H—ls

Toheroas The state of the toheroa-beds on the Ninety-mile Beach is still a matter of concern to this Department. The beds are taking a long time to recover from the heavy mortality of a few years ago. The position is being closely watched, to avoid any over-exploitation. Mussels The catch of mussels in the Thames-Coromandel-Auckland area fell from 13,156 sacks in 1945 to 10,568 sacks in 1946. Whitebait Fishery, 1946 Season The table given below summarizes the information obtained from the principal whitebait-fishing centres for the 1946 season :

Whitebait Fishery, 1946 Season

While the estimated total, 6,578 cwt., compares favourably with that of previous years, 8,698 cwt. in 1945 (the highest recorded) and 5,002 cwt. in 1944, nevertheless the season generally was a poor one. The phenomenal quantities of whitebait taken in the Wellington west coast riverscompared with the quantities usually taken there had a marked effect on the total. On the other hand, the Waikato River and Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay rivers fished very poorly indeed.

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District. Bivers fished. Fishing began. Best Month. Number of Fishermen (Approximately). Total Quantitycaught (Approximately). Whole Time. Part Time. Cwt. Auckland Waikato July.. Sept.-Oct. 210 • 795 Bay of Plenty .. Kaituna, Tarawera, Eangitaiki July.. Sept. 20 '24 42 Hawke's Bay .. Tukituki, Ngaruroro July.. Oct. 15 60 27 Wairarapa Lake Onoke Aug... Nov. 2 18 120 Wellington Waikanae, Waimeha, Mangone, Otaki, WaiJuly.. Oct.-Nov. 56 231 1,000 kawa, Ohau, Hokio, Manawatu, Bangitikei Wanganui Turakina, Wanganui, Kai Iwi Sept. Nov. 12 8 Patea.. Waitotara, Whenuakura, Patea, Tangahoe, Ohawe Sept. Oct. 10 Taranaki Mokau, Waitara, Awakino, Urenui, Waiongona, July.. Oct. 150 52 Mimi, Waiwakaiho, Te Henui Nelson Aorere, Takaka, Motueka Aug... Dec. 17 43 65. Marlborough .. Wairau, Opawa, Omaka Aug... Nov. 10 20 64 North Canterbury Clarence, Kahautara, Conway, Waiau, Hurunui, Aug... Late Nov. 8 80 22 Waipara Christchurch .. Ashley, Waimakariri, Styx, Avon, Heathcote, Aug... Nov. 76 260 197' ' Selwyn, Bllesmere South Canterbury Ashburton, Bangitata, Orari, Opihi.. Aug... Nov. 12 160 32 Otago Waitaki, Wainakaroa, Shag, Pleasant, Kakanui, Aug... Sept.-Oct. 15 30 93 Waikouiti, Taieri, Tokomairiro, Molyneaux, Puerua, Owaka, Waikawa Southland Mataura, Titiroa, Waihopai, Oreti, Waimatuku, Aug... Sept—Oct. 35 50 215 Aparima, Waiau West coast — Wataroa Wanganui, Wataroa, Waiho, Karangarua, Aug... Oct. 270 20 • 1,245 Jacobs, Paringa, Blue, Haast, Okura, Arawhata,. Cascade Boss Totara, Waitaha, Mikonui Aug... Oct.-Nov. 14 23 96 Hokitika Arahura, Hokitika, Mahinapua Aug... Late Nov.157 450 673 Greyroouth .. Grey, New, Teremakau Aug... Nov. 3 221 263 Westport Kowhai, Karamea, Little Wanganui, Mokihinui, Aug... Oct.-Nov. 30 500 1,568 Ngakawhau, Waimangaroa, Orawaiti, Buller, Little and Big Totara, Nile 6,5T8