OTAGO LAKES FISHERY

Grey River Argus, 15 May 1945, Page 3

OTAGO LAKES FISHERY

GOVERNMENT TAKE OVER From Acclimatisation Societies P.A. ROTORUA, May 14. A comprehensive plan, probably one of the largest undertaken by the Department of Internal Affairs in extending the fishing potentialities ot the Dominion, is being completed according to the Conservator of h isn and Game in the Rotorua district (Mr. A. Kean), who has just returned from an extended visit to the South Island in connection with the taking over by the Government 0.. several of the larger lakes in Otago and Southland. Mr. Kean said that he, together with Mr. F. G. Yerex, of the Internal Affairs Department, had made an exhaustive study of conditions pertaining to the Southern Lakes. The Government was preparing to take over Lakes Wakatipu. Manapouri, Te Anau, Wanaka, Hawea, and several other smaller and lesser known lakes in Otago and Southland from the Lakes Acclimatisation Societies. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry) was anxious to extend rhe fishing waters of New Zealand, with the result that he had arranged lor the taking over of the cold water lakes in the South Island in response to requests received from the Southland and Otago Lakes Acclimatisation Societies. At the present time these lakes are stocked with brown trout species or rainbow and salmon. Mr. Kean and other Department officials spent a month in the region, and they consider that all the lakes will provide excellent fishing when the plan is put into operation. Mr. Kean stated that the plan would be similar to that now operating in the Rotorua district, which had proved satisfactory from every point of view. Reports had been received from officials in charge of deer control in the districts, with the result that a comprehensive report is to be made to the Minister. “Mr. W. Condon, who has been in charge of the Tokaanu hatcheries for the past, io years, will be in complete control oi the operations,” continued Mr. Kean. “He will supervise the hatchery work in Otago and will be assisted by a specialist staff. At the present time two acres have already been acquired on the edge of Lake Wanaka. A hatchery will also be established in the Queenstown area on Lake Wakatipu. Ova will be supplied from the Rotorua and Tokaanu hatcheries. “Barriers have already been erected in the Rotorua area lo catch the trout and quite good runs have been reported. It is probable that stripping will commence next week. Experiments have been carried out in regard to the feed supply for the trout to be transplanted to the Southern Lakes, and among- the data compiled by the officers during their visit were the temperatures, location and other factors contributing to the general well being of the trout during the first stages. The lakes and streams are much colder than Rotorua and Taupo, due to the fact that they originate from the perpetual snow line, and this will 01. course, have an adverse affect during the incubation period, and it will be necessary for the trout to be kept longer during the incubation period, which will create one of the many problems to be faced; but it is hoped to bring the lakes up to the high standard now enjoyed by the Rotorua laiyes. “A great, amount of work has to be done and some time will elapse before definite results are obtained.” Mr. Kean added: “One of the most difficult problems will be the fact that many of the streams are precipitous and subject to heavy flooding and often become banked up with shingle and debris off the high country, which will be detrimental to the natural spawn of the fish.” Commenting on the different type of country in Otago and Southland from that in the Rotorua and Taupo districts, Mr. Kean said that in most cases the bush came right down to the water’s edge. This was especially so in the cases of Lakes Wanaka, Hawea and Wakatipu, where the hills adjoining the lakes rose between 3,000 and 5,000 feet and were often covered with snow. All were accessible by good road or by boat, and although some streams were isolated, they could be reached. The Americans would no doubt create an advertisement for New Zealand and it was therefore expected that the Dominion’s fishing potentialities would increase by leaps and bounds during the next few years. Mr. Parry was very interested in the scheme and had himself made an extensive tour of the area, Mr. Kean concluded. He was very sympathetic to any mo;'e to increase New Zealand’s fishing prospects.