138 NEW SOUTH WALES 



the same species whicli are found on the home and middle grounds. 

 The time is not far distant when these outer grounds must be laid under 

 contribution, but for the next few years we are of opinion that the 

 supplies of fish procurable on the less remote and more easily accessible 

 grounds will suffice for all our requirements, not only in the way of fresh 

 fish, but also of dried or preserved fish. Still, if suitable vessels were 

 constructed and equipped, and if the necessary capital and enterprise 

 were forthcoming, there can be no doubt that a pi-ofitable industry lies 

 ready for immediate development, not only on the middle, but also on 

 the outer fisheries. The demands of the metropolis and inland towns 

 may, however, for some time be served by the establishment of properly 

 organized fishing stations within a distance of 100 miles north and south 

 of Port Jackson. We have already drawn attention to the very 

 favourable situation and conditions of Port Stephens and Jervis Bay for 

 this purpose, and we are of opinion that better positions for fishing 

 villages and for the establishment of industries connected with the curing 

 or other utilization of surplus catches cannot be found on our coast. 



Before leaving this portion of our subject, we desii'e to di-aw attention 

 to the alleged existence of extensive shell-banks or submarine ridges in 

 the immediate vicinity of Port Jackson. We are informed and believe 

 that these banks are a favourite resort for schnapper and other deep-sea 

 fish ; and it is not at all improbable that similar banks would be dis- 

 covered along the coast if a systematic search were entered upon. 



The following are the distances of the fishing grounds from Sydney : — 



To the North. 



Broken Bay ... .., ... ... ... 20 miles. 



Tuggerah Beach Lake ... ... ... 40 ,, 



Lake Macquarie ... ... ... ... 55 ,, 



Port Stephens ... ... ... ... ... 75 , , 



Cape Hawke ... ... ... ... ... 113 ,, 



River Manning ... ... ... ... 150 ,, 



And the Seal Rocks, 100 miles, for schnapper fishing. 



To the South. 



Shoalhaven ... ... ... 75 miles. 



Jervis Bay ... ... ... ... . 100 ,, 



Sir George's Basin .. ... 115 ,, 



Clyde River 150 ,, 



All for net fishing. 

 There are other fashing grounds further away both to the north and south, but 

 the distance would probably be considered too great. 



River Fisheries. — I add here a few remarks on the river fisheries, 

 which was not included in the subject as examined by the Commissioners. 

 The differences between the freshwater fishes are dealt with in the 

 chapter devoted to them, where the peculiarities of the eastern and 

 western waters are described. In the eastern rivers there is no fishery, 

 properly speaking ; the freshwater kinds are only sought by anglers and 

 spoi'tsmen. The list generally includes perch {Lates colonorum), a herring 

 {Clufea novce-hollandioi), which is also called a sprat, bream {Chryso- 

 2')hrys), a second kind of perch {Anthias ?), two eels [Anguilla aitstralis 

 and Murcenesox cinereus), two or three kinds of mullet (3fiigil), cat-fish 

 {Copidoglanis tandanus), and in one northern river the Murray cod. 

 Besides these there are occasionally both bream and flathead in fresh- 

 water. The bull-rout, gudgeons, etc., have been mentioned as far as 

 their importance or interest required. 



