85 



The four most important as regards the market, are — The 

 Horse Mackerel, the White or Silver Trevally, the Snot- 

 gall Trevally, and the Mackerel Trevally. 



The first, the Horse Mackerel, occurs in these waters in 

 vast numbers. The young are seen all round the bays of the 

 upper waters of the Derwent during the autumn. The 

 mature fish are in fair esteem in the market, but the fisher- 

 men are prevented from extending- tlie 'catcii' of these 

 numerous fishes because of the limited demand. They are 

 not exported. The young appear to form the chief pi'ey of 

 the Kingfish (Tliyrsites Solandrl). 



The Silver Trevally are very much prized for food, and 

 are caught at times in considerable quantities in the Tamar 

 and at South Arm during the autumn. Although it is said 

 that they grow to a considerable size, the smaller ones are 

 alone seen in local markets. They are caught by graball 

 and seine, as a rule, but they take bait readily, and may be 

 caught with hook and line. They are extremely pretty, 

 silvery fish, with a barbed keel along each side towards the 

 tail. 



The Snotgall Trevally ( Neptonenius hrcuna), although 

 inferior in quality to the Silver and Mackerel Trevally, 

 from its greater abundance and size is of much greater 

 importance as regards^ the general market supply. The 

 young enter the upper waters of the Derwent, and are 

 caught by rod and line from the jetties and wharves about 

 Hobart in considerable numbers during the months of 

 March and April. The Snotgall is better flavoured when 

 it is under one pound in weight. The larger individuals 

 are coarser, and are found towards the mouths of estuaries, 

 in deep water. They are frequently found from two to two 

 feet six inches long, and at this size would average twelve 

 to fourteen pounds in weight. They are taken with hook 

 and line, without a sinker, and are thus caught sometimes 

 in very large quantities. They are sold in the market at 

 rates averaging irom 85. to 12^-. per dozen for 12 lb. to 14 lb. 

 fish, and are exported in considerable quantities to Victoria, 

 where the larger fish appear to be in greater favour than in 

 the local market. 



The Mackerel Snotgall or Trevally ( Neptune nius dohida, 

 Giinth.) seldom reaches a length of twelve inches, is more 

 elongate for its size than the last species, and is esteemed a 

 greater delicacy for the table. Unfortunately, although 

 appearing in the estuary of the Derwent during March and 

 April in considei*able numbers in certain years, they are 



