Dominion Sea Fisheries

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22673, 30 March 1939, Page 10

Dominion Sea Fisheries

In a statement in Dunedin, the Chief Inspector of Fisheries, Mr A. E. Heflord, drew attention again to the depletion of fish stocks in New Zealand waters, especially of flat fish, because they are “ most accessible.” It is useful and necessary, no doubt, as Mr Hefford does, to warn netting parties against breaches of the regulations, which must make scarce fish scarcer; but it is regrettable that he should have to speak, in the main, so uncertainly. Though depletion is generally acknowledged, there is little or no evidence of its extent and of its causes, because it is only during the last two years that returns have been secured of “ all fish caught commercially.” Mr Hefford rightly deplores the failure to establish much sooner a practice which “ would have enabled “ us to gain some very valuable information.” But if that is to be deplored, it must surely be as deplorable an error now to rely upon the returns of the commercial fishermen. It is their business to catch fish, not to make fishery surveys and fishery researches; and although their trade may assist science, it is no substitute. The Prime Minister, in Auckland, a day or two ago, spoke enthusiastically of the direction rf scientific, research to the advantage of the community. It would be hard to point to any Dominion industry which has received less scientific attention than that of the sea fisheries, and so much less than its due; and Mr Savage might earn a handsome credit by doing something now to make up for the neglect. A committee presided over by Mr J. Thorn, M.P., made an investigation in 1937 and reported about a year ago; but the report, though quite valuable, was limited in scope and by the equipment of the investigators. It disclosed much the, organisation and

methods of the industry, very little about the fisheries: and it is here, in the resources of the industry, that the most fundamental need for research exists.