43 
Tlie temptation to poaching lias become greatly augmented by the 
vast increase that has taken place in the number of small fish that now 
swarm in the Derwent between New Norfolk and Hobart Town, due 
to the protection afforded to them by the operation of “ The Salmon 
Act. And the prohibition of all fishing in this part of the river is not 
more necessary for the safety of the salmon than it is conducive to the 
real interest of the fishermen of the Derwent. 
That portion of the riverwhick lies between Bridgewater and Hobart 
Town is the natural nursery in which various kinds of fish, usually 
inhabiting the deeper water below, deposit their spawn, and from which 
their numbers are recruited from year to year. 
Tho meshes of the nets used by the fishermen are so minute that the 
fish of tho very smallest size arc captured and destroyed, and are thus 
effectually prevented from descending into the deeper waiter below the 
city, where they would speedily attain a far greater size and value. 
The breeding establishment "at the Plenty has from its first erection 
been an object of great interest and attraction, yearly increasing, not 
only to the public of Tasmania, but to visitors from all tho adjoining 
colonies. The Commissioners trust that at no distant period, they will 
bo able to calculate the time when the existing attractions may be in¬ 
creased by granting permission to use the rod and line. 
At the request of the Commissioners the Government instructed the 
Surveyor-General to cause a drawing and plan of the salmon ponds to 
be prepared ; and this work has boon admirably performed by some of 
the officers of the department, tho survey having been executed by Mr. 
Morrison, and the drawing by Mr. Piguenet. 
The former it is proposed to hang in somo public place for general 
inspection. Of the lat ter a considerable number of excellent lithographs 
have been executed under tho direction of the Surveyor-General, which 
will bo generally circulated, and will afford information respecting the 
plan and construction of the whole breeding establishment, which have 
long been sought for, not only by tho people of this and the adjoining 
colonics, but by many eminent pisciculturists in England, who have been 
watching with much interest the progress af our enterprise. 
ROBERT OFFICER, Chairman. 
STILLWELL AND KNIQIIT, PRINTERS, COLLINS STREET EAST, MELBOURXK. 
