SEINING IN THE GULF.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 22 September 1925, Page 5

SEINING IN THE GULF.

FISH SUPPLY THREATENED.

DAMAGE TO FEEDING GROUNDS. IMMEDIATE ACTION URGED. A letter of reminder has been sent tn the majority of the members of the House of Representatives who promised last session that something would be done to protect tbe Hauraki Gulf from seine fishing. The petitions and protests. t'> which the reminder refers, were .-cat from the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Associations. Thames Fishermen's Union. St. Heliers Road Board. Ostend and Onetangi Road Board. Ostend and Onetangi Rate-l-avers. Civic League. National Council of Women, and numerous private indi- \ iiluals. The letter congratulates Mr. T. W. Rhodes. M.P. for Thames, on tbe legislation he procured for the protection of the Thames Gulf; and Mr. W. J. Jordan. M.P. for Manukau. on closing the Manukau to seine netting. Meanwhile, it is stated, nothing has been done to protect tho rest of the Hauraki from the trawler and power drawn nets. Emphasising the need for immediate action the petitioners point out that tlie Hauraki Gulf is our breedinz ground for fish, particularly si-hnapper, nnd this is becoming rapidly depleted. The overflow of fry from the Hauraki Gulf should rapidly replenish our coastal waters, and on no account should any power drawn net be allowed in the Gulf. Evidence has been taken that seine netting at the present moment is being carried out round Wailieke within half a mile of the shore, and on one day six boats were working their nets close to the Onetangi wharf. Schnapper and all our fish, like slamon. work right up into the shallow waters to spawn; and the letter states that this area is the very- area where the seine net is working. The nets are drawn by powerful engines, which scarify tlie bottom of tiie sea and destroy not only the ova, but the food and protection of the young fry. In further support of thoir case the petitioners say that there is a wholesale destruction of young and undersized fish brought up by tlie trawlers and seine nets working in shallow shore waters. Denmark has areas much larger than the Hauraki Gulf protected against the seine net; but none of them is regarded as such a valuable breeding ground. Hood trawling banks, which are not breeding grounds, have been found by Mr. Frank Bullen. F.R.G.S., to exis"t all the way to the Kermadecs: and the petitioners conclude by strongly urging the present Parliament to complete what it has begun in the way of protecting our fish breeding grounds, which are among the finest in the world. Upon this depends the future of the fish industry, which is capable, with wise legislation, of developing into an industry second only to wool or butter."