FISH CULTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1927, Page 1

FISH CULTURE

DIFFERING OPINIONS ON ACCLIMATISATION WORK. At tho regular meeting of the Acclimatisation Society last evening some divided, opinions were expressed in regard 'to tho value of trout in the streams, particularly in respect to the alleged harm done to the annual run of whitebait, the catching and canning of which afforded a considerable industry for the benefit of the district. The matter rope on receipt of the following letter from a number of persons engaged seasonably iti catching whitebait: We understand that you are about to make preparations for liberating a large quantity of trout and salmon in the livers of this district, blit before doing so, we respectfully urge your consideration of the following facts in connection therewith. Whitebait fishing has become most valuable to the district, and thousands of pounds arc earned during the season by whitebaiters. As is well-known, trout destroy enormous quantities of whitebait, in fact only for the whitebait the trout would starve, which means that the releasing of trout and similar fish, if eontinned, will result in Hie ultimate destruction of a valuable industry. From our own observation we know, that there is no lack of trout in the rivers and fo introduce more now seems to be- quite unnecessary and "wrong, and we earnestly urge that you should reconsider your decision.

For the whitehaitors of this district : Geo. Dale, AY. H. Wright. .T. McDonald, F. Saxon. F. AY. Brown, R„ O. Youngman and 21 others. Mr Perry (President) in speaking to the reception of the letter spoke at considerable length on the subject generally. He said from the information he had gleaned, about forty tons of whitebait were caught annually, and ihe value was between five and six thousand pounds sterling to the community. Before the advent of the trout, native fish swarmed. But greyling and smelts, as well as small flounders had disappeared. The whitebait were also being affected. It was for the Society to consider the relative and comparative value of the trout and whitebait to the district. The role from whitebait was a complete gain, but the little fish were diminishing, due partly to the large annual catch and partly to the trout. It was not wise to see any important food supply

ike whitebait jeopardised. The price

for whitebait ranged from Is 4d to fix fid per 11>. on the Christchurch market. To put more trout into the rivers to compete with flic whitebait was a mistake. Tbcir duty was the preservation and conservation of useful natural products and not to encourage dangerous exotics. He referred to the harm done to tho natural bird life bv the introduction, of certain birds, animals and vermin. The native birds were fast diminishing. Tho introduction of rabbits and deer had been a mistake, and the eountrv paid heavily for it. They required to look further ahead in those matters when introducing fish. Some enquiry should he made into the life and habits of the whitebait. Wrong had been done in the past, as was witnessed by the disappearance of the greyling. The meeting should pause and consider whether it would introduce more enemies to the whitebait in the shape of trout fry.

Air R. AA’ells thought if was an expensive way to try and keep up the food supply by introducing trout.

Air AA T . Peck said lie did not think the trout lived on the whitebait. There was no pollution of the rivers now by mining, yet when there was. the whitebait was plentiful. The report of the Government Department was to the effect that the greyling were returning to I lie North Island rivers.

The Chairman, said that greyling had disappeared completely from the South AA’estland rivers.

Air Braddon said he was greatly interested in the discussion, and went on lo refer that the native fish preyed largely on whitebait, giving an instance reported hy the Inspector of Fisheries. There were also the sea birds which preyed on the fish. If these fish, the kowhai and others and the seabirds could he prevented from taking the whitebait some good could he done. The small quantity taken hy the trout could have no effect. The whitebait spawn in the ocean and there are plenty of natural enemies there. ’lliev are a surface swimming fish, and are easily preyed upon. Then there were the cels and other enemies, and with his knowledge of whitebait the facts as they are should be faced and realised. AA’hilc the factories paid high prices for whitebait the fish must diminish. Now they were 20s or 30s a tin. In former years the price was 4s Gd. AA’hete there were ten fishermen there were now a hundred. This raid on the fish must decrease the number. The Society should not he led astray and placed in a ridiculous position. Actually the trout in the Hokitika river were practically nil. Not GOO had been taken this season. As regards the decrease in the native birds and the loss of the songsters, they must remember the trees were being cut out, and (lie birds were driven further hack for food and protection. Dr Teiehelmann said it was wellknown that the fish fed on one another. The trout were now established and there was good fishing in the south. The grayling had disappeared, but the trout were in their place. Trout was not the only enemy to tlie whitebait industry. There was the menace of the sawdust to he taken into account also. Sawdust was actually more injurious to the industry than the trout, and it was a question of either the trout or no fish at all. Mr Mclntosh said it was a. fact that the salmon industry was a great one in other countries, and introduced here salmon might prove a larger and better industry than the whitebait. Yet, even with whitebait canning operations had increased. All the rivers were now producing fish. Alany tons of fish were now coming from the south. where there were more fish than in the local river. In fact- both trout and whitebait- were less plentiful here of late years. It would he going hack on the past policy to stop the acclimatisation of trout-.

Mr Paterson said there was a short supply of trout here. Larger fish were in the south and more of them. A greyling was caught locally recently. AAliilst so intensively fished with set nets, the whitebait must diminish. Herring were a far greater enemy of whitebait than trout. Owing to the set nets in the Hokitika river the shoals of whitebait could not gci < 1 now.

Air Appleton thought after the effort and expense of 40 years there was not

much to show' in the way of trout. It was not possible to get a day’s fishing locally. Efforts should be in the direction of preserving the native fish. Mr Peek asked if the work of the .Society was not that of acclimatisation ? The Chairman, replied there was a danger of turning it into a destruction society. Mr Paterson said the fishing sport provided in New Zealand induced oversea vistors to come here and return again, giving the country a good and necessary advertisement. If efforts were made to preserve the whitebait in a reasonable way, the supply would last longer. Mr Appleton said it would he unjust and unreasonable to allow the whitebait to be destroyed for the sake of a few sports. Mr 11. Wells was of the opinion from his knowledge of the river that trout was as plentiful as over. In the upper regions of the Hokitika and Whitcombo rivers rainbow trout were very plentiful.

Mr Tt. Stuart said that recently IJ3O- - of trout: wore taken out of (ho Kokatahi river lately. Air "Brnddon referred to his former activities in the Society and said ho stopped when ho realised the menace of the pawdust to the whitebait industry. Tt was refreshing to see tlieir sawdust friends now taking such an interest in the welfare of the whitebait industry. He failed to see any trouble about the trout. Tn the Canterbury streams where the trout were enormous the whitebait were not disappearing.

Mr Evans moved that copies of the letter from the whitebait catchers ho sent to the Grey. Bullcr, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago Societies, also the* Inspector of Fisheries (Mr Ayson), and the Government Fisheries’ Expert (Mr Hefford) and their opinions and views asked in regard to the subject matter. Hr Teiehelnmun seconded. Carried.

Mr Braddon moved that G. A. Wood and Irvine and Stevenson be written to and asked for particulars 11s to the local catch of whitebait extending over 20 years. Mr Paterson seconded. Carried.

Air Appleton moved that the local Inspector of Fisheries he asked to furnish a return as Jo the quantity and value of whitebait taken locally for the past five years. Air TT. Wells seconded. Carried. The Chairman intimated on receipt of the foregoing information the matter would lie further considered, with a view to deciding as to the scope of this season’s hatching.