GREAT CATCHES OF FISH.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 January 1919, Page 5

GREAT CATCHES OF FISH.

o— — NEW SOUTH WALES TRAWLERS,

Increased catches of fish have been made by the New South Wales State trawlers during the past year, especially on the home grounds and on the southern, ground. The RLoianga on one occasion took 67,840 ib of fish in 39S fishing hours, and this ranks among the greatest catches known in the history of steam trawling. Notwithstanding interruptions caused to trawling by the requisitioning of the boats by the naval authorities to “trawl” for mines at Gabo and elsewhere, 2,328,0001 b of fish were landed during the year. There are now nine retail fish depots in the metropolitan area and one at Newcastle, and a retail stall is conducted at the central distributing depot at Woolloomooloo. The department states that notwithstanding the high cost of running the .state trawlers (principally because of the war), the industry has g.ven hotter financial promise during year, and sales to the public have largely increased. The public, it is further contended by the department, has aisc obtained a valuable food an a sating of about 7d per lb as compared with outside fisb prices.

The chief secretary statejj that during the year 30,000 immature food, fish, and nearly £BOO mature fish of the | best edible varieties wore rescued from j the overflowed lands in ihe MnrrumI bidgee River system and liberated in the Burriujuck Reservoir, which will 1 eventually be developed into a great i inland fishery.

With the object of conserving the fish supply in the Murrumhidgee R.’.ver system rescue operations were carried out between Nerrandera and Hay. over 48,000 immature and £OO mature fish of edible varieties being saved and set free in local permanent waters. In trout distribution a record was established, 137,500 fry being liberated in suitable waters throughout the State.