CRABS GO 12,000 MILLS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 11 October 1922, Page 6

CRABS GO 12,000 MILLS

FISH IiROUOHT TO NEW ZEALAND WATERS LONDON, Ang. 23. Tlie successful transplantation of plaice from poor to rich feeding grounds iti the North Sea, which for some time past has oeen carried out by the marine biologists oi the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, has been extended in principle over an infinitely wider range, embracing the experimental introduction of European herrings, turbots, crabs, *uul lobsters to New Zealand waters, a distance of 12,000 miles. The turbot was transplanted in the form of small immature fishes, which, with a certain number of pregnant crabs and lobsters, were successfully "planted” off the New Zealand coast, although proof is still required that they have properly established themselves there. The herrings were taken out in the form of fertilised eggs collected at Lowestoft by Mr Thomas Anciertoip who organised the Portobello, New Zealand, Marine Biological Station. Mr Anderl.on devised a scheme for retarding the rate of development of the herring eggs py' the employment of low temperatures, in order that" the eggs might he carried through the tropics and hatch at about the end of the journey. This experiment would have heeiuquite successful hut for a breakdown ffi the ship’s tank arrangements. It has not yet been repeated ,hut the originators have .satisfied themselves that (lie mcihod 'presents no insuperable difficulties.