Ministers At Odds On Bass

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29916, 1 September 1962, Page 12

Ministers At Odds On Bass

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 31. The introduction of large-mouth bass to Northland could endanger the famed rainbow trout fisheries of Rotorua and Taupo, according to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Gotz). They could not spread naturally, he said. But there was a very real risk of them being transferred by some misguided person. This could be disastrous for the Rotorua-Taupo waters Mr Gotz said this today id a statement setting out the argument against the introduction of large-mouth bass as a new game fish

A recond statement. released simultaneously by the Minister of Marine <Mr Gerard) gives reasons in favour of the fish's introduction. The matter has been offi-

cially deferred for consideration in three years’ time. Mr Gotz said that although large-mouth bass should be suitable as a game fish for areas like Northland, where were no trout, the risk of jeopardising a major national asset did not justify importing them In environments similar to the Rotorua-Taupo lakes these fish dominated and even supplanted trout They competed for food and ate young trout. Once they were established it was very costly to remove them from small waters and impossible to eradicate them from lakes such as those in the Roto-rua-Taupo region. Mr Gerard said the introduction of bass to waters north of Kaipara harbour had been unanimously recommended to the Government by the Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Council Anglers in the north, said the council, were entitled to be able to angle tor a game fish where trout did not thrive

The large . mouth bass would be the most suitable type to introduce for various reasons: it grew to 31b-

71b. freely took baits, and was a good table fish. It thrived best in warm waters Disease rjfks could be fully overcome.

Unauthorised transfer could occur in the Rotorua district, according to the report But, Mr Gerard said, the bass could become numerous in only a few shallow lakes and a balance between the two fish would ultimately be ach’eved He said the council a' c o pointed out that fishing pressure in the Rotorua takes was increasing rapidly ar.d was likely to continue The introduction of largemouth bass to South African waters had not, in 20 years, invaded trout waters to the detriment of trout fishing.