QUINNAT SALMON

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10704, 30 March 1926, Page 3

QUINNAT SALMON

KEW ZEALAND POSSIBILITIES

LARGE FOOD INDUSTRY., ; WELLINGTON, March 29. . Few people in New Zealand realise ! the extent and value of the salmon • fishery of the North Pacific, or even , of British Columbia. British Columbia salmon fisheries alone produce from £2,500,000 to £3,000,000 a year. . This reminder of the possibilities m South Island rivers was given by Mr J. P. Babcock, who, with Dr. C. H. Gilbert, is leaving by the Makura for (San Francisco, Both these Canadian pisciculturists were delighted with New Zealand and with the only known instance of the acclimatisation of quinnat salmon. “Dr. Gilbert and myself, ’ said Mr Babcock, “came to your beautiful islands as‘overseas tourists for rest and travel, and not in any official capacity. We have both for many years been engaged in a study of the great salmon fisheries of the north-west coast ■ of North America, Dr. Gilbert is a recognised authority. Many years ago we became interested in attempts to introduce quinnat salmon to waters in which they did not exist, which included your waters. The records disclose that all such efforts were fruitless except here in New Zealand. Your success has naturally excited our interest. We have been interested in getting first-hand information. We Have been efforded exceptional opportunities to do so during our brief stay. We are under great obligations to your Government and (yliief Inspector of Fisheries, Mr L. F. Ayson, whose persistent efforts have so notably been crowned with success. Mr Ayson joined us m the North Island and guided us through the South Island, which included visits to your main rivers and their great lake tributaries. We witnessed the catching of a quinnat and had it served at dinner. It was rich in colour, oil, and flavour, quite the equal of our best. We have also seen and eaten Atlantic salmon taken here. It also was quite the equal of any caught elsewhere. The acclimatisation of both quinnat and Atlantic salmon in your waters is a great achievement —one without parallel. All other efforts to establish quinnat in other waters and to introduce Atlantic salmon in the North Pacific have failed. That you transported eggs for a much greater distance, and through the heat of the tropics, makes your success so much more noteworthy and surprising. All hail to the men who accomplished it!

A Word of Caution. “Both Dr. Gilbert and myself have been astonished at the number and volume of your rivers and lakes and their hundreds of miles of favourable spawning beds. Surely they promise fell for future increase. You certainly have breeding and fresh water feeding areas for the development of salmon comparable in extent to similar waters in British Columbia and Alaska that produce abundantly. “Your early seedlings have been so successful and the increasing run to your rivers is so apparent that you may look to the future with confidence, provided the stock you now possess is conservatively administered. Forbear yet a little while that the quinnat may build up runs that are of commercial importance. Do not make the mistake of cutting jour cake too soon. Save all your seed for planting. The salmonproducing capacity of your waters has not yet been demonstrated. Having for many years made a close study of a great salmon fishery, may L venture, so far as to advise that you go slow in catching your quinnat. If I was asked to make your salmon-fishing regulations they would prohibit the catching of any quinnat salmon for years to come. Your joliey, as I see it, should be to conserve what you have. Let time demonstrate what the seed you now have will produce. You may be on the eye of the development of a great food asset of a great fishery.”