WASHED UP ON THE SAND

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1930, Page 8

WASHED UP ON THE SAND

BLACKFISH LIE STRANDED

’WOMAN SEES PITfiFUL SIGHT.

REMOVAL A SERIOUS PROBLEM ('By Wire—Special to News.) Auckland, Last Night. Ninety blackfish lie stranded on th# sand of the ocean beach across the hill from Taurakura,- North Auckland, aey came ashore late on Monday afternoon, when a south-east wind was blowing. Mrs. A. Robinson, who saw them leave the water, says the sight was pitiful. The huge creatures as soon as they felt themselves against the rocks in the shallow, breakers began to bellow like stricken- -cattle. All except six of the fish were together on the beach, touching as if for sympathy. At least half of them were-still alive last night, their moaning sounding above the soft lapping, of ■ the waves. ■ , , / Twice previously schools of blackfish, have been washed up in this district, but each tiihe they were within the confines of. Whajlgare.i Harbour, where the consequences were most unpleasant. Nine years ago 70 were washed ashore at McGregor’s Bay, and in 1927 the removal of 40 stranded in the same locality presented a difficult problem for the harbour authorities.''

In the present instance there is only one habitation directly affeetdd. The shoal of dead fish, ranging in size from a “baby”, weighing 2cwt to many adults of nearly 2 tons, lies within a quarter of a mile of Mr. A. Robinson’s residence. Efforts are being ma >. to refloat the carcases, and if this is done it is hoped that with air easterly wind, prevailing they will be carried out to sea... If the wind changes they may be washed up Whangarei Harbour and create a considerable nuisance.

So far as is known such a large number of .blackfish has not been stranded, elsewhere in New Zealand. One theory is that during the mating season the blackfish become excited and drift along perpendicularly with the current Upon feeling hard bottom with their tails they become panicky and dash in any direction, often into shallow water, from which there is no escape for fish of their - size. , ' ■< ‘ •'