WHITEBAIT.

Shannon News, 6 September 1927, Page 1

WHITEBAIT.

A RESTRICTED SEASON. OR A WAR ON TROUT? Is the whitebait industry in New Zealand threatened? On this question fishermen appear to be in agreement, but on the question of the best method of preventing the extermination of the whitebait there is a marked difference of opinion. One school suggests that the only satisfactory way of protecting the whitebait is to wage war on the trout, and the other school suggests with equal force that the real remedy is a restricted season for whitebait. Under the Fisheries Act, whitebait do not come under the control of acclimatisation societies; their interests' are watched by the Marine Department. But that fact does not prevent acclimatisation societies from taking an interest in the question. The whitebait question, in fact, was very thoroughly discussed at the last conference of societies, mainly at the instance of South Island delegates, and a definite line of action was decided upon. It was decided to make a recommendation to the Marine Department that the whitebait season should be limited to two and a half months to run each year. Whitebait commence to run early in August, and continue to run until the end of November, although in the South Island, where the industry flourishes mainly, they commence to run a little later than in the North Island. This applies to practically all fish. For that reason it was realised by delegates to the conference that it would not be possible to declare a uniform season for the whole of New Zealand, and accordingly it was decided to recommend that the season should be limited to any period of two and a half months in the months of August, September, October and November. The societies also decided to recommend that regulations should be framed providing for the registration of whitebait nets. This was done in order to ensure that the Marine Department would have s.ome measure of control over those who take whitebait. At the present time there is considerable poaching of whitebait, and it is very difficult to prevent it. CASE AGAINST THE TROUT.

The case for the restricted season is undoubtedly a strong one, and will no doubt have a big influence on officials of the Marine Department, especially as it has the backing of acclimatisation societies. But, as has been hinted above, there is another side of the story, and it is here that the activities of the trout come under review. Trout are very partial to whitebait, and it is stated that their consumption, of the small fish is having a disastrous effect on the whitebait industry. It is urged by many that the trout, being the cause of all the trouble, should pay the penalty. The'views of the troutextermination advocates are summed up as follows by a correspondent of a South Island paper: — (1) Whitebait are undoubtedly decreasing. (2) This decrease is wholly due to the voracious trout.

(3) A close season would deprive the consumer of a delicacy and provide more trout fodder.

(4) A close season would not prevent the gradual extermination of the whitebait.

(5) The extermination of whitebait could be prevented by the extermination of the trout.

(6) The acclimatisation officials know this.

In further support of his contention, the correspondent states: “The whitebait catchers fish from six to twelve hours a day, weather and condition of rivers permitting, for two or three months in the year. The trout is whitebaiting twenty-four a day, seven days a week, for nine months of the year, feeding ravenously and growing rapidly Anyone who has seen three or. four trout clean up a shoal of whitebait can realise the appalling effect that thousands of trout would have on the whitebait supply during the year. From the foregoing, it is evident that the trout is exterminating the whitebait, to be itself exterminated subsequently through lack of food. This being so, it would be advisable to get rid of the trout now, before they do further damage, and preserve the whitebait as a national asset, the value of which is not yet appreciated.”

Whether the trout is such a menace as the correspondent seems to think is a question on which there is disagreement. Officials of acclimatisation societies, who have made-a special study of the subject, are prepared to vote for the preservation of the trout. It is understood that the pros and cons of the matter are at present receiving the attention of officers of the Marine Department, and that regulations in regard to the whitebait industry will shortly be issued.