ABOUT WHITEBAIT

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 171, 21 August 1929, Page 8

ABOUT WHITEBAIT

MEETING OF FISHERMEX AT CLH'E. PROPOSED NEW REGULATIONS. M itb tlio object of discussing the proposed new dopartmontal rcgulations govcrning whitebait fishing a meeting was held at Clive last evening, Mr S. Dockary presiding over an attcndance of some 56 interested persons. General resentment was expressed at the idea of the Ashers being regulated in any wav but later in tlie meeting it was found and deeided tliat regulations governing certain phases of tlieir activities would lielp a great deal. Mr A. Petersen was present, representing the Customs and Marine Department. and he said tliat tlie department wished to assist the fishers, not to liinder them, and wished to know tlieir opinions regarding the proposed regulations. The new proposed regulation for the open season between August 14 until the end of Octolier was considered too late, Mr Hellyer suggesting that from July I to the end of October would he more suitahle. Mr T. Cross moved in this direction, this being earried unanimously. A clause proposing to license fishers for whitebait was strcnuously opposed by tbe meeting and a motion was adopted to tliis efi'ect. M'itb regard to the question of distances between nets, a resolution was passed tliat no person should be permitted to fisli either with a scoop net or set net within two chains of another fisher. Tbe opinion was expressed by Mr Petersen thab it was liigh time tliat a regulation to this effeet was brought into operation. A resolution was also passecl agrceing with the regulation that no person shoukl be allowed to use more than one net at one time. It was pointecl out that this had been the praetise in the past and had worked very well. Tlie proposed regulations, dealing with the size of nets used, suggested a reduetion in tlie size of tho opening from the present eight square feet to five square feet. Mr Cross staunelily opposed this sclieme, stating that the nets at present in use were too small. Mrhat was really needed in his opinion was a larger opening and lie proposed that a rcniit be sent forward to the department that the area of the moutlx be increased by tliree square feet beyond tbe present diniensions. After more discussion it was deeided to support tlie Soutliland resolution tliat tlie moutbs of nets be nine square feet in area. In addressing the meeting, Mr Petersen said tliat Ihe department was not trving to restrict the fishing. It was only attempting to assist the fishermen in their efforts. The department was curious over whitebait and in this connection wanted to know wlietlier whitebait came from tlie inanga. In connection with tliis, IMr Cross said that he was convinced that that was the case. He declared that once the practice of taking inanga was stopped, the wliole prpblem of the scarcity of whitebait would be solyed. After further discussion, 111 which it was deeided that fishing at the muuth should remain as at present, Mr Hellyer being the only dissentient, the meeting closed with a votc of thanks to the chairnian.