STRANDED BLACKFISH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24103, 23 October 1941, Page 8

STRANDED BLACKFISH

NUMBER TOWED TO SEA CLEARING WHANG AREI BEACHES (0.C.) WHANG AREI. Wednesday A number of the blackfish that came ashore on the beaches near the Whangarei Heads have been towed out to sea by a Whangarei Harbour, Board launch. This action was taken in the interests of public health, as with the summer months ahead the blackfish would have been a menace if left to decay on the beaches. Twenty-seven of the blackfish stranded on one beach were roped together and at high tide were towed off. The tides are now higher than usual and this assisted with the work. As soon as the launch with its unusual tow reached the main harbour channel a rough sea, accompanied by a strong westerly wind, was encountered and seven of the blackfish broke from the tow. The remainder were towed outside the heads, the rough sea preventing the launch from going very far outside.

After the tow was let go the wind and tide continued to convey the fish out to sea. Later in the day four of the blackfish that broke away were recovered and taken to sea. The largest of the fish was 23ft. in length and was estimated to weigh nearly four tons. A further 1™ blackfish stranded on another beach will be towed to sea by the harbour board launch to-mor-row, while another launch will pick tip the remainder of those that broke away to-day and were not recovered.