FISHES. MCCULLOCH. 169 



REPORT ON THE FISHES. 



Pabt 4. 



A CONSIDERATION of the outcome of the investigations of the 

 " Endeavour " under the direction of the late Mr. Harald C. 

 Dannevig proves that his contentions favouring the estabhsh- 

 ment of the trailing industry^ in Austraha were well founded. 

 In spite of much adverse criticism, he maintained the opinion 

 that quantities of marketable fish were obtainable within 

 reasonable distance of market centres, basing his arguments 

 upon a practical knowledge of the catches of the " Endeavour" 

 at numerous stations between Bowen on the Queensland 

 coast, and Gerald ton in Western Australia. Some of his 

 Reports upon the work have been pubUshedi, but he was 

 engaged upon an analysis of the investigations, particularly 

 those around the south and south-eastern coasts, when he was 

 lost with his ship and all her company. 



Largely owing to the influence of his work, however, and 

 imder the skilful management of Mr. David G. Stead, the 

 Govermnent of New South Wales has now estabhshed three 

 trawlers, and considers the project sufficiently profitable to 

 warrant its extension in the near future. Representatives of 

 other States are likewise looking favourably uj^on the trawling 

 industry, so that it is possible that Mr. Dannevig 's hope of 

 an abundant supply of trawled fish forming a valuable 

 addition to the food-supply of several Austrahan cities may 

 soon be reahsed. 



Owing to the depletion of the staff of the Australian 

 Museum, caused by the enhstment of several of its members, 

 the difficulty of handling the large collection of fishes made 

 by the " Endeavour " has been greatly increased. For the 

 same reason it has not been possible to devote so much time 

 to their study as formerly, which will account for the brevity 

 of the following Report. 



I am indebted to Mr. Stead for assistance in procuring fresh 

 specimens of several of the rays described in the following 

 pages. I also owe much to my assistants, Mr. Ellis Troughton 

 and Mr. Frank McNeil for their wiUing help in dealing with 

 the specimens referred to herein. 



1. Reports by the Director of Fisheries — 



Commonwealth Parliam-entarv Report, 1909. No. 69. — F. 15398. 



1910, No. 70.— F.16668 

 1910, No. 47.— F.13794 

 1910, No. 61.— F.16559 

 Notes on Australia's Fisheries, with a summary of the Results 

 obtained by the F.I.S. " Endeavour," Melbourne, 1913 (JDept! 

 Trade and Customs). 



