Tattooed Toheroas On Northland Beaches

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1939, Page 3

Tattooed Toheroas On Northland Beaches

Scientific investigation into movements oi toheroas is being carried out on several parts of , the Northland coastline. Tattoo marks are sometimes placed on the fish while some marine biologists use tags as markers. Although the toheroa can move very rapidly out of reach of diggers cn beaches, they are rarely seen moving along the sand horizontally. To move in this way they must emerge to the surface and be drifted along with the tide to some other bed. His Wandering Spirit. Experiments have proved the migratory nature of the toheroa. Where one bed has been deserted, other toheroas have soon filled it.

Principal object in the marking experiments is determination of the growth of the shellfish as well as the nature of their migrations. Shell marks are not easy to identify in many cases. Where file marks are used, these are usually at right angles to the hinge, and may be in line with it or in any position on the shell to within one inch of the end from which the “tongue” protrudes.

Co-operation Requested,

In some instances a groove down the middle has been made in the shellfish as an identification mark. Specimens of such, toheroas are expected to be found on Northland beaches and anyone finding marked shells is asked to communicate with the local inspector of fisheries or the Marine Department, Auckland. The authorities would appreciate details of the locality and the date of catching where such can be given.