WHITEBAIT FISHING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20625, 25 July 1930, Page 8

WHITEBAIT FISHING.

CHECKING THE DEPLETION. OBJECT OF REGULATIONS. DEPARTMENTAL EXPLANATION. [by TELEGIiArn.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, Thursday. The Secretary of the Marine Department, Mr. G. C. Godfrey, states that as certain misleading statements have recently been published with reference to the aim of the department in making inquiries into tho present position of the whitebait fishery, and as to what steps should be taken to preserve, and if pog. sible, to promote, the supply of this favourite fish, it was desirable that the facts should be clearly stated. The department, he said, had sent out a draft of tho consolidated and revised regulations, with the view of getting sug. gestions from tho acclimatisation societies and those engaged in, or interested in, tho industry, in order to make the regulations as perfect as possible, in the interests of all.

The department desired, first, to ascertain the extent of the depletion of the fishery, the causes of such depletion, and the best course to take to restore and improve the catches. Up to the r. resent time a responsible officer had been engaged in summarising the reports received and in considering the value of the remedies recommended. The chief inspec. tor of fisheries, Mr. A. E. Hefford, was at present on a visit to the West Coast making further inquiries, and would nc doubt shortly be able to complete his recommendations.

It was not correct to say that the regnlations had met with such opposition that they had been dropped. Inquiries were still being made. He had been informed by the chief inspector that the necessity for safeguarding future supplies of white, bait, by imposing restrictions upon the fishing operations as conducted at present, had been admitted by those who had had a long and intimate practical acquaintance with this fishery. The leading professional whitebait fishermen at Hokitika and elsewhere were ic favour of the introduction of a licensing system, to enable the fishery to be kepi under better control. With two exceptions, in all the districts where whitebait fishing was pursued for purposes of salt on an appreciable scale it was reported that the present conditions showed de terioration.

A categorical denial was given by thi secretary to a statement as to the alleged overstating of this branch of his department. The exact contrary was the fact For instance, in the absence of a researct staff suitably equipped with laboratorj accommodation, it was not possible t< carry out as they should be investigationi which were necessarv.