Pilchards in the Bay

Back in 1964, considerable investigations were carried out into the feasibility of catching pilchards in Tasman Bay in economic quantities. At the time, Dr E. B. Slack, reader in applied fisheries at Victoria University, forecast a great potential for this type of fishing in Tasman Bay. And just last month the Marine Department ship, W. J. Scott, proved this forecast by netting 30 tons of the fish in the bay. Fifteen tons were brought back to Nelson for processing into fish meal and the rest were released. These two pix were taken by Dr Slack.

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They show, at Right, Captain John Hollins on the large dip net as the fish are brought aboard.

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Live fish swim around at right. The fish, floating belly up at left, are dead.