FATE OF TROUT

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1021, 11 July 1930, Page 7

FATE OF TROUT

EMPTYING OF ARAPUNI LAKE HEAVY LOSS FEARED j What has happened to the trout which were in Arapuni Lake prior to tho lake being emptied? Tho problem was discussed at a meeting of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society last evening. It was stated that thousands of fish had been lost as a result of the sudden exit of water from the lake and it was thought that many were killed by being sucked through the crack in the headrace. Another theory was that the tremendous pressure in the diversion tunnel when the headrace was dewatered might also have been responsible for the loss of a number of trout. Some members of the society held the view' that the fish would have been warned by the increasing current and would have gained the upper reaches of the river.

Tho society, which had received notice of the intention to dewater the headrace, had tried to save as many fish as possible. It was stated that a large number of dead crayfish had been found on the shores of the lake. It was decided that further investi-

gations would be made as to the possibility of netting the trout which had reached the pool below the fall, though as yet, the idea seemed impracticable in view of the depth of the pool and the stony nature of the bottom.