WHITEBAIT SUPPLIES

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1929, Page 5

WHITEBAIT SUPPLIES

DEPLETION OF RIVERS.. For some time past there has been much discussion, particularly amongst acclimatisation societies, on the question of decreased supplies of whitebait in our rivers. The Marine Department sent out a questionnaire to societies and others interested in order to gather information wherever possible. There is almost a consensus of opinion, says the annual report of the department, that there has been a serious diminution in the run. The department must naturally consider the points of view of the acclimatisation societies, the professional whitebait fishermen who supply the market, and the private persons who fish for their own consumption. “It is clear from the information gathered.” the report states, ‘That steps must be taken to regulate the methods of fishing in such a way as to ensure the maintenance of the fishery. In many places where the waters are narrow the method of fishing is such that the running whitebait have very little chance or escaping the nets, while in others it is the practice of the Maoris to net the mature inanga on its way to spawning, in large quantities. The escape, both going upstream and coming down, of a sufficient percentage of the fish is essential, and it is necessary that steps should be- taken to that end. Draft regulations, based on the information gathered from replies to the questionnaire previously refei-ed to, have been issued to all parties interested for their comment, and this is now coming forward. It is not proposed to make the regulations effective thi. season except in one case where, owing to the intensive fishing which the physical conditions permit, urgent action is necessary; but, in the meantime, full consideration will be given to the representations of those concerned.”