11

H—M

The net profit on the sale of the rock-oysters last season was £1,146 17s. 2d., and from the improved condition of the beds it is reasonable to expect a substantial increase on that amount this season— an amount which would be equal to 5 per cent, on the £25,000 required ; and if the Government act on my recommendation to work the Foveaux Strait oyster-beds, a much larger profit should be derived from them than from the rock-oysters, so that from the start the fisheries will pay good interest on the money expended on building up this valuable industry. I do not think the Government should take up regular fishing for market, but should confine itself to opening up the fishing-grounds and assisting fishermen in every reasonable way. This will result in a large increase in the number of fishermen, which will give the desired result—viz., a large and more regular supply of fish being brought in. The following is a resume of the replies received to my Jetters of the 29th November, 1912, addressed to the authorities controlling the fishing industry :— 1. How are the fisheries administered —whether by a department, a Fisheries Board, or by Fishery Commissioners ? England. —Board of Trade ; transferred to the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 1903. Scotland.— -Fishery Board of Scotland. Ireland. —-Sea-fisheries, Department of Agriculture, &c. ; fresh-water fisheries, Boards of Conservators. Canada. —Department of Marine and Fisheries, Ottawa. Victoria. —-Department of Fisheries and Game. New South Wales. —-Chief Secretary's Department. Queensland. —The Marine Board of Queensland. South Australia.— Fisheries Department. Western Australia. —Department under control of Colonial Secretary. 2. What staff of officers are employed in connection with the fisheries — (a) at the Head Office, (b) in connection with scientific-research work, (c) at the various fishing-ports and fish-markets, and (d) in connection with the trout and other fresh-water fisheries ? - England. —Administrative Branch, 30 clerks. Research —Naturalist, Junior Assistant, Laboratory Assistant, skipper and crew of research steamer; collectors of fishery statistics, &c, 170 ; officers employed by local bodies. Scotland. —Secretary, 6 clerks, 2 typists, and 2 messengers, and 2 extra clerks proposed ; also, General Inspector of Sea Fisheries, Marine Superintendent, and Inspector of Salmon Fisheries (3 officers). The Fishery Board employ a fleet of 5 cruisers to enforce regulations, with complement of 5 masters, 10 officers, 10 engineers, and 69 men. Ireland. —Inspectors and clerks, 16 ; Scientific Adviser, 1 ; assistants, 2 ; Hydrographer, 1 ; typiste, 1 ; master of vessel, 1. Canada. —1 Superintendent of Fisheries, 1 Commissioner of Fisheries (scientific), 21 permanent clerks. Scientific research —A biological Board consisting of the Commissioner of Fisheries and mainly Professors from various Universities. In the outside service about 900 officers employed as fishery overseers at very small salaries, but results not considered satisfactory, and reorganization under consideration. Victoria.— Chief Inspector and 4 staff, 4 travelling Inspectors. No scientific officer, but a large number of honorary Inspectors. New South Wales. — (a) 8 clerks, 1 draughtsman and surveyor, 3 draughtsmen, 1 supervising Inspector ; (b) and (d) 1 Superintendent of Fishery Investigation, 1 clerk, 1 attendant, 2 Inspectors, 2 caretakers (also assist in other matters of fishery) ; (o) 30 Inspectors. Queensland. — (a) Officers of the Marine Board (number not given) ; (b) no scientific officer; (c) and (d) Inspectors at outports, but no information given as to number employed. South Australia. — (a) Chief Inspector, Senior Inspector (fish), Senior Inspector (oysters), 3 Inspectors ; (b) no scientific officer ; (c) and (d) 23 Inspectors and all police officers ex officio. Western Australia.—(a) Chief luspector of Fisheries and staff of secretary and 5 clerks and messenger (Aboriginal Department combined). 3. Please forward a copy of your Fishery Acts and Regulations, and also be good enough to state whether there are any special protective laws in foree — (a) with regard to closing any areas to fishing round any part of the coast, (b) fixing a minimum size-limit at which certain fish may be taken and marketed, and (c) prohibiting the use of certain nets in any locality, and also limiting the size of mesh of nets used in certain kinds of fishing ? England. —-With the exception of certain provisions with regard to oysters, crabs, and lobsters, there are no specific statutory enactments with respect to closed areas in English or Welsh waters, or specifying the minimum sizes—(1) at which fish may be taken, (2) of the mesh of nets. These matters can, however, be dealt with by by-law. Copies of the by-laws in operation are enclosed. Scotland. —(a.) Under the various sea-fishery statutes the Fishery Board have very extensive powers, both of regulating and prohibiting fishing. The Sea Fisheries Act, 1885, section 4, empowers them to make by-laws for restricting or prohibiting any method of sea-fishing within the exclusive fishing-limits of Scotland where they are satisfied such method is injurious. They are also empowered to prohibit trawling within certain areas, and, if considered advisable, out to a distance of thirteen miles, off the coast,- if