SARDINE FISHING

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1932, Page 6

SARDINE FISHING

GOOD HAULS IN HAURAKI GULF

THE FUTURE OF THE INDUSTRY

AUCKLAND, December 17

Owing to its seasonal nature, not much has been heard lately of sardinefishing in the Hauraki. Gulf. However, results that have been obtained in the past to months by Mr F. S. Petrie confirm all the earlier hopes of establishing a new and profitable industry.

Past summer very satisfactory catches were secured by Mr Petrie, who gained his knowledge of night sardine-fishing many years ago off the coast of his native Dalmatia. He used a specially imported incandescent kerosene lamp of 2000 candle-power mounted upon a launch, and a finemeshed net 1000 ft long and 100 ft in depth, operated from two large dinghies.

Fishing had to be discontinued last 'March, but on resuming at the end ol October, a seven days' cruise yielded 0 tons 7cwt of fish, net weight, after cleaning in readiness for salting. A second cruise a month later was unfortunate, for two lrge barracouta became entangled in the net and did a good deal of damage. On the following night the net fouled an unchartertd rock pinnacle and was more severely torn, with the- result that tho expedition had to return to port after making only two hauls. However, the catch amounted to a little over a ton. When salted, the fish caught on the two trips filled 310 small barrels. It will have to mature in brine for seven months before being fit for marketing. Mr Petrie expects to find a ready sMe for the present summer’s catch, in Now Zealand, Australia and further afield.