SOUTH PACIFIC FISHERIES

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26745, 31 May 1952, Page 5

SOUTH PACIFIC FISHERIES

POTENTIAL YIELDS DISCUSSED

CONFERENCE URGES NEW FISHING METHODS

Selected modern methods of fishing that have proved successful in other parts of the world will be introduced to island territories of the South Pacific if the recommendations of the fisheries conference at the headquarters of the South Pacific Commission at Noumea, New Caledonia, are adopted. An expert will also be engaged by the commission to study fisheries problems of the region, with a view to stimulating production of fish as a main source of food for peoples in the Pacific islands. Specialists representing the sixmember Governments of the commission—Australia. France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States—attended the conference. New Zealand was represented by Mr C. G. R. Mackay, a former Secretary of the Department of Island Territories. Dr. E. M. Ojala. also a New Zealander, was elected chairman of the conference.

“The population of the world is increasing by 25.000,000 persons a year,” said the secretary-general (Sir Brian Freeston) in his opening address to the conference. “The total yield of foodstuffs is failing to keep pace, with the result that, according to a recent estimate, two-thirds of the world’s present population—l,soo,ooo,ooo persons—are already in a permanent state of undernourishment. Untapped Wealth

“This world problem is not without its reflections in the South Pacific area,” continued Sir Brian Freeston. “Not only on dozens of coral atolls, but even on some of the larger islands, it is indisputable that the rapidly growing population will be in grave danger of hunger within one of two generations, unless means can be found for increasing the supply of food. The resources of the land are limited, both in area and in fertility; there remains the sea.” The potential food wealth of the millions of square miles of South Pacific ocean still remained virtually untapped, Sir Brian Freeston said. It was for the conference —the first of its kind ever held in the South Pacific — to indicate how, by the concerted and united efforts of the six Great Powers which shared the responsibility for the area, the first tentative steps might be taken towards utilising the unrealised food potential of the seas. The establishment, where necessary, of territorial fishing services to encourage development of the industry, was recommended by the confeernce, and the commission was asked to explore the possibility, of providing a special course of lectures on the administration of fisheries for officers recruited within the region. The conference also recommended that Governments should promote the development of community fishing enterprises, encourage the use of modern fishing techniques, and aid fishermen to buy the necessary powered craft and modern equipment.