H.—ls.

Dredge Oysters. The total landings for the 1934 season amounted to 52,254 sacks, as compared with 42,176 sacks for the previous one. The same fleet of seven steamers was operating, but a greater number of voyages were made and the average quantity landed per voyage was somewhat higher than in 1933. The quantity of canned oysters exported during the year shows a decline, 95,270 Ib. as against 128,028 lb. for 1932-33. The quantity of fresh oysters exported from BluS rose to 206,660 dozen, from 102,980 dozen for 1932-33. Toheroas. No opportunity occurred for visiting the two most important toheroa regions—the Ninety-mile Beach and the North Kaipara Beach —but from reports received it would appear that as a whole the stocks on each of these beaches are being maintained satisfactorily, though the more accessible and therefore more frequented areas of the North Kaipara Beach are still deficient as compared with former years. The two canneries were in operation during the winter and spring season and six licenses were taken out for commercial digging on the North Kaipara Beach during the year. The toheroa population of the Muriwai Beach is reported to be maintaining its former abundance only at a distance of ten to twenty miles from the road entrance at the southern end, with a satisfactory proportion of the younger year-groups. The beaches on the west coast between Waikanae and the Manawatu are still carrying good supplies of toheroas, especially on the Waitarere Beach near Levin, but the beds are narrow compared with those of North Auckland and there is apparently a relative shortage of the younger stages. On a visit to the Waitarere Beach in March, 1925, the Marine Biologist saw evidence of a recent mortality among the toheroas which was estimated to have amounted to about 30,000 to the mile. He considers the cause to have been the long-continued conditions of drought during the previous months which had greatly reduced, if not entirely stopped, the normal seepage of fresh water from the back of the sandhills to the beach, which drainage is necessary for the maintenance of adequate supplies of diatomaceous or other minute algae food for the toheroas. The surviving toheroas were thin and ill-nourished in appearance. The mortality was local and did not affect the whole of the toheroa area. The beds on the Ohope Beach near Whakatane are reported to be depleted of toheroas of large size, and it would appear that the prescription of a close season by regulation and provision of the means of enforcing the regulations would have beneficial results. Whitebait. The tabulated statement below gives a general view of the principal waters fished and the productivity of the fishery for the 1934 season.

Whitebait Fishery.

16

Number of Fishermen. Total Tnsmprtnr's (Approxi- Quantity Centre Rivers fished. Method of Fishing. Fishing began Best Month. mate.) caught. (ApproxiWhole Part mate.) Time. Time. Cwt. Auckland .. Waikato .. .. Hand-nets .. 22nd July Early October .. 60 50 645 Auckland .. Kaituna and Maketu Hand-nets .. 14th July August - Septem- 40 20 51 ber Auckland .. Matata and Tarawera Hand-nets .. 7th July .. October .. 56 36 122 (Bay of Plenty) Napier .. Tukituki, Ngaruroro, Set-nets .. July .. October .. 25 40 19 Wairoa New Plymouth Mimi, Urenui, Mokau, Set and hand nets August .. August .. .. 100 171 and Waitara Waitara, Waiwakaiho, &c. Foxton .. Manawatu .. Set-nets .. July .. October .. 5 20 23 Blenheim .. Wairau, Opawa, Tua Hand-nets .. September November .. 20 200 100 Marina, and Rose's Overflow Westport .. Buller, Orawaiti, Moki- Hand-nets .. August .. October .. 5 40 489 hinui Greymouth .. Teremakau, Grey, and Set and hand nets August .. October - early 60 200 266 New River November Hokitika .. Hokitika, Teremakau, Set and hand nets August .. October - early .. 145 880 f Arahura, „ Mahina- November pua Creek, Waimea, Totara, Waitaha Matainui .. Maori, Jacobs, Wai- Set-nets .. 1st Septem- October .. 14 .. 154 tangi, Wanganui ber Ohristchurch Ashley, Waimakariri, Set and hand nets August .. October .. .. 80 156 Salt Water Creek, Avon, Styx, Heathcote Dunedin .. Mataura, Oreti, Clutha, Hand-nets .. September October .. (?) (?) 76 Jacobs, Taieri, Waikouaiti Invercargill .. Mataura, Oreti, Apa- Set and hand nets August .. September-Octo- 100 150 89 rima, Makarewa ber Total .. .. .. .. .. .... 3,241