ATLANTIC SALMON IN WAIKATO.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 146, 19 August 1926, Page 5

ATLANTIC SALMON IN WAIKATO.

. ACCLIMATISATION WANTED Ministers’ Attitude Criticised. Criticism of the attitude of the M:n- ---> isters of Marine and Internal Affairs ; in connection with the proposal to acclimatise Atlantic salmon in the Waikato river was made at a meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation I' Society at Morrinsville on Friday. A lengthy report was read from Mr. Withers (a member of the council), who had recently interviewed the Ministers in Wellington on several matters. The Minister of Internal Affairs, stated the report, was sympathetic with the proposal to acclimatise Atlantic salmon in the Waikato river, but it was possible that this fish would have a serious effect upon the trout and whitebait in the river. It was the Minister’s opinion that no steps should be taken to retard the infant industry of tinning whitebait. The Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister of Internal Affairs) had set his mind against this proposal. He said it was doubtful whether the Vv’aikato river was suitable for the breeding of such fish. All suitable rivers would be stocked by rotation. The chairman said the council had changed its policy to take steps to acclimatise Atlantic salmon in the Waikato river but they would now urge upon the Government to do it itself. Referring to the contention that the Waikato was unsuitable for Atlantic salmon, he said his opinion was that this salmon would do well there. They had existed in warmer temperatures than in the Waikato waters, where they should certainly thrive. The society had noted the great decrease in whitebait in the Waikato river. A few years ago the society had urged • upon the Government to limit the season for taking whitebait, but nothing was done. How long, he asked, would the supply of this fish last now that netting and canning were started ? Many of the Canadian ' rivers' had been denuded of fish by such practices. Whitebait, he said, came up at a different time from the Atlantic sal- ' mon. Salmon and trout would not interfere with each other except with the spawn when they were on the same spawning beds, but they held their own. It was only when man stepped in that any effect was noticed. i ,