Fishery Research Work Off Northland Coast

Northern Advocate, 6 August 1949, Page 4

Fishery Research Work Off Northland Coast

CONTINUING her scientific work off the Northland coastline, the Marine Department’s fishery research vessel Ikatere has been operating between the Ileft and Chickens Islands and the Moko Hinau group during the past week. Yesterday afternoon the Ikatere berthed at the Town Wharf to give her crew a spell for the week-end and to take on stores.

Commanded by Captain A. Duthie, the Ikatere was working in the same area about 18 months ago, and on this trip (lie research is being carried a step further. One of the main tasks involves the collection of samples of flic bottom of the ocean. An examination of the marine growth obtained from each haul indicates the type and amount of feed available to fish in different localities. This is followed up by the use of nets and handlines in the same area to determine what fish life exists in these food areas. EXAMINATION OF CATCHES The fish which arc so caught are classified, measured. and particular attention is paid to their condition. An important aspect, of this research is in studying the ratio of male and female fish to determine the breeding potentialities of the fish inhabitants of the feeding grounds. One of the main purposes of the Ikatere's present programme is to introduce a net for trawlers and seine boats to give the maximum escapement to small and unsaleable fish. Such a net would allow immature fish to escape and continue breeding. This scheme carried out to perfection would enable the fishery research division to put into operation plans which would ensure a steady supply of edible fish for New Zealand maikets. At the same time it would preserve the breeding grounds and maintain the fish population at a steady level. DIFFERENT NETS The Ikatere has used several different types of nets, each embodying different principles, in the work of finding the most suitable mesh for seine and vrnwl fishing. To enable a check to be made on the numbers of small fish which pass through the mesh of the experimental not, a second net of a finer mesh is attached behind the main net. It collects the fish which would normally escape and a count of them gives an indication of the efficacy of the experimental mesh. The Ikatere, which carries a crew of five, is powered with a 160 h.p. diesel motor. She will probably be at the Town Wharf until Monday.