H—ls

The totals for the principal classes of fishery products exported for the last three years are given below :

A more detailed report of the quantities and kinds of fish and shell-fish is given in Table VIII. Sardines The landings of sardines at Picton show an increase over last year's figures. The figures for the total sardine catch at Picton during the last five years are as follows : Cwt. 1948 .. .. \. .. .. .. 896 1947 .. .. .. .. .. .. 97 1946 .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,191 1945 .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,458 1944 .. .. .. .. .. .." 4,281 Fish-liver Oil This branch of the industry showed a decrease over last year's figures. The weight of livers treated 677,435 lb., a decrease of 20,871 lb., and fish-liver oil produced 24,083 gallons, a decrease of 6,344 gallons, as compared with last year's figures. A total of 17,712 gallons of fish-liver oil was exported, a decrease of 9,313 gallons on last year's figure. Whaling A total of 92 whales, all humpbacks, was taken during the season, thefirstwhale being caught on 4th May and the last on 29th July. The best period during the season was from 16th June to 10th July, during which 60 whales were taken. The total of 92 whales was made up of 45 males and 47 females. Bad weather and discoloured water in Cook Strait, with the whales migrating closer than usual to the coast of the North Island, weighed against the work of the hunters. The yield was 644 tons of oil, 80 tons of bonedust, and 40 tons of whale-meat (canned). Seals The close season for taking seals was extended for a further three years. Another scientific expedition to gain further information on seal colonies took place during July, 1948. It is hoped to have the results of these expeditions published as a fishery bulletin in the near future.

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Quantity. "Value. 1946. 1947. 1948. 1946. I 1947. 1948. Oysters, fresh *Mussels Fish, frozen Crayfish, frozen Fish, smoked, dried, &c. Fish and shell-fish (canned) 85,400 doz. 27,698 cwt. 1,487 cwt. 2,602 cwt. 450,0441b. 950 doz. 41,800 cwt. 2,335 cwt. 4,384 cwt. 649,5651b. 1,020 doz. 75 cwt. 54,671 cwt. 3,731 cwt. 1,625 cwt. 755,307 lb. £ 2,819 139,065 7,455 15,277 66,618 £ 27 235,079 17,140 27,533 78,439 £ 30 531 340,441 44,466 11,419 96,849 Total values 231,234 358,218 493,736 * In previous years mussels have been included in fish, frozen.