ILLEGAL FISHING

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30126, 9 May 1963, Page 17

ILLEGAL FISHING

Society Wants Law Rewritten

The North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society is to make an attempt to prevent the illegal catching of salmon and trout by the use of nets. At the monthly council meeting, last evening the society, on the proposal of Mr G. Ferris, the chairman of the fish committee, agreed to recommend to the Marine Department that an amendment is made to the freshwater fisheries regulations. The council proposed that section 42 (a) of the act should read that no person, whilst engaged in fishing for, or catching any fish not being acclimatised fish, from any boat or dinghy, or raft, shall have in his possession or control of any other person or persons present in such boat, etc., any fishing rod whether assembled or not, or any gear suitable for fishing for acclimatised fish. A fish trap had been installed in the Selwyn on April 29 by the committee, said Mr Ferris. So far 24 fish had been tagged. It was proposed to tag 2000. Already he ha dascerteined that previous reports stating that female trout outnumbered male four to one were incorrect. Of the first 53 he had sexed, 25 were males and 28 were females. This was a more reasonable proportion. He expected further confirmation. of his findings, he added. The committee had ordered 30.000 rainbow trout ova from the Department of Internal Affairs, Turangi. Black swans were wanted by the Auckland Zoo, said Mr Ferris. Just how many was not known as yet, but he thought the committee would be able to meet the zoo’s requirements.