H. -16.

From returns submitted by local Inspectors of Fisheries the statement given below has been prepared.

Whitebait Fishery.

It will be understood from the foregoing remarks that these returns do not constitute a complete record of the produce of this fishery, nor is it possible to give its approximate total value. The 2,941 cwt. of whitebait given as the total yield of the principal whitebaiting rivers would have an average wholesale value of, say, two shillings per pound, or about £11 per cwt., so that the total value would be not less than £32,000. During the year 66,386 Ib. of canned whitebait was exported, valued for Customs purposes at £7,459. The productiveness of whitebait-fishing is much affected by the weather, and it may be said with truth that the heavy rains of spring and the resultant flooded rivers have done more than anything to conserve our whitebait stocks. In the 1931 season the fishery on the west coast of the South Island was considerably hampered by floods and the catches were below average. A report from Marlborough, on the other hand, states that the catches were much below normal, perhaps owing to very dry weather. The Manawatu River is said to have had the best season for many years. The Tutaekuri and Esk Rivers in Hawke's Bay have been affected (probably through loss of spawning-grounds) by the raising of their beds by the great earthquake of 1931. The whitebait runs in the season, following showed a great reduction below normal. It is stated that they were also probably affected by more than usual snow-water. The whitebait fisheries as a whole, though varying considerably from year to year owing to natural causes, have undoubtedly shown a general decline in every succeeding decade since the earlier years of settlement. Overfishing, drainage, cultivation, and stocking of lands and the predations of such introduced fish as trout have each in some degree contributed to this reduction, and there is urgent need, before it is too late, to throw light on the extent and significance of each of these factors. The discovery of the peculiar circumstances connected with spawning of the species has already provided a solution to one problem of first importance. This knowledge should be acted upon and measures taken not only for the protection of known spawning-grounds, but also for the restoration or creation of other grounds where conditions are naturally suitable. It is very much to be regretted that the state of the Department's finances has not permitted the extension of the work of locating spawning-places to all the more important whitebait waters of the Dominion, nor to carry into practice the recommendations previously made for the protection of those spawning-places which are now known. Up to about two years ago the Department possessed no knowledge at all as to the natural propagation of whitebait, and a somewhat vague and sketchy understanding of the exploitation of this fishery. While our understanding of the natural history of the species has taken a considerable step forward, our surveillance of the human operations, which involve not increase but decrease of the whitebait supplies, remains very imperfect and unsatisfactory. It is the job of the Fisheries Department to control and regulate the fisheries. It must first acquire the necessary knowledge or

19

Number of Fishermen. „, . , inspccun s Hirers fished. Method of Fishing. Fishing began Best Month. Quantity Whole Part cau S ht: Time. Time. I 1931 . Cwt. Auckland .. Lower Waikato .. Hand-net .. ; 28th June September .. 120 SO 1,181 Napier . . Tukutuki, Ngaruroro, j Set-nets .. ! July .. November . . SO 30 58 Wairoa New Plymouth Mokau, Wai tar a, Hand and set nets September Mid September to (?) (?) 08 Mohokatina, Tonga- mid October porutu Foxton . . Manawatu .. Set-nets .. July .. October .. .. 70 86 Blenheim .. Wairau, O p a w a, (?) Early in September .. j (?) (?) 17 Omaka, Tuamarina October (approx.) Stream, Spring Creek Greymouth .. Grey River, Terema- i Hand-nets .. Mid August Mid October to 20 200 246 kau mid November Hokitika .. Hokitika, Teremakau, Set and hand nets ! September October and first 216 250 360 Mahinapua, Totara, (trenches) part of NovemArahura, Waitaha, ber Three-mile, Mikinui Matainui, South BigWanganui, Poerua, Set and hand nets J September End of October 32 6 446 Westland Wataroa, O k u r u, and early NoHaast, Maori, Jacobs vember River Christchurcb.. Styx, Ashley, Avon, Hand and set nets August November .. 300 (?) 73 Waimakariri Bunedin .. J Taieri, Clutha, Wai- Hand-nets .. September October .. (?) (?) 355 kouaiti, Shag Invereargill .. Mataura, Oreti, Maka- Hand-nets .. September October to No- .. 100 51 rewa, A p a r i m a, vember Waihopu Totals .. .. .. .. .. .... 2,941 cwt. (approx.)