Toheroas Thriving On Ninety Mile Beach

Northern Advocate, 3 January 1939, Page 4

Toheroas Thriving On Ninety Mile Beach

Although reports from Dargaville have stated that toheroas are by no means plentiful on the west coast beaches in that area this season, this does not. apply to the ’ Ninety Mile Beach, where these shellfish appear to be as plentiful as ever As with other west coast beaches, the toheroa beds on the Ninety Mile Beach were at times covered by the dry drifting sands, and this caused a high mortality, and the shells of the dead fish were strewn for miles along the beach at the high water mark. This mortality, which apparently occurs at periodical intervals, does not appear to have depleted the beds to the extent that has been reported on other beaches.

Still Plenty Fish. Although tan increasing number of the shellfish are taken from the Ninety Mile Beach every year, this does not seem to have had any great effect in decreasing the numbers on the beach. Good hauls of fish have also been reported, not only on the west coast, but also on the east this summer. Along the Ninety Mile Beach some very liarge hauls have been secured this applying to flatfish and mullet as well as snapper. On the east coast, the grounds where fish are known to congregate have attracted a number of fishermen, who have met with ia good measure of success.