Trout For N. Guinea

“Operation Flying Fish”

ANEW experiment in air transportation was made at the end of Novem ber by Qantas Empire Airways, who flew 20,000 live trout to New Guinea. The aircraft, chartered by Mr, E. J. Hallstrom, took the fish to his Experimental Station at Nondugl, in the Highlands of New Guinea.

In order to keep the fish alive during the flight Qantas equipped a DC3 air freighter with special equipment driven by electric motors. A series of four special pumps provided continuous aeration of water, both in the air and on the ground.

The fish were carried in 18 five-gallon tanks, to which the air was supplied by special nylon hoses, each pump supplying nine cans with approximately four cubic feet of air per hour. Special diffusers in each can broke up the air supply to emit a fine stream of bubbles.

As an added precaution special air cy linders were carried to allow instant re placement of air should a pump failure occur. A control panel was installed in the aircraft to show warning lights in case of electric supply failure.

The fish arrived at Mascot, Sydney, from the Central Acclimatisation Society Hatcheries at Oberon at 9 p.m., and the aircraft departed at 9.30 p.m. on a non stop flight to Townsville. A supply of ice was available at Townsville for use should the water rise above the danger point of 70 degrees.

Well-known philanthropist E. J. Hall strom, who has already successfully de monstrated the transport of sheep by air, hopes that in a few years’ time the trout will add tourist value to the Highlands of New Guinea. Mr. Hallstrom’s son and a fisheries expert were in constant at tendance on the consignment. The fish were liberated in the mountain streams at Nondugl less than 24 hours after leaving Sydney.