ATLANTIC SALMON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19761, 12 April 1926, Page 10

ATLANTIC SALMON.

\VAIKATO TO BE STOCKED. OVA FROM SCOTLAND. {F.EOM Oca Ows COBBESPOKDENT.) AUCKLAND, Apri A decision to commence a systematic attempt to stock the Waikato River with Atlantic salmon was reached, subject to certain reservations, by the council of the Auckland Acclimatisation Society. The chairman {Mr C. A. Whitney) said that Mr L. F. Ayson, chief inspector of fisheries, had intimated verbally that his department would be prepared to undertake the hatching of ova at the Piriaka hatchery, so that there should now be no difficulties in the way of definite action. The society had decided, some years ago to liberate fry in the streams running into Lake Taupo, but had been prevented by the Government on the ground that the salmon might impair the trout fishing. The society had already rented a hatchery and had ordered 500,000 ova, but all arrangements had had to be cancelled. Continuing, Mr Whitney said that as the result of a visit this year he had discovered that the eels "in the Waikato River never passed the falls above the dam site at Arapuni, and as s result there was a stretch of water about 70 miles long with numerous small streams running into it which would make an ideal position for liberating rainbow trout and Atlantic salmon. It was stated that there was no possibility of salmon making their way from the river to Lake Taupo. It was also staled that there was no likelihood of the salmon injuring the trout. It was estimated that 250.000 ova could be obtained from Scotland at a cost of from £125 to £2OO. It was Gnallv decided to authorise expenditure up to £2OO for the purchase of not less than 260,000 ova, subject to the consent of the society’s financial adviser and subject also to the written consent of the Minister to the hatching of the fry by the department and their liberation in the Waikato River.