H.—44a.

question of the difficulty of catching the seine boats operating illegally, one witness made a suggestion that a minimum penalty of £50 for the offence be imposed, and that a reward of at least £10 for information leading to a conviction be given. The Committee believes this suggestion to be a good one. The' closure to Danish-seining of the area enclosed by a line one mile offshore from Bream Tail to Ruakaka and thence straight to Bream Head is recommended, to give some measure of protection to Whangarei, Waipu, and McKenzie Cove. Russell. Here, again, the Committee received complaints about the operations of the Auckland Danishseining fleet and requests for further restrictions. The minimum line suggested was that Danishseiners should be forced out to the trawler limits or that both forms of fishing should be prohibited inside the Cape Brett - Ninepin line. In a place like Russell or, rather, Bay of Islands as a whole, the inshore fisheries are of considerable value to the tourist trade and for holiday-makers. In our opinion, the benefit which will accrue from the fostering of the fishing attractions of such a well-known resort as Russell is far more valuable than any results the commercial fisheries will receive if they are allowed to carry on their operations in these waters. Whangar oa. As the grounds for some ten miles on either side of Whangaroa Harbour are not suitable for Danish-seining owing to the foulness of the bottom, there were no complaints in this connection here. The seiners have not worked right inside the harbour in recent years, a practice which was common some time ago. Mangonui and Kaitaia. At these centres the Committee received delegations from the local bodies, and from fishermen, Maoris, and others, all protesting against the continuance of Danish seine operations in the inshore waters of Doubtless Bay and Rangaunu Bay. The catches of the line-fishing vessels have decreased by 90 per cent, since seiners started, and it is now impossible to provide a local fish-supply for the ten thousand inhabitants of the Mangonui and neighbouring counties. Seiners are working here systematically, and much night fishing goes on. Large numbers of dead small fish have been found on the shore after these boats have worked at night. In these bays seiners tow their nets continuously. At the beginning of February there were from eight to ten seiners working in the bay for over ten days. Line-fishermen do not consider it worth while taking their vessels to sea, as the catches are so low. At Houhora the seiners worked close inshore during the summer. There has been a gradual diminution in the line fish catches since 1932-33. One business man who runs a good hawking service supplies a total of 1,239 customers in thirty-six towns and townships, and there are also two hospitals and twenty-two hotels and restaurants to be supplied. This man can no longer get sufficient supplies. The Kaitaia Hospital Board's representative confirmed the evidence that the business man referred to could no longer supply the Board with anything like a sufficient quantity of fish for the patients' requirements. Recommendations. South Island. 1. That the Danish seine method of fishing be abolished all round the coasts of the South Island, the present Danish-seining vessels to be allowed until Ist January, 1939, in which to use up the seine gear which they have aboard or in stock. Napier. 2. That at Napier Danish-seining be abolished by gradual stages, and in the interim Danishseiners be placed on the same restrictions as regards grounds as apply to trawling. Gisborne. 3. That, in view of the effect of Danish-seining at the other trawling ports, we recommend that Danish-seiners be not allowed to operate from Gisborne or anywhere in its vicinity. Danishseining should be prohibited inside the three-mile limit from Gable End Foreland to Table Cape. Bay of Plenty. 4. That in the Bay of Plenty the present trawling restrictions be applied to Danish-seiners, and, further, that the limits from Matata eastward be extended to the mouth of the Waiaua River! Also, that a two-mile limit be imposed for a distance of three miles on either side of the Whangamata River : Provided that these restrictions shall not apply to any Danish-seiner under 40 ft. in overall length. The 40 ft. exemption shall not be available to any seine boat built or licensed after the passing of the regulation. Whangamata - Mercury Bay. 5. That a limit of one mile off shore be imposed on Danish seine boats from Whangamata to Cape Colville. 6. That an investigation be made to locate any snapper-spawning grounds in this vicinity, and if such grounds are found they should receive protection iii the spawning season. V

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