THE FISHING INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 13 January 1926, Page 11

THE FISHING INDUSTRY.

AN IMPROVING POSITION.

£500,000 PRODUCED LAST YEAR.

AUCKLAND'S LARGE SHARE

Evidence of the growth of the fishing industry in New Zealand is contained in the latest available figures as to the quantities of fish landed at the various ports. Unfortunately, no exact returns are marie in respect to fish supplies, and the only means of making comparisons is the approximations compiled by the Statistics Office. The Fisheries Act, 1008. authorises the Gov-ernor-General to call for returns from owners of boats and from fish-curora in such form as may be thought fit, but although this statutory provision was made nearly eighteen years ago, advantage has no*-, yet been taken of it to enable information to be collected as to the quantity of fish caught aiinur ally. The Chief Inspector of Fisheries estimates that, excluding Wellington, 286,----289cwt. . and 4074 sacks of fish were brought in from the fishing grounds during the twelyje months ended 31st March, 1025, representing a wholesale value of £330,164. While some computation has been made for every other fishing; port of any consequence in the Dominion, it was found impossible last year to arrive at an estimate for Wellington. The fishermen themselves do not keep reliable records, 'and it was found difficult to maKe even an approximation for the port. The Wellington' figures for the previous year were made out. however, and if these are taken (42,8.-.oewt.. valued at £74,440) the total production may be set down at approxi-. mately 330,000cwt., of a value of about £410,000. In addition, the produce of the oyster fisheries was valued at £23,----268, and of the whale fisheries at £15,000. The estimate for the previous year was approximately 305,000cwt. of fish, of a wholesale value of about £300.000. while the produce of the oyster fisheries was valued at £20.123. and of the whale fisheries at £11.22 G. The estimated total value for 1924-25 was, therefore, £445,268, as compared with £426.849 for the previous year. If the Wellington figures for 1925 were available, they would probably show" an iil'crease upon the previous year, for .most of the other .provincial 'fishing poFts have improved upon the 1924 returns. The total value of the fish for the Dominion may. therefore, be stated at about £500.000 for the last year, for which estimates were made. Some Comparisons. ' ."■""■ The following comparisons of values for the larger ports are of interest:— Port. 1023-24. 1924-25. Auckland. including , *'....»■ Thames, Coromandel. and Manukau i11f),923 £128,151 Wellington ..' 74.440 — Otago ::..v... 43.900 .43.500 Napier •.-'. ......:...„. - 28,077 -.'7:060 Bluff 30.401 20.439 Timani ... c.MO 14.753 Stewart 151 and....... 10.CH5 13.027 Fit ton ~;..:. 3..-.O0" ' 11.280 Russell 7 r ouO .10,620 It is estimated that the number of persons employed in the industry is 2921, as against 2805 for "1923-24.