Blackfish In Harbour
Between 80 and 100 blackfish. ranging in length to about 20ft were seen in the Whangarei Harbour between Snake Bank and One Tree Point yesterday morning. Three schools of the creatures were seen from the Whangarei Harbour Board launch Kumi, which was taking the pilot (Captain E. Ross) down to meet a collier. At first it was thought that they were porpoises and the launch was headed to go through them. When their bulk and distinctive square heads identified them as blackfish. the launch's course was changed swiftly, because blackfish will not give wav according to nautical rules. IN LIVELY MOOD The ponderous creatures were irP a lively mood, rearing their shapes out of the water and creating quite a din. They were still in the harbour when the launch returned later in the morning. This is believed to be the mating season for blackfish. Some years ago a large school became stranded at the harbour entrance, and efforts to tow them into deeper water were frustrated by the fact that the creatures insisted on swimming back to the beach and grounding themselves.
They died in considerable numbers and created a nuisance until their carcases were towed away.
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Bibliographic details
Northern Advocate, 26 September 1949, Page 5
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201Blackfish In Harbour Northern Advocate, 26 September 1949, Page 5
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