H—ls

Toheroas The recovery of the toheroa beds on Mnety-mile Beach from the mortality of .-several years ago is disappointingly slow. A detailed survey of the toheroa stocks on Muriwai Beach formed part of the general programme of maintaining a close watch on the welfare of this fishery. Particular attention was paid to the northern half of the beach, where the stocks are heaviest. In the course of this work over 12,000 toheroa were measured and grouped according to size. The result indicated that, while the stock was in a healthy condition with a balanced proportion of growing sizes, it was nevertheless insufficient to permit of commercial exploitation. Mussels The catch of mussels in the Thames-Coromandel-Auckland area showed a rise this year as compared with last year's figure. The grounds are still holding well, though ■on two occasions the quality of the mussels varied somewhat, but have picked up again now. The table below shows the catch of mussels over the past five years :

Whitebait Fishery, 1947 Season The table given below summarizes the information obtained from the principal whitebait-fishing centres for the 1947 season :

Whitebait Fishery, 1947 Season

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— 1943-44. 1944. 1945. 1946. 1947. Total quantity landed Sacks. 16,741 Sacks. 15,390 Sacks. 13,156 Sacks. 10,568 Sacks. 16,261

Number of Total Quantity caught District. Principal Rivers fished for which Returns were received. Best Period. Fishermen (Approximately). Regular. Casual. (Approximately). Cwt. Auckland Waikato, Paeroa Sept. 127 70 887 Bay of Plenty .. Kaituna, Tarawera, Rangitaiki Aug.-Sept. 8 54 115 Hawke's Bay .. Tukituki, Ngaruroro Oct. 50 50 22 Wairarapa Lake Onoke Oct. 4 10 4 Wellington Waikanae, Waimeha, Mangone, Otaki, Waiotahu, Ohau, Oct.-Nov. 50 50 108 Hokio, Manawatu Marlborough Wairau, Omaka, Opawa Oct. 6 100 Horth Canterbury Hurunui, Waipara Oct. ' '7 8 Christchurch Saltwater Creek, Ashley, Waimakariri, Styx, Avon, Selwyn Oct. 53 99 145 South Canterbury Rakaia, Ashburton, Orari, Temuka, Opihi, Rangitata, Pareora, Waitaki (north bank) Oct. 29 55 97 •Otago Molyneux, Taieri, Puerua, Waipori, Kakanui, Shag, Sept.-Oct. 34 54 116 Tokomairiro, Owaka, Waikouaiti, Catlins, Pleasant, Wainakarua, Waitaki (south bank) Mataura, Oreti, Titiroa, Otakou, Aparima, Makarewa, Sept.-Oct. 46 61 315 Waihopai, Waiau, Waikiwi, Duck Creek, Pourakino and Omit, "Waimatuku, Waikawa, Tokonui 'West Coast— Wataroa Big Wanganui, Little Wanganui, Wataroa, Waitangi, Okarito, Waikukupa, Cook, Saltwater, Karangarua, Oct.-Nov. 226 7 2,568 Jacobs, Mahitahi, Paringa, Blue, Waiata, Haast, Okuru, Turnbull, Waitoto, Arawhata, Cascade Ross Totara, Waitaha, Mikonui Oct.-Nov. 21 21 310 Hokitika Arahura, Three-mile, Hokitika, Mahinapua Oct.-Nov. 208 5 552 Greymouth .. Grey, New, Teremakau Oct.-Nov. 53 80 452 Westport Karamea, Little Wanganui, Mokihinui, Granity, Pair-Oct.-jSTov. 72 240 1,257 down, Orawaiti, Buller, Big Totara, Little Totara 7,056