H.—ls

Rock off Stewart Island. This resulted in a total of 10,457 sacks being taken from these most westerly beds. The purpose of the limit is to save undue exploitation of the beds which are normally used—i.e., the East and West Beds and the smaller beds contiguous thereto. It now appears from the Oyster Inspector's observations over a number of years that there is a definite drop in the catch per day from the Saddle Bed, the most extensive bed to the westward of the line mentioned above, and this, in conjunction with the disturbing fact that the average size of the oysters being dredged is declining—a sack of oysters used to contain from sixty-two to sixty-five dozen, whereas now the same sized sack contains seventy to eighty dozen raises the question as to whether or not the Department is wise in approving any extension to the 7,000-sack limit. The Foveaux Strait oyster-beds are the last of the large natural oyster-beds of the world, and it is the duty of the Government to prevent the depletion of these natural resources. It has been suggested that, instead of a seasonal limit of 7,(XX) sacks per vessel, a limit of 70 sacks per vessel per day's dredging should be imposed so as to (a) prevent excessive, catches, and (b) ensure more careful cultching so as to avoid waste of those oysters which, although above the legal size, are not sufficiently mature to be marketable.

Whitebait The total production for the 1943 whitebait season is estimated at approximately 5,002 cwt. on the basis of returns sent in by local Inspectors at the most important centres, which, however, do not cover all whitebait-fishing waters. The usual details for comparision with previous years are given in the summary that follows : —

Whitebait Fishery, 1943 Season

The Dominion total for the year is the highest recorded since special returns for whitebait-fishing were first collected in 1931. The previous year's catch, which would total somewhere between 1,300 cwt. and 1,400 cwt. for the 1942 season, was the lowest. The phenomenally successful fishing in Westland,

10

Number of Fishermen. Total (Appro*!- Quantity Inspector b Kivere flehetl. Method of Fishing. Fishing began. Beet Month. mately.) eaught Centre. (approxiWhole Part mately). : Time. Time. Cwt. Auckland .. Waikato .. .. Haml-ucts .. .. September .. 100 50 482 Auckland . . Kaituna . . . . Hand-nets . . Mid-August .. 25 67 Auckland .. Tarawera, Rangitaiki Hand-nets . . 2nd August September . . 16 . . 85 Kapler .. Ngaruroro, Tukituki Set and scoop nets July . . October .. 30 25 50 New Plymouth Waitara, Mokau, Awa- Hand and set nets July .. September-October .. 250 42 and Waitara kino, Waiongona, Mimi, Waiwakaiho, Onaero Wanganui .. Turakina, Kai Iwi, Hand-net .. September October .. .. 18 8 Wanganui Foxton .. Manawatu . . Hand-net .. July .. October . . .. 10 10 Blenheim .. Wairau, Opawa, Tua- Hand-net .. August .. October .. 3 20 45 marina Christchurch Waimakariri, Ashley, Hand and set nets August .. October .. 50 .. 134 Styx, Salt - water Creek, Waipara, Avon, Halsweii Teinuka .. Opihi, Orari .. Set-nets .. August .. November .. .. 30 Iβ Dunedin .. Molyneux, PuerUa, Hand-nets .. September October-November 10 20 07 Waikawa, Owaka, Taieri, Shag, Waikouaiti, Tokomairiro, Pleasant, Kakanui, Waitaki, Waiunakarua Dunedin .. Mat aura, Oreti, Hand and set nets August .. October-November 25 ;J0 186 Aparima, Titiroa, Otakau, Waiau, Waikiwi, Makarewa Wataroa .. ISig Wanganui, Karan- Set-nets .. September October .. (>0 .'!fi 1,991 garua, Waiatato, Maori, Mahitahi, Okuru, Poerua, Wataroa, Waitangi Hokitika .. Hokitika, Mahinapua Hand and set nets August .. October .. .. 127. !)88 Creek, Wairaea Stream, and neighbouring tidal streams Greymoutli .. Tcremakau, Grey .. Hand-nets .. August .. October-November .. 130 110 Westport .. Buller, Orowaiti,Nile, Hand-nets .. August .. October .. .. 60 40 656 Totara, Little Wanganui, Mokihinui, Karamea Karamea .. Karamea, Little Hand-nets .. 1st August September .. I 12 0 Wanganui Takaka .. Takaka .. .. Hand-nets .. August .. September .. 3 4 ; 15 Motueka .. Motueka, Moutere .. Hand and set nets August .. October . . 0 0 88 Total .. 5,002