17

H.—ls

Invercargill. —The Collector of Customs gives the following information: The number of boats engaged in fishing is 4, employing 6 fishermen. The kinds of fish taken are flounder, mullet, red cod, trout, and whitebait. The quantity brought in for the twelve months was 1,033 cwt., valued at £1,434. Bluff. —The local Inspector reports oysters are plentiful and in the best of condition. The intercolonial service is now restored to a certain extent, and this enables the export of fish and oysters to Melbourne. Fifty-seven vessels are engaged in connection with the industry. These comprise steam trawlers, auxiliary cutters, and oil-launches, employing about 115 men. The quantity of all kinds of fish brought into Bluff was 6,587 cwt., valued at £12,997. The total oyster catch was 21,394 sacks; wholesale value, £13,371. Stewart Island. —The return from Stewart Island shows that 25 fishing-boats were licensed for the year, employing 51 fishermen, and 4 other men were otherwise employed. The total quantity of fish caught for the year is given as cwt., valued at £5,155 15s. Fish were fairly plentiful through the year and good average catches were made. Chatham Islands. —The number of boats licensed for the year was 13, employing about 24 men, with another 10 men employed in connection with the fisheries otherwise than in actual fishing. The only kinds of fish caught arc blue cod and hapuku. The Inspector again strongly urges the necessity for a fishermen's settlement on the islands, as it would no doubt be of great advantage to the industry, as it would mean that in time a permanent fishing population would bo established. A great deal of time is lost by the fishermen on account of the frequent spells of bad weather and heavy seas, and at such times these men are thrown absolutely idle, whereas if each family had sufficient land to keep a cow or two and have a garden their living-conditions would be very much improved. The following quantity of fish was caught during the year, viz. : Blue cod, 2,932fcwt., valued at £2,737 10s.; groper, 216 cwt,, valued at £125 15s. Returns. —The following returns are appended herewith, viz : — (i.) The quantity of oysters taken from the various beds, the quantity disposed of in the Dominion, the quantity exported, and total value, (ii.) The total quantity and value of fish imported into and exported from New Zealand during the year ended 31st December, 1919. (iii.) The number of whales taken at each whaling-station, the. species taken, and the quantity and value of oil, bonedust, or fertilizer produced. (iv.) The number of steam trawlers, oil-engine trawlers, and other vessels employed in net and lino fishing, with the number of fishermen employed, and approximately the total number of persons engaged in the fishing industry at each port, for the year ended 31st March, 1920. (v.) The various kinds of fish caught, and approximately the total quantities and value of fish landed at the different fishing-ports, for the year ended 31st March, 1920. I have, &c, L. F. Ayson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries. The Secretary, Marine Department, Wellington.

Oysters.

Return showing the Total Quantity and Value of Fish imported into and exported from New Zealand during the Year ended 31st December, 1919. fish imported.

3—H. 15.

Locality. Disposed of in Dominion. Exported. Total Number. Total Value. Foveaux Strait Sacks. 20,804 Sacks. 590 Sacks. 21,394 S s. d. 13,371 0 0 Bock-oysters. 4,243) 2,473 540 J Bay of Islands Hauraki Gulf Great Barrier 7,256 5,330 14 6 Total ... 18,701 14 6

Quantity. Value. Anchovies, salted (in bulk) Oysters, fresh Other fish, fresh or frozen Fish, preserved in tins Fish, smoked, dried, pickled, and salted ... Nil Nil Nil 2,559,5691b. 590 cwt. Nil. Nil. Nil. £119,334 £2,265