Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7824, 18 December 1886, Page 4

The new regulations respecting the close mallet season which have been gazetted, and which appear in our yesterday's issue, may be accepted as a fair settlement of the dispute over this question. The months of December, January, and February constitute the close season, and the regulations connected therewith are to have effect in all salt, fresh, or brackish waters in that part of Kpipara harbour described in the gazette notice. In all other places matters will remain as they were before. That is to say, in the parts of the Kaipara where the industry of preserving and tinning of mullet is conducted, the fish will be protected daring the season when it is not in condition to be successfully preserved ; but where such condition does not enter into the calculations of those employed in fishing the mullet may be caught and disposed of all tbe year round. This arrangement will, it is believed, suit the requirements of all parties engaged in the trade. The close season will prove an advantage to those persons who have successfully established, and are desirous of extending an industry of great importance to the colony, which provides in a preserved state a supply of this valuable fish, either for home consumption, or for export to the foreign market. At the same time, the restriction of the regulations will leave the Auckland fishermen to prosecute their operations when they please, and enable the citizens to indulge in the luxury of having fresh mullet during all the months of the year, if they feel so inclined. The decision arrived at may be regarded as a very satisfactory compromise.