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Sardines like these may be canned on commercial basis
This bucket of fish, landed at Gisborne wharf recently, may prove the small beginning of a big new industry for the district.
The fish are sardines, herrings and anchovies, caught during the first official mid-water trawl ever held off New Zealand.

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Neils and Sven wash net after trials
In normal trawls, the net passes over the sea-floor. Special Government permission was obtained for "Snowy" Highham's Lucia and the Marine Department's Ikatere to experiment at depths of from 36ft to 48ft with an imported Danish net.

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Miss Margaret McKenzie, Govt, ichthyologist, examines propoise's stomach
Main purpose of the trials was to test Mr Higham's belief that small fish like sardines, pilchards, anchovies, and herrings abound at mid-water levels during certain months of the year.
Assisting with the trials were Neils Madsen and Syen Hjorth (Below) who have used mid-water gear in Denmark.

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Swell almost hides the Lucia. In background is southern side of Young Nick's Head

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Bill Sampson, skipper of Ikatere, and Snowy Higham

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Gordon Wattie inspects the catch
Among those who took a keen interest in the trials was Mr Gordon Wattie (right) of J. Wattie Canneries. The fish caught were on the small side for canning, but more mature fish are expected to be netted in future trawls.

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The porpoise

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Vessels moored at wharf after trawl