Io THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 
fish after capture, better means of despatch to selling centres, 
and—most important of all—a comprehensive and up-to-date 
' scheme of distribution to the people. No very complete or 
satisfactory system of fish supply, as far as the individually 
small consumers are concerned, has so far been evolved, 
notwithstanding that it is recognised on all sides that the 
public desire for fresh fish is so deep-seated that the present 
supply might be very considerably augmented without there 
being any danger of it exceeding the demand. : 
Exclusive of the Sharks and Rays, about five hundred 
species of fishes are at present known to inhabit the waters 
of New South Wales; and of these, about two hundred and 
fifty may be regarded as edible* kinds. Very many of the 
latter are of present commercial importance, while among 
the others are to be found a considerable number of species 
which only await the advent of different methods of capture 
to those at present in vogue to become of the highest 
importance in our fisheries. (This matter is again referred 
to by me in dealing with the individual species.) 
Though our fisheries are capable of enormous expansion 
(and here I am referring only to that great portion of the 
fisheries concerned with the fishes alone), their present value 
is really very considerable and far greater than most people— 
even residents in the State—have imagined. 
During the last five years an amount of 48,243,238 lb. 
(or 643,243 baskets) of fish has passed through the fish 
markets of New South Wales. This amount was distri- 
buted throughout the various years as under} :— 
Year. lb. 
TQ03') b... ... 10,596,000 
TOQO4) 3 vee 19,389,250 
E905, nus .20i 8, IQEZAT;O50 
TOG)! -... ... . 9,666,289 
TOOY: | 6 - 9,350,049 
*T use the term “ eaible ” here a the sebsetemplamcd: by ene henna introductory 
note to the list of fishes farther on. 
+ All amounts are calculated at the rate of 75 lb. weight per basket. 
