EXPORT OF TROUT EGGS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 284, 26 August 1940, Page 5

EXPORT OF TROUT EGGS

Turangi State Hatchery

BEARING OF YOUNG FISH A remarkably good season for the collection of trout eggs is reported by the State hatchery at Turangi. on the banks of the famous lishing river Tougnriro. The eggs are being taken from spawning lish for export and the rearing of young trout for liberation in the hikes and streams of the Rotorua acclimatization district. The Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, who is in charge of the fresh-water fisheries, stated on Saturday that up to August 20 7.404.000 eggs had been collected. Thai number wait 1.57G.000 over the total number secured in the 1939 season. "The report I have received from Hie manager of the hatchery," Mr. Parry said, "stales Hint the fish handled are still in very good condition, and recently the per-

eentage of male lish has increased by 20 per cent. The largest lish handled was 911 b.. and so far only seven brown trout have entered the collection traps In spite of Hie fact that the accommodation in Hie hatchery has been increased. all available space has been taken ti[> and the previous week only 270.000 eggs were collected, though larger quantities were available." At Lake Tarawera Hie stripping of lish for eggs was being continued, stated the Minister, but runs of lisil were reported to bo smaller there than they were last season, Up to August 20 4.728,000 eggs had been laid down al the Ngongotaha hatchery, widen was 797,000 above the number laid down U]> to the same date the previous year. Fry liberations from the hatchery were well advanced, and some 2.23.8.000 had been planted in Hie various parts of the Rotorua district, as against 1.117.000 up to the same time last year. "These splendid results," the Minister added, “should enable us to meet wholly present-day demands, including overseas orders, for eggs.” I