TROUT LIBERATION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 163, 26 June 1935, Page 11

TROUT LIBERATION

Acclimatisation Society TRANSFER OF HATCHERY A total of 150,000 rainbow eyed ova, procured from the Tongariro hatchery, and 100,000 brown eyed ova, purchased from the Otago Acclimatisation Society were hatched at Mangatera, Hawke’s Bay, and liberated in streams throughout this province during the past year

Reference to these activities of the Hawke’s Bay Acclimatisation Society is made in the annual report. In addition to the above figures, 50,000 rainbow fry were retained at the hatchery at Greenmeadows to bo reared to the fingerling and yearling stages before liberation. Dealing with the hatchery transfer, the report states: — “Failure of the water supply and necessity for the exercise of rigid economy were the chief factors which influenced the committee to transfer the hatchery, for so many years established at Mangatera, to the property situated at Greenmeadows, recently purchased by the society. The new arrangement under which the hatching and rearing of the fry and the breeding of the pheasants is under the one control is proving both economical and efficient. One rake of hatching and fry boxes was erected last season temporarily and 50,000 ova placed in them more or less for experimental purposes and particularly to test out the qualities of the water for rearing fry. The result exceeded expectations, the percentage of fry hatched being very high and the losses since almost negligible. A total of 20,000 was liberated in the streams at the age of three; months and the balance will be distributed al ages varying from six to 12 months. The fish are generally well grown, healthy and vigorous. “This satisfactory achievement fully justiflee the committee’s action in removing the whole of the hatchery anil plant to Greenmeadows, where it will be erected, in time, to carry out hatching and rearing of trout on a much bigger scale this season. The wisdom of liberating trout of fingerling and yearling sizeinto our streams and rivers in preference to fry is too well known to be emphasised. “The percentage loss associated with the liberation of trout in our streams during the fingerling and yearling stage is very small, whereas with fry it is questionable whether 10 per cent, live to reach adult stage. The beneficial result of stocking with fingerlings and yearlings due to the small mortality loss will be appreciated by every fisherman.”