ANNUAL FISH SUPPLY. 



II 



This would show an average of 9,648,648 lb. per 

 annum; but, in addition to the quantities here given, a very 

 large amount is sold without ever passing through recognised 

 markets, and of which no record is at present obtained. 

 Again, there is a considerable quantity of fish (freshwater) — 

 principally Murray Cod — captured annually in New South 

 Wales rivers and forwarded through several border towns 

 into Victoria. During the last five years this aggregated not 

 less than 636,496 lb., made up as under: — ■ 



Year. lb. 



More than nine-tenths of the New South Wales fish supply 

 is obtained from the coastal estuaries and lakes by means 

 of hauling and meshing nets. That which yields by far the 

 greatest supply is the estuary of the Clarence River, from 

 which during the last five years a quantity of 8,041,025 lb. 

 has been forwarded to the metropolitan markets, the figures 

 for each year being as follows : — 



Year. lb. 



1903 1.6477.50 



1904 1,086,875 



1905 1.594.350 



1906 1.931,325 



1907 1,780,725 



The great bulk of the market supply is made up of the 

 following kinds : — Black Bream, Blackfish, Flathead, Whiting, 

 Jewfish, Mullet, and Snapper; the most numerous being the 

 various species of Mullet (principally Sea Mullet). 



Although strictly speaking — not being fishes — they should 

 not be included here, I feel it incumbent upon me also, to 

 make some mention of the edibte Crustaceans and Oysters 



