TROUT MENACE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19667, 27 June 1938, Page 3

TROUT MENACE

ACTIVITIES OF SHAGS FISHING DEPLETE I > The consumption of young trout by the shag—a bird which the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, has described as a menace to New Zealand freshwater fisheries — was the subject of considerable discussion during an interview a deputation had with the Minister in Wellington. Members of the deputation stated that the shag did much more damage in the fishable lakes and streams of many districts than did the hawk among game birds, and that unrelenting war should be declared on both species. Mr. Parry said he agreed with the opinion expressed that both the shag

and the hawk were a direct menace to fishing and shooting in the Dominion. Measures stronger than those adopted during the last two years seemed to be necessary to curb the two birds. A member ol the deputation, who handed the Minister some reports showing tlie contents of a large number of shags taken in Canterbury, Otago, Southland and at Mangaweka, said the figures would shock him and even the most ardent protector of birds.

Bad Reading For Anglers

The return submitted showed that 108 young trout were found in 51 shags shot at Pohangini and Mangawarariki. Some of the trout were 11, 1. 9. 12 and 28 inches long. In the 152 shags killed at Southland 999 trout of 3Jin, to Jl3sin. were revealed. In 185 shags shot in Olago 789 trout of .'Sin. to 15i11. iu length were discovered. The Minister said the returns would make bad reading to till anglers. He bad had official returns also illustrating too clearly the heavy slaughter the shag was responsible for among trout. With the spirited co-operation of acclimatisation societies and others it was fell that a big inroad could be made into the shag population. Additional measures regarding the birds were under 'consideration.