TRAWLING EXPERIMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 827, 27 May 1910, Page 9

TRAWLING EXPERIMENTS.

(By Telegrai.n.-3peoial Correspondent,) Auckland, May 25; The tug Sterling- has been equipped with a trawling plant in order that when not required for towing she may exploit the fishing hanks' winch exist oIV thu Kaipara coast. Last week an initial experiment with the gear was essayed inside the outer banks at Ivaipiirn entrance, but with poor returns, the catches being only a few schnapper and trevnlli. Tho result was not unexpected, for the trawl master, who has had considerable experience in British and Australian waters, had found that tidal zones arc generally unproductive. The steamer proved admirably adapted for the work and on the Thursday proceeded outside the bar and commenced operations lii six to 20 fathoms. The first trawl was poorly rewarded, evidently owing to the vessel's speed' being too gre.it, for on slowing down fish were got inore plentifully. On Friday, in tho same vicinity, within eight miles of tho bar sevon tons of schnapper, red gurnet, with occasional barracouta, trovaili, yollov tail, and John Dorys, a few stingarees and dogiish, and one frost fish were secured. The siingareea and dog-fish were exceptionally fat, testifying to the wealth of marine life. On return to. Heleusville two tons of the spoil were delivered to theVDominioii Canning Factory, tho balance being forwarded to tha city where it fonml a ready market. Tho Sterling is to be regularly engaged in the industry and other fishing grounds are to bo exploited.