MARINE LIFE

Hokitika Guardian, 17 February 1932, Page 2

MARINE LIFE

WORK OF RESEARCH. PORTOBELLO BIOLOGICAL STATION. To the uninitiated, a fish is mereiy a fish, unless it happens to be the one in the angler’s tale when it assumes the -proportions of a whale, and there are not many who realise that a lifetime is all to short for the complete study of marine life. For the past 27 years, the Marine Research .Station at Portobello—the only institution of its kind in the southern hemisphere—has .been investigating the habits, living conditions and food, as well as many other aspects, of the marine (life of Otago waters. Tlie station, which is dependent on Government support- for its running costs, has been well and faithfully sponsored from the very beginning by Mr G. M. Thomson, M.L.0., who lias written a complete history of its activities during the two decades and a-half of its existence. The station, though under the control of a. board appointed l by the Government, has been placed in charge of Mr W. Adams, whose services have been of great value. Working with very small financial support, the strictest economy has always been necessary, and Mr Adams has proved not only an expert in conducting the routine work of the station, but has also, by his ability to deal with all sorts of general work such as constructing now tanks, making repairs to the 'buildings, or installing machinery, shown himself to be admirably equipped for his work. Mr Adams is assisted by M S. Broadley as assistant curator. Mr D. Graham, who is the biologist, is the third member of the staff, and the board ha.s reason to be pleased with the' results which are being obtained by him. The small amount of trouble involved in visiting the station is well repaid, because all sorts of extremely interesting information is to be obtained by a tour of the buildings, and the outdoor tanks. All sorts of fish, from the very rare bellows fish to the wellknown blue cod, are to be seen, - as well as innumerable specimens of the lower forms of marine life such as star fish, sea anemones, sea slugs, and the repulsive-looking “blind eel.”

One of the most interesting specimens to anyone not already familiar with it is the sea. horse, a curious little fish about nine inches long with, a face like a horse, and a tail like that of a kangaroo. It gives the impression of being a very affectionate creature, for it loves to wind its long, graceful tail around things. One of these fish was recently placed in a tank with several other specimens, including a large crayfish, the tank being arranged for the benefit of a visitng photographer, and the sea horse took a very short time to make friends with the other, twining himself around one of the crayfish’s long antennae and assuming an expression which can only be described as loving, The equipment of the station is very comprehensive. The staff has the use of a six-ton launch, which is capable of a good turn of speed, and there are n.ll sorts of nets and trawls for the collection of specimens. The launch is also fitted with a special locker for the safe transport of the catches to the station. The staff is dhily collecting data from which the life history of the fish of these waters is being worked out, frequent trips being made outside the harbour for the purpose of collecting. Besides research work, the staff of the station spends considerable time experimenting. About 20 years ago English lobsters were introduced here, and, for a long time, persistent efforts were made to naturalise them. These efforts, however, have .not yet proved successful, as all trace of the ova liberated in the harbour has been lost. The latest work in this connection was the breeding of a batch of lobsters, 79 of which were recently liberated. As the young lobsters go to the bottom when they are about three iVeeks to a month old, it has not been possible to keep them under observation, and the success pr otherwise of the experiment has yet to he ascertained.'

Edible crabs from Europe have also lieen a subject of experiment, and 15 or 20 years ago about 35.000,(XX) larvae were liberated here. No visible result of the experiment has been forthcoming, and it has been reluctantly decided that failure must have resulted. In 1913 a batch of about 400 English turbot was imported. The fish wore reared at the station till the largest were about 23 inches long, and they were liberated about eight years ago. Nothing further has been heard of these fish, but occasionally what are supposed to be large brill are caught bv fishermen, but it is possible that turbot have been mistaken for brill by reason of their simila ity in appearance.

A feature of the work which i,s at present receiving the attention of the station concerns tho large shoals of sprats which used to be common in the neighbourhood of Cape Saunders some years ago. The shoals were usually seen in the month of June. It is considered that, if these fish could !><• caught in sufficient quantities, there would be an opening for tho commencement of a sardine tinning industry here. However, the small fish have mot been seen recently In large numbers, and it is problematical at present whether the industry would payThe educational aspect of the work done at, the station is considered to be