H.—ls

Whitebait Fishery, 1942 Season

Fresh-water Fisheries Quinnat Salmon No quinnat salmon hatchery work was undertaken during the year. The 1942-43 fishing season was one of the best on record and under normal conditions the total production would have been fairly substantial, the average size of the fish being also above average, at least for the more northern rivers. Salmon appeared in the mouths of Canterbury rivers as early as November, and some were taken by fishermen in December and January. Continuous floods throughout February prevented successful fishing in what is usually the best fishing period, and the majority of the fish that were caught were taken between mid-March and mid-April. Only fourteen selling licenses were taken by rod-fishers. The returns of catches from these licensees are summarized in the statement given below :—

Quinnat Salmon, 1943

The Opihi River, less affected by floods than the larger rivers, provided good fishing. A total of 252 salmon, weighing 1,667 lb., caught between 14th February and 25th April has been recorded for this river. The Department is indebted to Mr. F. W. Pellett for forwarding these records.

2—H.—ls

6

Number of Ftahmurn. Total '"(SeT" iUvere flehed - Method of Fishing. Fishing began. Bert Month. 'nffiy*'" (ApproxlWhole Part niately.) Time. Time. Auckland .. Waikato .. .. Hand-nets .. 27th July October .. 100 50 482 Auckland .. Kaituna .. .. Hand-nets .. 6th August August .. 20 10 29 Auckland . . Tarawera . . .. Hand-nets . . 25th July September 17 99 Napier . . Ngaruroro and Tuki- Set-nets .. 1st July . . September . . 20 40 24 tuki Blenheim .. Wairau, Opawa, Tua- Hand-nets . . August .. November . . 2 2(1 7 marina Mot-ueka .. Motueka, Moutere .. Set and hand nets August .. October .. 6 18 Takaka .. Takaka, Motupipi .. Hand-nets .. August .. August .. '.'. .. 4 1 Westport .. Buller, Orowaiti, To- Hand-nets .. September November .. 2 100 30 tara, .Fox, Nile, Little Totara Greymouth .. Grey, Teremakau, Hand and set nets September October .. 2 100 GO Camerons, Paroa Wataroa (South Big Wanganui, Ka- Set-nets .. September October .. 20 30 155 Westland) rangarua, Waitoto, Maori, Mahitahi, Okuru, Poerua, Wataroa, Waitangi Christchureh. . Waimakariri, Ashley, Hand and set nets August .. November .. 10 40 161 Styx, Saltwater Creek, Waipara, Avon Temuka .. Opihi, Orari . . Set-nets .. Soptember November .. .. 40 45 Dunedin .. Molyneaux, Kakanui, Hand-nets .. August .. Out. and Nov. .. 12 5 44 Owaka, Taieri, Waitaki, Shag, Waikawa, Waikouaiti, Pleasant, Tokomairiro, Wainakarua Dunedin .. Mataura, Oreti, Apari- Hand and set nets August .. Oct. and Nov. 15 7 51 ma, Waiau, Titiroa, Mararewa, Otautau, Waikiwi

Males. j Females. Sex not Totalg given. Returns from Rods Waimakariri River, 5/3/43 to 15/4/43 (two rods)— Number of fish caught .. .. .. .. 7 17 24 Total weight .. .. .. .. .. 78 lb. 182 lb. .. 260 lb. Average weight .. .. .. .. 11-1 lb. 10-7 lb. .. 10-8 lb. Rakaia River, 13/3/43 to 11/4/43 (three rods)— Number of fish caught .. .. .. .. 38 32 16 86 Total weight .. .. .. .. .. 327 lb. 368-5 lb. 184-5 lb. 880 1b. Average weight .. .. .. .. 8-6 lb. 11-5 lb. 11-5 lb. 10-2 lb. Rangitata River, 11/1/43 to 8/4/43 (five rods)— Number of fish caught .. .. .. 19 11 46 76 Total weight .. .. .. .. .. 258 1b. 136 1b. 568-5 lb. 962-5 lb. Average weight .. .. .. .. 13-6 lb. 12-4 lb. 12-4 lb. 12-7 lb. Opihi River, 3/2/43 to 15/4/43 (two rods)— Number of fish caught .. .. .. .. .. .. 46 46 Total weight .. .. .. .. .. .. 682 lb. 682 lb. Average weight .. .. .. .. .. .. 14-8 lb. 14-8 lb. Combined Rivers, 11/1/43 to 15/4/43 (twelve rods)— Number of fish caught .. .. .. ... 64 60 108 232 Total caught .. .. .. .. .. 663 1b. 686-5 lb. 1,435 1b. 2,784-5 lb. Average weight .. .. .. .. 10-3 lb. 11-4 lb. 13-3 lb. 12-0 lb.