FISH IN THE GULF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 286, 2 December 1932, Page 6

FISH IN THE GULF.

It passes my comprehension why Ruby 15. Watson and other critics will persist in meddling with things they know nothing about. Auckland has for some time past been getting the ma jority of its fish supply fro' ll the seine-net boats, and, as to high prices, why blame the fishermen? They are paid one penny to a penny-halfpenny per pound for 6napper, and a penny-halfpenny to twopencehalfpenny for flounder. So as far as the fishermen are concerned cheap fish is no delusion. A few years ago Mrs. Watson gave several theories and opinions on the extinction of fish in the gulf, through the depredations of the seine boats, but these have all been a washout so far, as fish have been more plentiful this year than ever. I do not need to quote professors and authorities from the other end of the world; I write from actual experience, and I can definitely say that J' any more restrictions are put on these scinenetters the majority of them will be forced on to relief work, and the price of fish wl " be doubled. If Mrs. Watson would read the "Star" instead of writing nonsense to it she would often see fish advertised at about onethird of the price it was before the advent the seine net. She says, "Let the yachtsmen and holiday-makers enjoy occasional fishing 111 the gulf," but as for these fishermen, who have wives and children to keep, she would apparently chase them out or starve them them out. E. MANSFIELD.