THE SEA PISHEEIES OP NEW ZEALAND.

West Coast Times, Issue 704, 26 December 1867, Page 2

THE SEA PISHEEIES OP NEW ZEALAND.

(fbom the attstealasian,)

Whilst Land and Water is furnishing so much valuable information about the home or European sea and river fi a -3ieries, there is no just cause why some little space should not be devoted to foreign and colonial fishing. Under the impression that a few details of this kind may prove generally interesting, I shall i ccasionally send you jottings on " far off " fisheries, about which les.s is known than of the pursuits on our own shores and streams. It is to be regretted that so little attention has as yet been given to tho prosecution of the fisheries on the numerous coasts and rivers of our southern colonies, especially in the Cape and Natal, New Zealand and Australia. By all civilised and commercial nations — especially tho English, the American, and the Dutch — the products of the sea have been accounted fully as important as those of the land ; because they not only afford cheap, nutritious, and abundant food to the people, but contribute largely, moreover, to the national resources and to the maintenance of a maritime ascendancy. In Australia and New Zealand attention lias hitherto been so much engrossed on sheep farming and agricultural operations and gold mining, that little has been done to reap tho rich harvest of the sea. With such cheering examples of prosperity, industry, aud intelligence everywhere pervading the land, we caunot but feel assured that the colonial fisheries will not be long overlooked. The riches of the sea will eventually engage as auxious a consideration as the riches of the land. It needs but a few boats' crews to inako a systematic beginning to prove the large amount of wealth at present swimming unheeded on their coasts. Once engaged in such pursuits, we do not doubt that they will be found of so remunerative a character as to lead to a large and zealous competition. Already tho industrious John Chinaman has set tho Australian colonist the example, and small fishing establishments tor catching aud curing fish have been set up by the Celestials in Tasmania, South Australia, and Victoria.

Taking tho colony of New Zealand in the first instance, let us see what fish aro available, with its extensive coast-lino of several thousand miles round the three islands. With the rapid progress of settlement, fishing and the curing of fish would soon becomo an importaut and profitable occupation, a<3 there is every facility for it at present existing, and in Victoria and South America will always be found a ready market for the cured fisb. Every bay and inlet of New Zealand abounds with fish. Amongst tho^e most esteemed, the abuka ranks first. It is generally of groat size, but the flesh is of much delicacy of flavour. A considerable quantity of it is cured at the whaling stations for winter provision, and is very fine. Two natives may often be seen carrying one of these fish along the beach of Wellington on a pole between them and its weight, often up to 100 lb. is fuily equal to tluir united strength. Next tv the aimka in size, as also in richness o flavor, is the moki, varieties of which aro of all sizes, the largest weighing about 301bs. This fish also cures well. The kawai,or New Zealand salmon, is esteemed by many as equal to the Europe- n fish in excellence. It is of the same size, and much resembles it in appearance and taste. Great numbers of them are found in rivers into which the tide flows, but more aro met with in fresh water. The native method of catching this fish is very simple : — A hook made of bone, with a piece of the glistening shell of what is called locally the " mutton fish" (Haliotis iris) attached to it, but without any further bait, is trailed at a short distance behind a canoe, which is being paddled with tho greatest possible speed. The resemblance of the piece of shell in its rapid motion along the surface to a small fish causes the salmon to sieze it with great avidity, and immense numbers are thus caught. The appearance of a fleet of canoes on the

Wanganui now engaged 'in this fishery, together with the rejoicing' of the tribe at its successful termination, has boon doscribed by Mr E. J: Waterfield, in his journal of a visit to that district, with much spirit and vivacity. Tho barracouta and the snapper are also esteemed. The lattor is iound of large size aud in great quantities in all shoal water. Tho bream, ling, gurnard, horring, sole, rook cod, and a species of mackerel, are also in abundance, as are also many fish unknown olsowhero. Some dried mullet were shown at the first London Exhibition, from New Zealand, and cured for tho China market,' which were Bound, but not high flavored. It has lately boon satisfactorily proved that there aro to bo found on tho New Zealand coasts nunii bers of fish hitherto supposed only to I inhabit the northern hemisphere. Tho i first iv valuo is the cod, found on banks [ off the coast in from forty to seventy [ fathoms water. The second in importance is the herring, shoals of which have been driven on shore at Mahurangi, and also on the Great Barius Island.

Tho flounder is also a well-known, fine, and abundant fish, and always in eager demand when brought into the Auckland market. Yet, notwithstanding this, the supply is so capricious, that for months arid months together not a fish of this description is to be found in the hands of the occasional native vendors. By the use of the trawl net, soles, flounders, skate, and other varieties of flat and ground fish might be taken in great abundance, and thus an exceedingly remunerative trade be placed at the command of the native fishermen. The John Dorey abounds. Thpre is besides a black perch of excellent quality. But although the waters teem with all these good things, stili, with the exception of odd occasions, the standard fish offered for sale is the dry, insipid, and inferior snapper. Oysters, which, might easily be laid down in feeding- beds, and there improved and propagated, are only to be obtained from tho rocks. A little 11 industrj r and a trifling exertion might insure an unfailing and profitable supply of this choice and highly prized shell-fish. Crayfish are to be found in abundance, but they are rarely to be procured, and only at the most extravagant prices. '

In the fresh- water streams and rivers a fish resembling the bull-trout is to be met with, at times, which rises readily at a bait. The fresh-water eel is much larger than the European species, and of greater richness in flavor, In Burnham waters, near Wellington, and in the Maitai stream at Nelson, they are to be caught iv plenty. In the spring and early summer season shoals of delicate-flavored whitebait, or a fish closely allied to it, may generally be found swimming down tho stream of the Waikato, in the province of Auckland, and in the course of a few minutes a sufficient quantity may easily be taken with the help of a small net. Tied up in a dock-leaf, and put into the hot ashes of a wood lice for a few minutes, they will be found to be deliriously cooked in their own steam — dressed in this simple, native fashion, and seasoned with pepper and salt, they afford a delicato repast. Cooked in Lovegrove's best stj'le, well dried in flour, fried for a few minutes in a pan of boiling lard, carefully drained, seasoned with cayenne, served up smoking hot, with a plentiful supply of brown broad and butter, moistened with the squeeze of a lemon, and followed by a glass of cold ipunch or iced champagne, a dish of " Waikato Whitebait " would satisfy the palatp of the most fastidious, and might well deserve to foast Her Majesty's Ministers at their yearly whitebait dinner; and doubtless at no distant day, somo Lovegrovo will be inviting the attention of the traveller aud the tourist to tho beautiful situation and excellent accommodation of the New Zealand " Star and Garter," and to its whitebait dinners of established repute, tvhile some rival Boniface will at the same time be extolling the superior advantages of the " Castle " or the " Crown."

Finally, whaling is successfully prosecuted by shore parties on the southern parts of New Zealand, from May till October, and often with great success.

P. L. S.