56 
also stated, and even that they have become scarcer by 
over-fishing with hook and line. 
(8) What is the effect of great floods of fresh water on the 
fish supply in the river. 
(9) Are quantities of sharks and other ‘“ vermin” which 
feed on fish removed from the river by netting. 
(10) Can fish, after being caught in the net, be set free into 
the river and survive ? 
These are the most important points which have been raised, 
and the following methods of procedure were adopted for their 
investigation. Nettings were to be carried out monthly, more 
particularly at certain “spruits ’—7.e., channels or back- 
waters of the river in the manner usually adopted by the 
netters. A stop net is set across the opening of the spruit 
into the main stream at high water (springtide), and at low 
water another net is brought from the head of the spruit down 
towards the first. This method is shown in fig. 1, which is 
reproduced from a photograph of the first netting. The corks 
of the stop net are seen in the foreground, and the second net 
is being dragged down towards it from the head of the 
spruit, seen in the distance. This would seem so be a 
very effective method of removing all fish in the spruit, though 
in the actual nettings many fish were able to escape both 
nets for one reason or another. The fish are then dragged 
up on to the bank of the river and in this first experimental 
netting were laid out on the bank and photographed so that 
incontestable proof may be put on record as to the nature 
of the catch. The catch is shown in fig. 2. The fish were 
then counted, their size taken, a few typical specimens being 
opened and the condition of the reproduction organs and 
contents of the stomach noted. Some nettings are carried out 
by simply dragging the net towards the end of the spruit and 
then landing the fish as shown in fig. 3, p. 66. 
Another method of investigation was adopted in addition 
to those mentioned. A series of townettings were carried 
out in the river by means of which any fish eggs which might 
be in the water would be secured. The method, as will be 
seen from the result, proved very useful. 
As this dispute has now been going on for many years and no 
definite information procured as to the facts of the case, and 
as these experimental nettings, undertaken at some expense 
to the Administration, have been carried out with some care, 
it is desirable to put the facts ascertained on record in a per- 
manent form available for present and future reference. 
The supervision of the netting operations has been ably 
carried out by Mr. F. W. Fitzsimons, F.Z.S., Director of the 
Port Elizabeth Museum, often under trying circumstances. 
The measurement of fish, examination of stomach contents, 
etc., preserving of specimens, collecting of townettings and 
