H—ls

Whitebait Fishery, 1949 Season

After a disappointing season last year this season showed considerable improvement in most places. The estimated total, 7,899 cwt., also reflects a more complete record than was received last year, and for this reason cannot be used as an exact quantitative comparison with last year's total of 4,517 cwt. Quinnat Salmon Although there was a drop in the number of fish taken as compared with the last two years, the season was a reasonably good one. During this season three nets, one of which was operated for only one month, took 582 fish, as compared with 849 fish last year and 983 fish the year before. Canned Fishery Products A small quantity of fishery products are canned. These include toheroa, mussels, crayfish, trevally, herring, pilchard, whitebait, barracouta, and whalemeat. The quantity canned is set out below : lb. Shell-fish .. .. .. ..' .. .. 81,360 Whitebait .. .. .. .. .. 116,730 Sea fish generally .. .. .. .. .. 579,968 Whale-meat .. .. .. .. .. 583,210 Fishery products unspecified .. . . .. 80,820 Total .. .. .. .. .. 1,442,088

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Number of Total Quantity Caught District. Principal Rivers Fished for Which Returns Were Received. Best Period. Fishermen (Approximately). (ApproxiRegular. Casual. mately). Cwt. Auckland Waikato, Raglan, and Kawhia Sept.-Oct. 130 65 949 Bay of Plenty .. Kaituna, Tarawera, Rangitaiki, Waioeka, Otaro Sept. 5 25 24 Hawke's Bay .. Tukituki, Ngarororo, Porangahau Sept.-Oct. 50 75 17 Wairarapa Lake Onoke Mid. Sept. 2 20 6 Wellington Waikanae, Waimeha, Mangone, Otaki, Waiotohu, Ohau, Manawatu, Kaikokopu, Rangitikei Oct. 86 382 266 Wanganui Turakina, Whangaehu, Wanganui, Kai Iwi Nov. 3 37 16 Patea Waitotara, Whenuakura, Patea Oct.-Nov. 54 170 90 Taranaki Kaupokonui, Ohawe, Tangahoe, Waitara, Mokau, Waiongona, Awakino, Waiwakaiho, Urenui, Te Henui Sept.-Oct. 18 257 333 Marlborough Wairau, Omaka, Opawa, Aorere, Takaka, Motupipi, Motueka, Moutere Oct. 19 22 90| North Canterbury Waiau, Conway, Hurunui, Waipara Oct.-Nov. 21 Christchurch Saltwater, Ashley, Waimakariri, Avon Oct.-Nov. 150 250 413 South Canterbury Rakaia, Orari, Opihi, Ashburton, Rangitata, Waitaki (north bank) Oct.-Nov. 157 Otago Moiyneux, Puerua, Taieri, Waipori, Kakanui, Shag, Waikouaiti, Tokomairiro, Tahakopa, Maclennan, Owaka, Catlins, Tautuku, Pleasant, Wainakarua, Waitaki (south bank) Oct.-Nov. 20 82 98| Southland Matawa, Titiroa, Oreti, Waihopai, Waimatuku, Aparima, Waiau, Big Bay (south-west coast) Oct. 47 408| West Coast — Maori, Haast, Karangarua, Okura, Waiotahi, Turnbull, Nov. 165 20 3,046 Wataroa Cascade, Fox, Jacobs, Mahitahi, Parenga, Blue, Big Wanganui, Poerua, Wataroa Hokitika Hokitika, Mahinapua, Arahura, Totara (Ross) Nov. 126 247 671 Greymouth Grey, New, Teremakau, Paroa Nov. 47 450 277 Westport Karamea, Little Wanganui, Mohikinui, Ourawhaiti, Buller, Totara Nov. 79 850 1,316 7,899|