A HARVEST OF FISH.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VIII, Issue 216, 14 August 1918, Page 7

A HARVEST OF FISH.

WASHED UP ON THE COAST There was quite a remarkable occurrence on the sea shores around the Wellington coast line on Saturday, more particularly in the vicinity of Haughton Bay and Island Bay, when very large numbers of fish were washed up and left high and dry. Many and varied were the rumours as to the cause of the happening but the most popular of these, submarine disturbance, was speedily scouted by scientific men. The fish, in their hundreds, consisted chiefly of ling and hake, with’an occasional groper, ■and they provided a. great haul for the coast fishermen, who, with launches, lorries, and carts, journeyed along and speedily filled their means of conveyance, disposing of the contents subsequently at satisfactory prices. Small boy’s and grown folks participated in the rich harvest from the sea. Speaking to a “Post” reporter, Mr. W. J. Phillips, of the Dominion Museum staff, referred to the Tjossible cause of the occurrence. He said that the suggestion had been made to him by Dr J. A. Thomson that during the spring tides large numbers of fish which live in Cook Strait at a depth of aloout 200 fathoms are washed up to the surface owing to the tremendous current which flow's between the two islands at such a time. This he believed to be the cause. The fish., he added, were mostly of a large size, principally ling, or by its scientific name, Gerypterius blacodes, and English hake, or as it is otherwise known. Merluccius Gayi. This latter is not really the English hake, and is known to Christchurch fishermen as