chapter VI 

 FISHES 



The classification adopted for the fishes which have been introduced into 

 New Zealand is that of Professor G. A. Boulenger in the Cambridge 

 Natural History. 



Class PISCES 



Order TELEOSTEI 



Family Clupeid^e 



Herring (Clupea harengus) 



1 o the popular mind the introduction of the herring into New 

 Zealand waters is the most desirable form of acclimatisation work 

 which could be undertaken, as it is considered that its commercial 

 value to this country would be so great. The success which has 

 attended the introduction of certain species of Salmonidae has led 

 unthinking persons into the belief that it should be quite easy 

 to introduce other species of desirable fish, and as the majority 

 of people are unthinking, even if they do not come under Carlyle's 

 famous dictum, it is not to be wondered at that the introduction 

 of the herring has been frequently urged. A fairly full report 

 of the efforts which have been made, and of the difficulties which 

 have to be overcome has recently been, or is about to be, published 

 in a Bulletin of the New Zealand Science and Art Board on "The 

 History of the Portobello Marine Fish Hatchery and Biological 

 Station." 



It is therefore only necessary here to state the facts and summarise 

 the history of the attempts as briefly as possible. Herring and other 

 soft-scaled fishes cannot be transported alive at any stage of their 

 existence. Handling is generally fatal to them. Therefore the only 

 plan left open is to convey the ova. The eggs are adhesive, and under 

 normal conditions are deposited on stones, gravel and other objects 

 at the bottom of the sea in comparatively shallow water. The eggs 

 hatch in about i6 days, the time being shortened or lengthened 

 according to the temperature of the water;. cooling causing retarda- 

 tion. The problem then was in the first place to retard development 

 for a period of at least 50 days. If this difficulty can be satisfactorily 

 overcome, there are several others which have to be met. 



The first attempt was made in March, 1886, and was an ill- 

 considered experiment, for no provision whatever existed for dealing 



