HAURAKI GULF FISHING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 190, 13 August 1928, Page 3

HAURAKI GULF FISHING.

OBJECTION TO SEINE NETS. i OFFICIALS ATTEND CONFERENCE, j (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) THAMES, Saturday. The chief inspector of fisheries, Mr. A. E. Hefford, conferred with over 50 Thames fishermen concerning the requests for the ini|>osiiion of further restrictions on the operations of the Danish seine net boats. Messrs. Jensen, Reddish. Doddrell, Robinson. Wilson and other set net fishermen asserted that the presence of trawlers near the gulf grounds and seine net boats in the gulf had seriously depleted the supply of schnapper, with the result, that the use of the set net and long line method of fishing had become unprofitable. The case for the seine net fishers was stated by Messrs. M. and H. Havward They submitted that even the Marine Department otiicials admitted that it was not known whether the fish cam? into the Hauraki Gulf near the floor of the sea or near the surface of the water. It had not been proved that the comparatively small seine boat interfered with the breeding srround= of the schnapper. Great hardships would be inflicted on the seine net men if any further restrictions were imposed.

Mr. C. G. Godfree. secretary of the Marine Department, said he would not recommend any alteration in the existing regulations until he was convinced that it was necessary for the preservation of the fisheries. The representations of both sides would have earnest rind careful consideration.