The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1927. ACCLIMATISATION WORK.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JUNE 13, 1927. ACCLIMATISATION WORK.

Thu modified decision of the W estland Acclimatisation Society last week regarding the question of trout versus whitebait appeared to give general satisfaction to the members. A mass of matter was collected regarding the depredations of the trout, and it seemed to lie established, as was generally believed to he the case, that the trout prey on the whitebait more or less seriously. The fact that the Societies on the East Coast are agitating for a close season for whitebait as a means to assure more feed for trout, is rather positive proof on the face of it, supported ns it was by the views of experts who confirm that general opinion. At the same time while the catch of whitebait varies from year to year, the cause is probably more natural than arifieial. For some senssons past very few- trout have been placed in the streams, but there has been the natural increase of the fish. The run of trout also fluctuates from year to year and any data to compare the effect of this on the whitebait would be of interest. The catch of whitebait to this eomunitv is of considerable value. Not only do the fish form a staple supply of food more or less cheap at a certain period of the year, but the fish is responsible for a canning industry, which means the distribution of considerable wealth among those engaged m it Mul in that connection it is of interest to note that the main hotly of catchers do not consider the trout a serious menace to the wlntebai . ° " ever it seems to stand to reason that the intensive catching of the whitebait, season after season, must lead to a diminution of the supply as time goes on. This is a phase which was not touched upon last week, but in the interests of the mruntenaee of the in-

dustry. ii would apply inevitable that there should be some restriction with the object, of preservation. The system of catching the fish with set nets means a fairly wholesale clearance in the rivers affected. Fortunately there are many streams not intensely fished, and that helps to save the situation. But in rivers where set nets are used without restriction it need not. he a surprise if the runs of fish are affected. It: would appear this is a matter the authorities should lake up in the direction of limiting the period in which set nets might be used. For where they are used there is very little escape for the fish, which does not give them the natural opportunity to increase. As regards the liberation of trout, an arrangement had lieou entered into for this season, with the Grey Society to carry on joint let ing. That is to he honored, hut the Westland share is to lie released mainly in tin' lakes. Trout have done well in Lake Kanieri, and in the streams running into those waters probably the hulk of the fry will lie liberated. Fry is to tie sent south also for the southern lakes which should ho ideal quarters for trout, and afford good fishing for visiting fishermen. In the interim it is proposed to continue the investigation of the whitebait question, and it would appear it would he a wise step for the Coast Societies to confer and go into the matter as it affects the various districts. The maintenance of the canning industry is of value to the district, and anything which can he done reasonably to preserve the main supply of the fish for that purpose, should he done. There is an obligation on the local Society to act in the host interests of the distinct as a whole. So far the consideration given lias been done in a very fair spi rit and with the evident intenton of doing the right tiling, and the opinions of both sides have teen respected very fairly. It can tie assumed therefore that while hastening slowly, the Society is bent on doing the right tiling in the right way, and it is commendable that the whole question is being so sensibly dealt with.