Fishing Research Off Whangarei Coastline

Northern Advocate, 16 January 1948, Page 2

Fishing Research Off Whangarei Coastline

IMPORTANT scientific research on the feeding: grounds, habits and numbers of fish in the vicinity of the Hen and Chickens Islands was commenced today from the Marine Department’s fishery research vessel Ikatere. The Ikatere was berthed at the Whangarei Town Wharf yesterday afternoon, and an interesting outline of the scheme was given by the skipper (Captain A. Duthie) in an interview which took place in his roomy and comfortable cabin.

Captain Duthie explained that during the next four days samples of the bottom of the ocean would be taken at various depths.. They would be examined for marine growth to ascertain .the type and amount of feed available in different localities. TO FOLLOW UP These experiments would be followed up next week, with the use of handlines and nets at different depths on the same grounds to find out what fish life existed. The fish so caught would then be classified, measured, and their condition would be determined. One of the principal objects of the research would tie to see what ratio of male and female fish there was, thereby determining their breeding potentialities, and from this making a comparison! with the amount of feed found to be available from the first tests.

ULTIMATE PURPOSE The ultimate purpose of the work was to introduce a net for seine-boats and trawlers, to give the maximum escapement for small, unsaleable fish. - Captain Duthie pointed out that the department was concerned at the toll of immature fish through seining and trawling operations. . When the investigations were completed, a net made to scientific specifications would be introduced, and its use by trawlers and seine-boats made compulsory. On her way out to the Hen and Chickens this morning the Ikatere picked up the assistant director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum (Mr A; W. B. Powell) at Onerahi. He will be with the expedition for the next four days. The Ikatere will then travel back to Auckland and, a few days later, with a scientist aboard, will commence the second phase of the investigations. About 60ft in length she carries a crew of five, and is powered with a 160 h.p, Diesel motor.