VALUE OF FISHERIES.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 189, 11 August 1919, Page 9

VALUE OF FISHERIES.

rCTCRH SOURCE OF WEALTH

A country like New Zealand, with an extensive coast line, and waters teeming with fish, has before it great possibilities in the matter of development of a fisheries industry. That the Government hnvo for some years past devoted attention to fisheries is an evidence the matter has not lieen lost sight of. The acclimatisation of trout by the Auckland Society over thirty years ago is an evidence of what can be done in the matter of introducing new lisfi to these waters. The start was a very modest ono with a few hatcheries and ponds in tho Auckland Domain under the charge of the late -Ir. L'iifTe. From this lias developed the stinking of the streams and lakes in the North Island, and resulted in attracting tourists to Rotorua and Taupo, who go for the fishing alone. It is, however, in the sea fisheries that New Zealand has a big a_set for tlie future, if properly worked, and an export trade developed. 'Hie high prices ruling for meat must result in a big demand for fish, and while New Zealand does not possess herring, salmon or cod. still it has mullet and crayfish, both of which are suitable for canning for export. Efforts have also -been made by the Government to acclimatise the lobster and salmon. Over half a century ago canning mullet was started at Parua Bay, Whangarei, by an experienced man from Newfoundland, hut apparently he was ahead of tho time. Many years later the industry was again started in the Kaipara with Hn'tter success. As far back as the exhibition in the Crystal l'alace medals were awarded to a settler at Waiheke Island for fish he bad cured and sent to London.

It is only necessary to look to older established countries to note the value of fisheries. (Scotland, with 1,000 miles of coastline, produces -.50.000,0001-3. of herrings alone, for which there is ready sale. Canada has no less than 12,000 miles of coast line, and is maJcing great progre-ss with tlie development of the fisheries industry and trying to open new markets. year the export of fish from Canada totalled over £(1,000,000. Three years ago. in order to encourage the eating of more fish in Canada, the Fisheries Association inaugurated a day on which that article was to be on every table. The rcsnlt was that last year on fish day over 2.000.000 pounds were sold within the Dominion. Besides its extensive coastline Canada also possesses 220.000 square miles of fresh water lakes which also carry fish. The total value of fish eanght in Canadian waters during IOIS was over £1:S'.OOO.000. The United States, also with its big canning companies, has long a<ro developed its fisheries to an enormous extent.