FISHERIES CONTROL.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVI, Issue 196, 19 August 1912, Page 3

FISHERIES CONTROL.

Subsequently a deputation from ttie Acclimatisation Societies' Association waited upon the Hqn. F. M. B. Fisher (Minister for Marine), The principal spokesman was Mr L. O. H. Tripp. The deputation asked : — (1) That the Government be urged %q continue the importation, of Atlantic salmon.

(2) That the Government be requested to engage a scientific fish ~expert to come to the Dominion to study the fish in our waters and their food supply, and to recommend what steps should bo taken to keep up the standard of our fishing.

(3 That the Government be requested to instruct the constabulary to assist the local societies in getting convictions of offenders under the "Animals Protection and Fisheries Acts."

(4) That the Government be strongly urged to make regulations prohibiting the use of nets (other than landing or whitebait nets) for the catching of fish either in rivers or in the mouths on estuaries of rivers. The Minister said that the request for the prohibition of netting practically raised the question of professional fishermen against amateur. It was at the mouths of rivers that professional fishermen practised netting. He would consult Mr Ayson as ito what should be done. Mr Rutherford, a member of the deputation, said '■ (that it would be necessary to exempt certain rivers. The. Minister said that he would ask

Cabinet. to continue the importation ' of Atlantic, salmon. In 1910, the 1 Government had ordered one million , Atlantic salmon ova from the Wye Fisheries Board'at a cost of £350. Ultimately the Board found itself able to supply only 400,000 ova from the Wye. - The balance, as in regard to many other things, had to be obtained from Germany. It seemed to him strange that a country like New Zealand should have to get fish from I Germany. It was not likely to do the ' New Zealand fisheries much good to I put down one lot of ova and let it go j at that, and he felt inclined to recommend that another million v Atlantic ! salmori ova should be ordered and pxit iin the same river. He agreed with the suggestion of the deputation that ultimately a scientific fish expert would have to be imported. In a country like this there should be an abundant supply of cheap fish. The actual position was extraordinary, land some way must be found of getting out of it. ' 'Mr Rutherford said that it would i probably be necessary to set up a Fisheries Board. i The Minister said that as to getting 'the assistance of the police is connecI tion with the protection of fisheries, t the deputation would have to approach i the Hon. A. L. Herdman (Minister ; for Justice). If the latter agreed, : policemen could be gazetted, under i the Fisheries Act, as inspectors.