AERIAL SURVEY OF LOCAL FISHING GROUNDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4505, 16 September 1930, Page 3

AERIAL SURVEY OF LOCAL FISHING GROUNDS.

T , A lilt. 'l\ MiAIDCiiE INTERESTED. Last week Mr. Mjadge, who is considering trawling off this portion of the coast made an aerial survey of the coast in a machine piloted by Lieutenant .1. Buekeridge. The ’plane flew four or five miles out. to sea and covered ti si rip down the coast line. Although conditions were not altogether favourable, an excellent view was gained from a height of 7000 feel, and Mir. Madge was able to learn much about the drift of currents, ami was able to pick out snag’s and shallows. Mr. Madge stated that this preliminary survey of grounds from ihe air would certainly be of assistance to him. What had given him the idea to make the flight was seeing observation balloons trailing behind torpedo-boat destroyers during the war. “These were used in looking for ‘tinned lish,’ so why shouldn’t we look for other fish from the air?” he remarked.

Several attempts have been made at various times to establish -fishing on regular lines, but it lias 'been found Hint the lack of safe shelter and anchorage lias always been against the proposal. While boats find do difficulty in putting out to s-ea there is always an uncertainly about getting back. The weather alters so rapidly outside that before the boats can get inside again the bar is often found impossible. It is not so long ago that the Harbour Board’s Pilot (Captain C. Larsen) had an experience of this nature. He had

sounded the bar and gone a mile or so out when without warning’ the weather turned rough. Tremendous seas on the bar prevented any attempt at crossing and it was only by superb seamanship that he was able to make the shelter of Kapiti Island after a trying lime and when mil hope of his safe return had been given up. Kapiti Island provides the only shelter along this coast and for this reason it is doubtful if the proposal outlined above will lie successful. Of fish there is an abundance and there is also a reef along this coast some miles out where cod can be caught in abundance. It is hard to locate however, but. it was well known to the Maoris of these parts in years gone by.