New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1877.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5044, 24 May 1877, Page 2

New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY.) THURSDAY, MAY 24, 1877.

Some attention has recently been paid in this colony to pisciculture, with a view to stocking our rivers with firstclass river fishes from Europe and other parts of the Northern Hemisphere. It is worthy of remark that neither the true salmon (the Salrao salar), nor any of his congeners, are found south of the Equator, unless they have been introduced and acclimatised. These truly excellent fish are found only in the rivers of Britain, Europe, North America, and the North of Asia. Those mighty rivers in Europe, Asia, and America especially, which discharge their water's into the Northern Ocean, literally teem with the various species of salmon. Sir John Franklin, iu his Arctic explorations, and other Arctic explorers, speak of the abundance of these fish in the Northern rivers. The salmon of America differ slightly from those of Continental Europe and the British Isles, and those of the more northern rivers from both, but they all agree in the general characteristics of the Salmonidae. The true homo of this valuable species appears to be north of the 30th parallel in Europe, and of the 45 ih in the New World. South of these parallels, we believe, it has never been found, unless acclimatised, as we have already remarked. From the earliest times the flesh of the salmon species has been highly prized by epicures. Time was when it formed an important article of food in Britain in all localities situated near a salmon river. But these good old times have long since passed away, and now salmon sells readily in the London and other markets at Is. a pound. Of late 3 T ears the supply of salmon from the British rivers lias greatly diminished, owing to the continual pollution of the rivers by the introduction into them of poisonous matters from the numerous factories established on their banks, and also from wholesale and indiscriminate fishing. In fact, so (general had the destruction of salmon become, especially in the English rivers, that many formerly celebrated for the abundance and quality of their salmon had ceased to produce fish in sufficient quantities to pay, and from others tiiey had entirely disappeared. The Salmonidae maybe divided in respect of their habits into two classes, the migratory and non-migratory. The largerand more valuable species, as the true salmon, are migratory, leaving the rivers for the sea for several months iu the year ; the non-migratory, or smaller species, remaining continually in fresh water. The growth of the salmon during the period of its sojourn in the sea is very rapid, as it frequently increases several pounds in weight in a short time. Where the fish go to when in sea water is not known ; it is indeed one of the great mysteries in salmon life not yet solved. True it is that salmon have never been caught in the sea. The salmon fisheries of Scotland and Ireland are of great value, and are for the most part the property of the landed proprietors whose lands adjoin the streams. Many thousands of pounds are paid annually to these proprietors for the right of fishing in the streams. The fisheries are regulated by law, and the most stringent enactments are now in force to prevent the destruction of the salmon by over-fishing, or by taking the fish out of season, or by destroying the young fish. The love of the salmon for its native stream is peculiarly strong, leading it to return unfailingly to the same river by which it made its advent to the sea. The purpose for which it returns to the fresh water is to deposit its spawn. While thus fulfilling the ■great object of its existence, viz., the reproduction of its species, it becomes very lean. It comes from the sea fat and increased in size and growth, but it returns emaciated and unfit for food. In all sahnonriversnovv there is a “close season,” during which it is illegal to fish ; although the law is frequently infringed, and tons of unwholesome salmon are thus taken and sold for food. Great attention has been paid of lato years to the cultivation of thesalmon, with a view iokeeping up the supply, and the re-stocking of the English rivers. To this end the ova are protected as far as possible from their natural enemies, and from destruction by accidents, and the young fish protected, at least during the early stages of their existence. The salmon ponds at Stormoutfield, on the Tay, were established for the purpose of promoting the increase of the salmon supply by artificial means. The arrangements of this establishment are most elaborate and complete, and carried out under scientific inspection. Thoro millions of ova are annually hatched. The ova are taken from the streams, and are there attended to until they are hatched, and the young fish are prepared for their first journey to the sea. Millions more of the ova are transmitted fx - om this place to various parts of the United Kingdom and elsewhere, and everything is done that science and experience can devise to secure their successful removal to the place of destination. By this moans much has been done to resuscitate the fisheries in exhausted streams, and the British rivers are now in a fair way of being restocked with the king of fishes. The fecundity of the Salmonidae is enormous, as every female fish produces ova at the rate of 1000 for every pound of its weight. Great as this rate of increase is, it is far exceeded by the deep sea fishes; the cod, for example, perhaps the most prolific of all fishes, produces ova by millions. We have been induced to make these remarks upon this important and valuable river fish inorder to encourage thostocking of our river and perennial streams with them. Not only do they provide manly and exciting sport for the disciples of Isaak Walton, but they produce a liberal return in pounds, shillings, and pence for the original cost of introducing them. As much as £30,000 has been paid for the sole right of one season’s fishing on the Tay. Lot the fine rivers of Now Zealand become inhabited by these noble fish, and besides supplying our tables with wholesome and delicious food, they would constitute an important article of export, and be a source of employment to thousands, and contribute largely to the permanent wealth of the country. Thoro arc no rivers in the Southern Hemisphere better adapted, and few so well, as our New Zealand streams. We are well aware that this important matter has not been lost sight of. The various

acclimatisation societies have done much towards stocking our rivers and lakes with valuable fish, and society is greatly indebted to these energetic and enterprising bodies. The salmon trout are now to be found in many streams, and recently an important addition to our stock was made by the introd notion of the ova, in a healthy state, of the species known as the Californian salmon. Authorities agree that the Californian salmon is not equal in flavor to the true salmon of Europe; but it is in all respects a valuable fish. Many other species of European fresh-waterfishes have been acclimatised, such as the perch, the mud-loving tench, &c. But these, although valuable additions to our stock of fishes, are far inferior to the least valuable varieties of the Salmonidao. Tasmania was the first colony of the group to solve the problem as to the possibility of transporting the salmon ova alive from Europe. Many experiments were tried which resulted only in failure; but the colonists were not dismayed. Failure gave them experience and a knowledge of the habits and natural history of the fish. Their efforts were at last crowned with success. And now the rivers of that island, north and south, are stocked with trout, and the true “Salmo salar,” the king of fishes, has established itself in the Derwent. In the course of time it will not be difficult to stock the New Zealand rivers with the true salmon from that source. The river's of this colony, by reason of their greater length and volume, are better suited for salmon than those of the sister colony ; at least we could produce fish in greater abundance. On the question of a market it may bo premature to speculate ; but this we may say, that apart from the question of home consumption, there will always be a ready sale for fish in the Australian colonies. In all the continental colonies our fish would bo sure to command the market, by reason of their greater freshness, in preference to the European article.