LOCAL OYSTER BEDS?

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21826, 4 July 1936, Page 16

LOCAL OYSTER BEDS?

GOOD " SPECIMENS FOUND OFF AKAROA requests for thorough INVESTIGATION The belief that there exist off Banks Peninsula, and possibly extending south practically to Timaru, beds of oysters which could be used for the development of a profitable industry, is held by several fishermen at present engaged in trawling in that region. One of these men. has secured a sample of these oysters, which have been submitted to the Canterbury Museum for identification. ~ Speaking on the matter recently a fisherman who has had considerable experience in oyster trawling said that beds of oysters of this type extended from the Akaroa Heads to Timaru. They could be dredged, he said, in about 40 fathoms of water, and were very similar in appearance to the Stewart Island oyster and plentiful in supply. Mr A. E. Hefford, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, visited Akaroa a few months ago to investigate the possibility of developing these oyster beds. Because of bad weather he was unable to go out to get samples, but he informed the fishermen that if beds of oysters existed they would need a good deal of development, as the shell on top of the beds would have to be removed. He said also at that time that his department did not have enough funds to spare to allow a real investigation to be made. Akaroa fishermen have reported from time to time that there are plentiful supplies of oysters off Banks Peninsula between Akaroa and Timaru. This area is being continuously trawled for flounders and b-ill, and oysters persist in coming up in the trawls. It is stated that a steel trawl, especially made for the purpose, is required for investigaing the possibilities of the beds. Repeated requests have been made for a thorough investigation.