores, ! Revell Street, and are proving of very great interest. I