EUROPEAN TURBOT IN NEW ZEALAND

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 91, 14 October 1922, Page 9

EUROPEAN TURBOT IN NEW ZEALAND

TO THE BDIIOK.

Sir, —I recently received a letter from Mr. A. H. Stock, president of the Southland Acclimatisation Society, in which he informs me that a stnnge flat-fish, weighing 4jlb, was taken among a lot of flound- i eTs by a' fisherman netting on Riverton' beach. The fish was exposed to view in a fish shop in Invercargill, and was noticed by the society's ranger. While he was looking at it, a man who had been a sea-fisherman in the Old Country, came up and looking at it said: "There's a plaice." Unfortunately the fish was not secured at the time, and when Mr. Stock heard of the occurrence he found the fieh had been sold. Later on one of the reporters on the staff of the "Southland Times" informed Mr. Stock that he had seen and eaten Some of these "plaice" in Christchurch. As I informed Mr. Stock in reply to his interesting communication, no place has ever been introduced into New Zealand waters. It is, however, not only possible, but even probable, that the fish was a European turbot, and as it is. very desirable that the fact shouW be ascertained, I would like to inform your readers, and especially all fishermen and. fish salesmen what is the position in regard to this fine fish. If fisft which are new to the fishermen were reported to any local scientific authority, or to the Customs' c officers, or the Press, we would learn a good deal that is now lost for want of identification.

In March, 1923, a number of small turbot from the English (Cornwall) coast —introduced by the New Zealand Government —were brought out by the late Mr. T. Anderton, curator of the Portobello Marine Fish Hatchery, and wera placed in the tanks at Portobello. The fish grew so rapidly that it soon became impossible to keep them longer in confinement, and in 1916 and 1917 they were taken south, and liberated in Tau'tuku Bay, South of Nuggets Point. About fourteen were left in the tanks. These latter fish have never spawned, owing to the lack of depth of water. Apparently flat-fish require "the pressure of about twenty fathoms of water to enable them to extrude their eggs. Some of these turbot in the tanks are now about 23 inches long, but though perfectly healthy they have not grown for two years —another result apparently due to confinement; In the open sea turbot spawn when thirteen or fourteen inches long. It is highly probable that some of the 180 liberated fish, which weve over that size when turned put, have spawned. It is also quite probable that the fish taken on the Riverton beach is a turbot which was born in New Zealand waters. As each female turbot liberates eggs by the million—l have not the approximate figures—there may be numbers now on the coast. We want very much to ascertain whether this is the case.

The turbot is a flat-fish of somewhat rhomboidal shape; the ratio of its length to its breadth being about 12: 9£. Its colour varies with the ground on which it lies,'but on a bottom of whitish sand it is a light brownish-grey, with numerous rounded darker spots, which are about half an inch in diameter. On a darker bottom the fish quickly becomes darker also, and the spots are nearly black. The turbot swims on its right side, while nearly all our New Zealand flat-fishes (soles, flounders, etc.) swim on their left side, so does the European plaice.

If the turbot has been successfully naturalised in our waters it should prove a great acquisition, for it is, without exception, the finest of all fiat-fishes. It may be looked for anywhere along the coast for ourfloat experiments carried Out at Portobello have shown that any swimming organisms, including, of course, larval fishy'liberated in.Otago waters are carried north wards and north-east by the prevailing currents. I would be very glad if any occurrence of European turbot, lobsteiy or edible crab found pn the coast were notified to me at ' the Marine Fish Hatchery (care s.s. Tarewai, Port Chalmers). If specimens cannot be sent, then accurate description or identification is desirable. —I am, etc., :

GEORGE M. THOMSON", Chairman Portpbello Marine .Fish Hatchery Board.

10th October,