WHITEBAITING

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1932, Page 2

WHITEBAITING

SUGGESTED HEX; U RATIONS

CHIEF INSPECTOR AT HOKITIKA

Over a hundred whitebait fishermen assembled at the County Chambers at Hokitika yes ft relay when Mr A. E. Hefford, Chief inspector of Fisheries was present, nod discussed the propped amendment ,o the regulations with the men who representetl all paits of the district. Mr -I. O’Brien, AI.P., wag voted to the chair, and outlined the object of the meeting, in most instances, whmo the regulations appertained to toe district they weie

approved. Mr Medford briefly addressed the meeting, stating that the • amended regulations had been drawn up as the old one,, had no:, fully covered tin: position. lie inv! 1 d the men to submit their opinions . iid advice 011 the different matters. The regulations were considered as follow “That ill the South Island, the period from December to duly lb shall be close for whitebai ing.—Apcroved. Mr Cutbush 11 ,ked if this would mean that fishermen would have to build, the trenehe; on duly 15. The Inspector: Not necessarily. Jt was submitted that the inspector would compel tin* men to build their

trenches. The Inspector: I am no cuild. Mr Catbneh ami Mr 0. Howe each moved amendments changing the dates of the season, hut they were defeated. Regarding licenses tor fishing, selling, canning and the. pitreh uing of whitebait fro .1 li.von-.o holders, the Inspector said it was not proposed t‘» bring them into farce until duly 193 d, although Mr F. Newman suggested that they lie d; C-rred inde.'mdely. There was 1 omsiderabl discussion over the (jiieftion of licenses. An amendimni by Air Cr.tbush tves ruled out. but one by Mr E. W. J-leermri, (lint trenches be licen-etl at a. fee and that hanMiets he free wars approved. It was also recommended that all licenses should lie carried by the licensee and l*e produced on demand.

The limit of whitebait permitted to be ranght in any one day was; in-

creased from two to four c -, arV, •for hand nets, while the diameter was set at a maximum of 3 feet, and H was reeoinended to the Departjnaent, that set nets at Lake Alaliina-

pua be 1 iiiiitoil to 14 lent i» Ml'-urn* ference.

“That the use of "jiggers” or eimi ilar' device for the purpose of turning ti-h into the net be prolub.ti'cl. —Approved. ! Air Cut bush raised the question of fishermen .stoning the fish into the net. Mr Holley slating that'this wait practiced in the Creek, otherwise some might not catch any. Tile Inspector .said that this matter did not apply.

Regulation* dealing with the restricted use of groynes, and allocation of positions were approved, there, being considerable discussion on the clause stating that each person having ~ registered position shall use ills groyne or trench for whitebait fishing on at least four days each week during the whitebait sen 011 mile * prevented by illness, Hoods or other reason which the jivpoctor of 1' isherieu considers sudicieni ; iaiiing which Ins right to the position shall be forfeited and in *ucli events may be allocated to the next applicant. j Regarding the clause deeming it unlawful for a person having a registered groyne or trench to fish at another groyne or trench without giving notice of the abandonment of his regis-. terod position MrCutbush recommended that a partnership should he ul- j lowed. |

The Inspector suggested that a provision be inserted to allow ‘pals to . d&.jst each other, but more than two ■ would cause trouble. The local Imre, lor outlined the position s.K i. a fleet "d tlm lisherincn M, ; favoured the paipncrship idea, and would approve provided the trenches were adj-hnmg, and that the nets were only allowed in one trench as the petition rllccted. Tile regulation dealing u 'lh 1 * K ‘ use of a boat, stationery or mbennse ,vhero groynes, etc., were in use, was held over. The remaining clause* were approved n-iih a lev. minor Miggf.dc*l recommendations.