DEEP-SEA FISH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23274, 17 February 1939, Page 13

DEEP-SEA FISH

SUCCESSFUL RESEARCH

STUDY AT MAYOR ISLAND FINE PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD Satisfaction with the results obtained from the initial investigations of the expedition visiting .New Zealand under the auspices of the American Museum of Natural History for the study of deep-sea fishing, was expressed last night by the leader of the party. Mr. Michael Lorner. Some excellent specimens of game fish have been obtained during; several weeks spent on Mayor Island,,

Mr. Lerner said that on account of adverse weather the fishing, generally speaking, had been retarded, but an improvement had taken place and ho felt sure that a better run of fish would now bo experienced. Members of the party had, however, been well pleased with the results, 16 fish having been taken. Casts had been prepared and studies made of the different species, an important step in a world survey and classification of big-game fish. Faithful Reproductions After explaining that a large number of smaller classes of fish had also been collected for study purposes, Mr. Lerner said he wished to pay a tribute to the hospitality and co-operation which had been extended by New Zealanders. Particular assistance had been given to the visitors by members of the Tauranga Big-Game Fishing Club. Photography has played an important part in the work of the expedition, the personnel including two prominent moving-picture photographers. Over 16,000 ft. of colour film of several types has already been exposed and, in order to assist the museum artists in making faithful reproductions of specimens, accurate colour photographs have also been taken of fish immediately after they have been taken out of the water. Coastal Configuration In the coastal configuration of Mayor Island and the Alderman Islands members of the expedition discovered a magnificent set of records of the forces which fashioned the land. Every stage of the work of the waves was found to be illustrated on the rocky cliffs and, for the first time, the story is to be told in moving and still colour pictures. Copies of this and other films will be presented to the New Zealand Government.

Members of the expedition are at present staying at Hotel Cargen. They will remain in Auckland until Monday, when it is proposed to leave for the Bay of Islands.