H.—44a.

Haurahi Gulf. 15. That in Hauraki Gulf further restrictions on Danish-seining be enforced as under :— (a)* First-class Danish-seiners to be restricted to outside a line from Cape Colville to Rodney Point all the year round. (b)* Second-class Danish-seiners, while towing, to be restricted to the trawling limits as they are to-day, summer and winter. If working as seine boats with the anchor down, they should be allowed on the present seine limits, excepting that the line Cow Island to Hill 770 should be their boundary all the year round to keep them off the " Dab Patch." Any conviction for a breach of any of the seining regulations should, in addition to any other penalty, send the vessel out to the proposed trawler line. (c)* Third-class Danish-seiners to be subject to no further restrictions, except that any conviction for a breach of the seining regulations should put them out with the second-class seiners. (d) No vessel built or licensed as a seiner for the purpose of replacement shall be permitted to come under the second and third classes, whatever her size or power. Whangarei District. 16. That at Whangarei that portion of the sea marked by a line one mile off shore from Bream Tail to Ruakaka and from there by a straight line to Bream Head be closed against Danish-seining. Bay of Islands. 17. That at Bay of Islands the limits for seining as given for the months of November, December, January, and February in the regulations, Serial No. 152/1937, gazetted 15th April, 1937, shall be in force all the year round, consideration also to be given to the extension of the closed area to inside a line from Cape Wiwiki to Cape Brett. Whangaroa. 18. That at Whangaroa the limits remain as at present. Doubtless and Rangaunu Bays. 19. That at Doubtless and Rangaunu Bays the regulations as gazetted closing these areas for the months of November, December, January, and February be enforced for the whole year. General. 20. That the carrying of deck loads of fish by seine boats be prohibited immediately. 21. That an investigation be instituted to ascertain the effect on the escapement of small fish of an increase in the size of the mesh of Danish seine nets in (a) the balance of the cod-end, and (b) other portions of the net. 22. That investigations be conducted into the practicability of replacing Danish-seining as a method of fishing in inshore waters by the use of deep set-nets lifted by mechanical means. 23. All proposed restrictions to be in addition to those already in force, 24. We also recommend that an adequate patrol service be provided by the Government to ensure that the limits be respected. This means the immediate strengthening of the Auckland fisheries patrol fleet. In addition to the new vessel, provision for which has been made, at least one other vessel, not necessarily fitted for fishing, but fast and seaworthy, is required in replacement of one of the present fleet, which are all far too slow. 25. That all fishermen be circularized by the Marine Department drawing their attention to the fact that regulations are made to protect their interests, and urging them to assist the Government in the enforcement of the regulations issued. Set-netting. New Zealand. 26. That a regulation be made fixing the size of mesh of set-nets used for taking butterfish at 4 in. This regulation should have Dominion-wide application. Thames. 27. That the legal size of the mesh for set-nets in the Thames district be increased from 4£ in. to 5 in., and that the nets be condemned as soon as they reach 4§ in. 28. That, in common with the rest of New Zealand, the legal size of all flat fish taken by this or any other means be increased from 9 in. to 10 in. in length. 29. That as soon as possible this district receive more active and continuous supervision from a fisheries officer ; the present staff at Auckland and Coromandel have enough work with their present duties and cannot give the fishing port of Thames the regular attention it requires. Kaipara. 30. That "stalling" be prohibited in Kaipara during the months of December, January, and February in each year. 31. That the mesh of set-nets used for taking flounder be increased from \\ in. to 4f in. after allowing the men time to use up the gear in hand.

* For the definition of these classes, see page 20.

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