STUDY OF THE MULLET

Grey River Argus, 30 May 1938, Page 9

STUDY OF THE MULLET

FISHERIES OFFICIALS. LONG TASK IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, Mayl2. Officials of the Fisheries Research Department are investigating the “life-story” of the mullet in waters off the New South Wales coast, and expect the process to develop mto a very long task. About 700 fish have so far been numerically labelled with discs attached to the gill covering, and fishermen have been asked to report the capture of any of these marked fish. So far, only one has found its way into a fisherman’s basket. The fish were netted, marked and released in Port Hacking, about 20 miles south of Sydney, where a fisheries research station is situated. The object of studying the migratory habits of the mullet is to ascertain the age and growth-rate of the fish population so as to ensure the proper management of the stocks with a view to their conservation and possible increase. When • a fish is “labelled,” a record is made of its length, weight, and the place and date of release. If it. is caught, several months, later in a distant spot, it is again weighed and measured so that comparisons can be drawn. Fishery experts regard it as a matter of importance that the spawning seasons and areas should be discovered so that catches can be properly regulated, and, if necessary, restricted This has been done abroad with herrings, salmon and halibut, and fishing interests have benefited from the work .