SURPLUS OF FISH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 234, 2 October 1937, Page 10

SURPLUS OF FISH.

CONGESTED STORES. POSITION IN AUCKLAND. EXPORT TRADE ABNORMAL. Temporary relief to the congested condition of the cool storage accommodation for fish in Auckland was given by the export of a shipment of fish to Sydney by tlie Awatea, which sailed yesterday, but further shipments will be necessary to enable the fishing fleets at Auckland and near ports to operate without restriction. It was learned to-day that the catches of fish would continue to be limited meanwhile.

The Auckland fishing fleet ha.s been working under restricted catches since the accumulation of tisli began in August, and in recent weeks the earnings of the fishermen in some instances have been reduced by nearly ">0 per cent. Normally the late winter and spring is the flush period of the year, and curtailment of exports at this time therefore has more serious consequences than at other seasons. The supply usually begins to diminish during November, and any loss experienced now is unlikely to be recouped later, unless, of course, there was some increase in fisli prices, but this is not desired by the industry as it would probably reduce consumption.

In the past the Sydney market has had a regulating effect on the Auckland fish industry, and at the height of the season as much as r>o per cent of the catch has been exported. The local market is, however, more profitable than the export trade, and only after the local demand is satisfied does the question of shipment arise. To provide for the requirements of the city and provincial towns at all times, of the year the fishing fleets have developed a capacity in excess of the demand in the months of plentiful supply, and this has been a cause of the recent accumulation of stocks.

llie acuteness of the position is stated to have stimulated the special export committee in its efforts to find a solution, and has influenced the committee to send a goodwill delegation bv file Awatea to meet wholesalers of fLh in Sydney and Melbourne.