A MUCH-NEGLECTED FISH. 25 
Pilchard or Maray (Clupanodon neopilchardus). 
Prare IV. 
A fish which is potentially of immense importance, but 
which is at present but little used. It is by far the most 
important of the Herring family in the waters of New South 
Wales, occurring, as it does at certain seasons, in enormous 
shoals covering vast areas, and comprising incredible numbers. 
This statement applies to both young and adult stages. 
The Australian Pilchard is, to all intents and purposes, 
practically identical, as a food product, with the Sardine of 
commerce; and many thousands of pounds might be made 
out of its capture in the waters of New South Wales annually. 
At times, so densely packed together are the shoals, that it 
has been found possible to dip a basket into the sea and lift 
it out half full of the pilchards. In the pursuit of this and 
our smaller clupeids, a lucrative fishery awaits persons of 
enterprise, experience, and resource. 
The Pilchard “smokes ”’ well, and a small quantity is so 
treated annually in New South Wales. Shoals of pilchards 
are to be found at various times throughout the year, but 
those consisting of the mature fishes, averaging about 9 or 
to inches in length, are in their greatest magnitude during 
spring and early summer, notably—in my own experience— 
during the month of September. These shoals are usually 
making north. 
In. regard to bodily shape and structure, the Pilchard is 
elongate, with the body rather rounded and very “ fleshy.’’ 
It. is covered with thin, fairly large, and very deciduous 
scales. The abdominal scutes, which are such a prominent 
feature in some of the members of the Herring family are 
very slightly developed, and the belly is rounded. These 
features, coupled with the looseness of the scales, are of great 
importance in assisting to elevate this valuable fish to the 
rank of a first-class food product. 
The Pilchard commonly attains to a length of g or Io 
inches, individuals of a larger size occurring in most shoals. 
