SALMON IN OTAGO. Dunedin, March 15.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 352, 20 March 1889, Page 5

SALMON IN OTA GO. Dunedin, March 15.

At yesterday's meeting of the Acclimisatation Society the following letter from Ranger Burt uu r as> read :— " I ha^e veiy great pleasure in forwarding a report of my visit to Jacob River for the purpose of ascertaining whether the fish reported to be seen there were salmon or not. I arrived at Mossburn early on Saturday morning, and ab ence proceeded to one of the tributaries, where the fry were planted eighteen months ago. Mr Browning kindly allowed me to turn the greatest portion of the water into his water-races, and that reduced the water in the cteek for about 300 yards. I was quite surprised to find that salmon were numerous, and, instead of getting two, I could have easily gofc as many hundreds. Mr Browning, who . kindly assisted me, assured me that he had seen the fish I had caught in shoals, and on pointing the place out to me there was no mistake about it. I saw a very large number of salmon some of which have assumed their smolt living, and a very large number are in the par state. 1 put the two samples in glycerine, and ha\e forwarded thorn to you, from which you will see that the fish have thriven well. 1 believe that with the first fresh many thousands will go to sea, and I also believe that some may nob go until next year, as they appear in the par state referred to. It must be satisfactory to the Society to think that the fi>h have done so well, and the fact of their having been seen in such large numbers shows the great necessity there is for the Society to imp; ess on the Fisheries Commissioners the great danger likely to result if netting: is permitted in any part of the river. The mullet net used by the fishermen would take every fish, and piove most destructive. Jt the salmon are to be successfully acclimatised, this must be prohibited, and steps taken to protect the fish. ' Members of the Society admitted that the report was a very satisfactory one. The fish caught by Ranger Burt wero beautiful specimens about seven inches long, and were completely clothed in what was known as their "emolt livery." It was agreed to send a copy of Ranger Burts report to the Conservation Commi&=ion, and to express to them in the strongest terms possible the necessity of recommending that netting ot salmon should be absolutely stopped.