FISH INDUSTRY. 



these limits, however, it is pkntiful in suitable localities, such as tho 

 Gippsland Lakes, and niiglit well repay a little care in its culture and 

 preservation, especially as it lives and thrives in laud-locked ponds, is 

 very hardy, grows to a weight of three pounds and upwards, and gives 

 good sport to anglers. 



In the Murray Cod, Oliijanis nuu-qiKiricusis, our western rivers can 

 boast of a fish far beyond the Perch in intrinsic value, a iish too 

 which, in the quality of its llesh and the great size to which it grows, 

 is the compeer of any known purely fresli-water species. 



To tho species above mentioned must bo added several marine 

 Serranids which occur more or less numerously on our coast. 'J'he 

 best known and most esteemed of these is the Black Kock-Cod, 

 Einnephelus dsemeli, a fine fish which grows to upwards of a hun- 

 dred pounds in weight and is in great request for the table, but has 

 from some cause or other become very scarce in the metropolitan 

 district, and is now rarely seen in our markets and then of small size, 

 even though it always commands a high price. On other parts of 

 the coast, however, such as the Seal Rocks and the Solitaries, and 

 at Lord Howe Island and Elizabeth Reef, they may be taken of tho 

 largest size and in almost any quantities, and if regularly sought 

 for^which would be the case if there Avcre an assured market — 

 would probably develop into a valuable article of commerce whether 

 salted, smoked, or tinned. An allied species, the Giant Cod, Eplrnqdudus 

 itaiara, is taken not unfrequently in the estuaries of our northern 

 rivers, and attains to at least three times the weight of its congener. 

 Another well known species is the Wirrah, Acanthistms serratus, which 

 is much more common, but does not nearly grow to the size of the 

 Black Rock-Cod, nor is its flesh so much esteemed. 



The small family Arripididx is represented on our coast by the so- 

 called Salmon, Arrvpis trutta^ and as this species is exceedingly 

 abundant, and schools at the surface at stated periods, it might be 

 taken in enormous numbers during its migrations, in the same way 

 and by the same nets as the Mullet, as well as by the seine on the 

 ocean beaches, and such as are not consumed locally could be utilised 

 to form an inferior brand of salt fish. 



One of the most important families which frequent our seas is that of 

 the Sea Breams {Sparidx), to which belong some of our most common 

 and valued edible fishes, such as the Schnapper, Sparosomus auratus, 

 the Black Bream, Chrijsoplirys australis, and the Tarwhine, C. datnia. 



So muchhas been written about the Schnapper and Schnapper-fishing 

 that it seems supererogatory to increase the literature of the subject 

 here. In this Colony the supply of Schnappers is almost entirely due 

 to the line fishermen, who seek them on well known reefs at moderate 

 depths, and off rocky points and bomboras. During the early summer 

 months these fishes school, the shoals consisting of adults intent on 

 breeding ; but as to where, or under what circumstances, this important 

 operation is carried out, or in what localities the ova are deposited, 

 we are still in the dark. They cure well, and are said to be equal to 

 the finest Cod, and much superior to Ling for that purpose. 



The Black Bream is everywhere abundant in our seas, and makes 

 its way up our rivers even beyond the limits of the tide; its favorite 

 haunts are, however, sheltered bays and estuaries, where it is taken m 



