H.—ls.

Quinnat Salmon, 1939.

The net catches in the Waimakariri represent a very considerable improvement on the results for the 1938 season—l,l2s fish weighing 10,727 Ib., as against 479 fish weighing 6,2361b. The average size of the salmon taken in 1938 was 13 lb., which is well over the usual average, while in 1939 it was only 9-5 lb., which is well below the normal. The same unusual predominance of small fish in the catches, especially towards the end of the season, is shown as was noticed in the case of this season's run in the rivers of South Canterbury. . , , With regard to the average number of fish taken per net, this season s catch, averaging 375 salmon per net, is the highest recorded for the last ten years, and is only exceeded by the production for the 1928 season of an average of 628 salmon per net. With regard to the weight, however, the average total per net was exceeded in 1932 and 1934. The following statement shows the yield of the net-fishing for salmon in the Waimakariri since licenses were first issued :—

The run of salmon in the Clutha River also appeared to show an appreciable increase, catches by anglers having been made in larger numbers and over a greater length of the river's course than

27

Males. | Females, j Totals. given. Return from Rods. Waimakarifi River, 28/2/39 to 29/3/39 (two rods) — Number of fish caught .. .. . • • • 5 5 • • 10 Total weight .. .. . • • • • • 61 lb. 55 lb. .. 116 lb. Average weight .. •• 12-2 lb. 11-0 lb. .. 11 *6 lb. Eakaia River, 31/1/39 to 30/4/39 (four rods)— Number of fish caught .. .. • ■ • • 120 99 15 234 Total weight 1,583 lb. 1,399 lb. 234 1b. 3,216 1b. Average weight .. • ■ • ■ • • 13 • 2 lb. 14*1 lb. 15 • 6 lb. 13'7 lb. Rangitata River, 31/1/39 to 15/4/39 (seven rods)— Number of fish caught .. .. • • • • 41 36 24 101 Total weight . .* 440 1b. 535 1b. 256 1b. 1,2311b. Average weight .. •• 10-7 lb. 14-8 11). 10-7 11). 12-2 lb. Orari River, 15/5/39 (one rod) — Number of fish caught .. . ■ ■ • • • 1? 26 .. 43 Total weight .. .. ■ • • • • • 155 lb. 248 lb. .. 403 lb. Average weight .. •• •• •• 9-1 lb. 9-5 lb. .. 9-4 lb. Opihi River, 15/2/39 to 15/5/39 (two rods) — Number of fish caught .. . • • • • • 8 3 61 72 Total weight .. . • • • • • ■ • 97 lb. 40 lb. 657 lb. 794 lb. Average weight .. 12-1 lb. 13-3 lb. 10-8 lb. 11-0 lb. Waitaki River, 15/2/39 to 15/5/39 (four rods) — Number of fish caught .. . . • • • • 31 26 .. 57 Total weight .. .. • • • ■ • • 456 lb. 412 lb. .. 868 lb. Average weight . • • • • ■ • • 14-7 lb. 15-8 lb. .. 15-2 lb. Combined rivers, 31/1/39 to 15/5/39 (seventeen rods)* — Number of fish caught .. • • • • • • 222 195 100 517 Total weieht •• 2,850 1b. 2,689 lb. 1,147 1b. 6,628 lb. Average weight' 12-6 11, 13-7 lb. 11-5 lb. 12-8 lb. Returns from Nets. Waimakariri River, 6/1/39 to 14/4/39 (three nets)— _ Number of fish caught .. .. •• •• 526 395 ,, n Total weight 4,814 1b. 4,072 lb. 1,851 lb. 10,727 lb. Average weight . ■ • • • • .. i 9'1 lb. 10-3 lb. 9-1 lb. 9-5 lb. * Four rods fished on two rivers during the season.

Number of Fish caught. Weight of Fish caught. Number of Year. Nets ~ " licensed. TotaJ Average per Total . Average per lb. lb. 1925 • • •• 5 190 38 1026 8 1,126 141 13,121 1,640 \IL " 4 767 192 8,543 2,135 i9 28 ;; ;; .. 4 2,514 628 28,006 7,001 1 Q9Q }qoi " 4 446 111 6,878 1,719 Tooo 4 1,157 289 15,337 3,834 !ooo 4 928 232 12,318 3,079 m4 4 1,118 279 13,570 3,392 4 512 128 5,835 1,459 iqTfi 4 246 61 2,733 683 Too? 2 106 53 1,067 533 iqoo 3 479 160 6,236 2,079 1939 3 1,125 375 10,727 3,576