USE FOR EELS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 42, 19 February 1942, Page 5

USE FOR EELS

FISH OIL AND FERTILISER

An inquiry is being made by the Marine Department into the possibilities of finding a use for eels. While the percentage of fish oil that eels contain is known and what its marketing value would be, the Department lacks reliable information as to the quantities of raw material. Such information should be obtainable when eels migrate from lakes, and acclimatisation societies are being advised regarding traps and the method of their USf\

Asking the Wellington Society's assistance last night, Mr. D. F. Hobbs, the Department's biologist, stated that Hunia Lake would be the best place for observations. It should contain both sharp-finned and long-finned eels, and the downstream migration was likely to take place between now and the middle of April, short-finned coming first, and long-finned later, with possibly an overlap. The fish should come in waves during freshes, especially on moonless nights. The investigations being made by the Department were in order to learn if production of fish oil from eels and utilisation of waste for fertiliser are feasible. It was Mr. Hobbs's opinion that the demand for the oil, stimulated by Australian war industries, indicated a better opportunity of establishing such an industry now than might occur for years.

It was stated by the chairman, Mr. D. J. Gibbs, that the society would do its best to assist the Government.

The outlet drain from Hunia Lake was about half a mile long, wrote Ranger T. Andrews, and.there the eels congregated awaiting a fresh to carry them over the sea beach. Frequently they became stranded, and thousands died.