TRAWLING IN NEW ZEALAND WATERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11597, 11 March 1901, Page 6

TRAWLING IN NEW ZEALAND WATERS.

A CHAT WITH THE INSPECTOR OF FISHERIES.

'A Heeaid reporter had a short . conversa-

tlon on Saturday with Mr. Ayson, Government Inspector of Fisheries, who is at present engaged in testing the coastal waters of New Zealand for fish by trawling. Mr. 'Ayson, whilst reticent upon details of his experiments, was courteously disposed to give a general idea of them, and of their results. He stated that the steamer Doto, in which the trawling tests are being conducted, was chartered by the Government from tho Neilson Fishing Company. She is in command of Captain Neilson, one of the shareholders, and a part owner, who Is an expert in the work, most of hit, life having been spent in trawling in the North Sea. Ho did some experimental work in 1898 for "he New South Wales Fisheries Department, aid brought the Doto from Sydney for tho present series or experiments in certain portions of the coastal waters. Mr. Ayson stated that the work was commenced north of the Mahia Peninsula on February 7, since when they had worked oft' those portions of the coast nearest to markets, such as Gisborne, Tauranga, etc. The Hauraki Gulf was reached on February 26, since which date they have worked the Kawau Island, and northwards as far as the Great Barrier in a straight line, and south of that line to the ifiames. Experiments will be continued during the next two or three days near Auck,land, from whence Mi. Ayson proceeds to Whangarei, where he will test a few of the bays in that vicinity, and between there and the North Cape. The Doto will next bo taken round to Kaipara, no trawling being Uone on the way, though soundings and temperatures will be' taken. The Kaipara inlet will be tested from Kaipara to the Manukau. Mr. Ayson considers that the results of his •work in these two fishing grounds should be of value to the Auckland market. Asked as to the results of his work, Mr. lAyson said that he had found a great extent i of bottom suitable for trawling—genorally ' soft mud and sand. In the deeper waters ! very tow market fish (over 201b) were taken. i In the shallow waters good hauls of schnap- ; per were generally got. The best hauls ! ■ were, he said, taken in the Frith of J Thames. It was his opinion that it flat-fish i could be got in large quantities an impor- I tant trade might be developed with Austra- j lia from Auckland. It was his object, not only to iislp to supply Auckland with the best market fish, but also to assist in developing an export trade with Australia. Mr. Ayson considered that our system of marketing fish -was a great mistake, and that alterations were necessary in the interests of consumers and fishermen alike. His idea was ■ that public fish markets should be opened in i all the principal centres. He had heard the ! eame complaints all round as to the scarcity I arid hielr price of fish, and thought that, with the great oxtcnt of coastal waters around Fish VwT' Bu< comlitill " s should not exist, able >,v tv 8 °° d a,ul fre9h . Should bo obtain--\fi^rTz^r te * low a price M? y \ et> or muWon. D S% a lot of trawling Two tcSSiMp Cpe of Goocl Hope, a \L Sv^?„ pe ', G £«nin6nt ***% : the coast of thoii „„i-""" 01 t the fisheries oft «p flshine ornn«rl« X,.„ • , y ha( ' opened «U in hones th,ithr ,OUSIy «*««»«»' He attained here, v the eamfi res '» might be