THE WHITEBAIT REGULATIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3987, 22 August 1929, Page 2

THE WHITEBAIT REGULATIONS.

DISCUSSED BY PUBLIC MEETING.

A public meeting convened by Mr. P. Daniells, of Manawatu Heads, to discuss the proposed new whitebait regulations, was held in Mi’. Kelleher’s store at the Beach on Tuesday evening. Mr. Daniells presided and there was a large attendance of Beach residents and a number of those interested in the matter were also present from Foxton. Mi’. Daniells, in opening the meeting, outlined the proposed regulations which had been formulated by the Government governing the fishing for whitebait throughout the Dominion. Two clauses he did not consider in the best interests of those concerned in the industry. The regulation governing the intervals of space between nets needed some alteration. This regulation read:

“No person shall use a set-net within a distance of 2 chains, mea- e sured along the direction of the stream, from a set-net already in use by another person. Provided that, where two license-holders mutually agree, their set-nets may be placed at a less distance than 2 chains. No person shall use a handnet within a distance of 5 yards from the net of another person already engaged in fishing with a liand-net, or within 10 yards from a set-net already placed in position for fishing.” This regulation, if brought into force it was considered by the meeting, would practically prevent a set-net fisherman from catching any bait as the man with the scoop net could operate within ten yards of the mouth of a set-net and so scare off the whitebait. It was resolved on the motion of Messrs C. Jensen and J. Taylor that this regulation be amended to read “two chains between all nets whether hand or set.”

The other regulation which was discussed was the following:— “The following periods are hereby prescribed as close seasons during which no person shall fish or take, or be in possession of, whitebait for purposes of sale: —In the North Island, from the Ist day of November in any year until the 14th clay of August following, both days inclusive.”

The meeting considered that the season should open earlier than the date provided in the proposed regulation and on the motion of Messrs C. Jensen and Tatana it was decided to recommend that the season open on August Ist and close on November 30th of each year, both days inclusive. It was decided to forward copies of the resolutions passed to the Minister of. Marine.

The general opinion of those present was that the drain should be left to the visitors to the beach and ethers in search of whitebait for private consumption who would be allowed to operate therein with scoop nets only. 'lf these fishermen were taken off the river front by being able to operate in the drain those fishing for a living would be able to fish unmblested on the river front.