H—ls

The total value of fish and shell-fish exported during the twelve months 0f'1949 was £515,883, which represents an increase of £22,147 on the previous year's figure of £493,736.

The totals for the principal classes of fishery products exported for the last three years are given below :

A more detailed report of the quantities and kinds of fish and shell-fish is given in Table VII. Big-game Fishing The season for big-game fishing was generally a good one. Reasonably good fishing extended over the months from December to May. At several of the centres the secretary of the fishing club there has forwarded records of the catch during the season. The figures below show the numbers of the various species taken.

Sardines The landings of sardines at Picton show a decrease over last year's figures. The figures for the total sardine catch at Picton during the last five years are as follows :• —■ Cwt. 1949 .. .. .. .. .. 223 1948 .. .. .. .. .. 896 1947 .. .. .. .. .. 97 1946 .. .. .. .. .. 1,191 1945 .. .. .. .. .. 1,458 Fish-liver Oil This branch of the industry shows an increase this year in quantity of livers handled and the quantity of oil produced, the figures being the highest yet recorded. The total weight of fish fivers treated, 783,307 lb., an increase of 105,872 lb., and the fish-liver oil produced, 33,304 gallons, an increase of 9,221 gallons as compared with last year's figures.

2. H—ls

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Quantity. Value. 1947. 1948. 1949. 1947. 1948. 1949. £ £ £ Oysters, fresh 950 doz. 1,020 doz. 1,920 doz. 27 30 107 Mussels 75 cwt. 93 cwt. 531 475 Fish, frozen 41,800 cwt. 54,671 cwt. 61,367 cwt. 235,079 340,441 366,880 Crayfish, frozen 2,335 cwt. 3,731 cwt. 6,388 cwt. 17,140 44,466 85,061 Fish, smoked, dried, &c. 4,384 cwt. 1,625 cwt. 1,047 cwt. 27,533 11,419 7,233 Fish and shell-fish 649,565 cwt. 755,307 cwt. 798,955 cwt. 78,439 96,849 56,127 (canned) Total values 358,218 493,736 515,883

• Species. Bay of Islands. Whangarei. Tauranga. Striped Marlin 278 10 513 Black Marlin 27 5 S.A. Blue Marlin 3 Mako Shark 40 41 44 Hammerhead Shark } ' { Tiger Shark "l Thresher 1 1 Blue 1