FISHERIES COMMISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17094, 25 February 1919, Page 6

FISHERIES COMMISSION.

EVIDENCE AT AUCKLAND.

GROUNDS EN' THE GULF.

EFFECT OF TEAMING.

The commission appointed by the Government to inquire into matters connected with the supply and the price of fish in Auckland resumed its sittings at the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The commission consists of Mr. E. C. Cut-ten, S.M., chairman, Mr. J. H. Bradnev, representing the municipal fish department, and Mr. T. Long, for the Northern Fishermen' 6 Union.

Tlio commission held a preliminary sitting in Auckland on February 3, and arranged its itinerary. Counsels' opening addresses were heard on February 17, and the commission proceeded to Thames, where evidence of the local fishermen was taken. Heleneville was visited on Friday last, when further evidence was 'taken. The Fishermen's Union is represented by Mr. J. F. Dickon, San ford, Ltd., byMr. H. P. Richmond, and the Auckland City Council by Mr. J. Stanton. Mr. L. F. Ayaon. Chief Inspector of Fisheries, is watching the proceedings on behalf of the Marino Department. When the commission assembled yesterday, Mr. J. G. Haddow intimated that he was appearing on behalf of a number of local retailers of fish. These dealers had been greatly assisted by the City Council trawlers, and they looked with * apprehension on any suggested restrictions which would tend to reduce the catchee.

Mr. Dickson stated that some of tbe local witnesses were not available, and, at his request, tho commission adjourned until 2.15 p.m.

Commission to Visit Grounds.

The chairman announced bis intention of availing himself of the offer made by Sanford, Ltd., to place a trawler at the I disposal of the commission, so that members might witness experimental hauls both outside and inside the present trawling area. Arrangements were made for the members of the commission, with counsel and representative!? of the Fishermen's Union, to journey to the fishing grounds by the trawler Baroona to-mor-row. leaving Auckland at 6 a.m. The first witness called by the union was William K. Howitt, Deputy-Mayor of Devonport, who said he was interested in the trawling in.lnstrv in Aberdeen about thirty years ago. The boats frequently worked inside the three-mile limit, with tho result that the grounds were depleted of fish to a large extent. A strict prohibition was placed on operations inside that limit, and in five years the catches coming to the markets increased by 25 per cent. With the coming of the larger trawlers, which went farther afield, the catches increased. Whereas the yield from the grounds around Aberdeen was valued at £750,000 in 1890, the total Value had increased by 1915 to £1,000,000.

larger Trawlers Suggested. Dealing with the future of the trawling industry in New Zealand, witness said he thought that with larger boats trawling could be carried out much further afield, where he believed good grounds existed. Instead of reducing the present restricted area, he thought the trawlers should not, he allowed inside a line drawn from Capo Colviile to Rodney Point. At the time he was engaged in'fishing in Scotland, fish caught by line always brought about 25 per cent, more than fieh caught by the trawlers.

To Mr. Richmond : He oould not say whether tho beat schnapper were caught in deep or shallow water. Ho did not know much about the fishing industry in New Zealand. He had not studied fishing conditions or grounds on the East Coast, but he believed there were 30,000 square miles of fishing grounds off the coast, if the companies had suitable vessels to work them.. Breeding Grounds Disturbed.

William Joaaa, fisherman, eaid he had been engaged in the fishing industry for the last 25 years. He was the president tit the Northern Fishermen's Union. There were about 36 members of the union and 20 boats working. Prior to 1914 the boats numbered about 150. He was engaged on the trailer Minnie Casey for about nrao months, and had since worked on two other trawlers belonging to Sanford, Ltd. While on the Countess, about September, 1916, the best trawl for any one trip was about 1500 baskets. He spoke of a trip on the City Council trawler Simpion, when a haul of 600 baskets was made in a day and night near Cape Colville. Ho considered these were better fish than were being caught further in, but many of them went bad, owing to there being insufficient ice. When trawling near the present line they (rot a much larger percentage of smaller fish in the nets, showing that the trawler was encroaching on the breeding grounds. He was of opinion that the restricted area should be inside a line drawn from the Watchman Light to Flat Rock, and thence to Rodney Point. He thought that the fish spawned inside that line were liable to be disturbed and the young fish destroyed by the ground ropes and boards of the trawlers. When he first commenced trawling, he usually found that the trawls brought up Quantities of "horse" mussels, which the fish fed on, but in recent years the bulk of the mussels brought up were dead. Prior to the use of trawlers the dealers put a limit on their purchases in the " school fish " period. He did"not think that even with the 150 boats in use some years ago the fishermen would be able to supply the local demand, as the supply had been bo depleted. The average catch was now about 50 bundles of fish ncr boat. At this stage the commission adjourned until 10.30 a.m. to-day.