[5 J FISHERIES OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 1187 



found in Tasmaniau waters one hundred and eighty-eight different spe- 

 cies of known sea and river fishes, of which about one-third are regarded 

 as good edible fish. Of the latter, about twenty species are found in 

 sufficient numbers to afford a regular supply for the market. One of 

 the most highly-prized among these, both on account of its size and 

 flavor, is the trumpeter, which is taken at a depth of from 10 to 80 

 fathoms, and sometimes reaches a weight of 60 or more pounds. Tas- 

 manian fishermen heretofore have depended principally for large re- 

 turns upon the kingfish, of which, however, owing to its migratory 

 habits, the supply is very uncertain. In 1874-'75 it appeared in such 

 vast numbers that the fish were actually sold for manure, while in 1881 

 the export was merely nominal. 



Shoals of sprats, anchovies, and mackerel periodically visit the Tas- 

 maniaii waters ; but, in the absence of the proper appliances for their cap- 

 ture and preservation, these large stores of wealth have hitherto re- 

 mained inutilized. Among the crustaceans the most important, com- 

 mercially, is the crawfish, which is found in great numbers, esi^ecially 

 on the eastern coasts; but which, notwithstanding its present abundance, 

 is threatened with total extinction, owing to its wholesale capture irre- 

 sijective of size or condition. 



Eeferring to the Tasmaniau oyster fisheries, which, twenty years 

 ago, were of great commercial importance, the commissioners remarked : 



"It is astonishing to contemplate the fact that the quantity then 

 brought to market in one year would now, at current prices, realize a 

 sum of £93,125 (about $450,000) ; that is, a sum more than the equiva- 

 lent of the value of the last three years' export of grain, hay, flour, and 

 bran from Tasmania. It is not surprising that those who remember 

 the abundance and commercial value of the original oyster-beds should 

 again and again have attempted to do something to "improve this at 

 present neglected and almost obsolete industry, and to claim the aid of 

 Parliament in promoting the welfare of an industry which reasonably 

 might again become of wide national importance. 



" When we consider that the only natural beds which may be profit- 

 ably worked are now to be found in the vicinity of Spring Bay, and 

 that the total yield does not amount to more than one hundred thousand 

 oysters per year, it is humiliating for us to confess that the lesson in 

 oyster culture given to the world by France, many years ago, should 

 in this colony be so thoroughly disregarded." 



The commissioners reported that the efforts made from time to time 

 to acclimatize certain species of the salmonidse had been fairly success- 

 ful. This was especially true of the salmon trout and the large brown 

 trout. With regard to the successful introduction of the true salmon 

 {Salnio salar), the report of the commissioners left the question involved 

 in considerable doubt. They said, however : 



-' It is satisfactory to find that specimens sent to England for exami- 

 nation have been pronounced to possess the characteristics of true sal- 



