Trawler Engineer Helps In N.Z. Marine Research

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27688, 18 June 1955, Page 2

Trawler Engineer Helps In N.Z. Marine Research

"The Press' - Special Service

WELLINGTON, June 17. “A major contribution to scientific knowledge of the inhabitants of Cook Strait’s marine ravine has been made by a Wellington trawler fisherman,” said (Professor L. R. Richardson) professor of zoology at Victoria University College. “Interested as we are in big squids, whales, and other large marine creatures, the main work of the department is with the smaller deep-water fish of the strait. “In this work we are greatly aided by our most important contributor, the chief engineer of the trawler Thomas Currell, Mr F. Abernethy. A Shetland Islander who has spent most of his life at sea, Mr Abernethy is a born marine scientist, with a rare gift for spotting the odd and unusual. “This gift has enabled Mr Abernethy to discover more than 60 new or extremely rare types of marine creatures in Cook Strait,” said Professor Richardson. “Fish which he picks as being unusual and saves from the trawl of thousands to bring to us for investigation nearly always turn out to be something special. Several have been named after him. ‘•The departments own devoted team of research fishermen—post-graduate j

students and junior lecturers—cannot spend the time in Cook Strait they would wish. Most of their research expeditions into the deep water canyon off Palliser Bay are made in university vacations. They are further limited by the need for calm weather and the availability of a small fishing trawler. “A further factor is finance,” said Professor Richardson. “Of £l5O given towards deep-water research by the University Research Grants Committee, £BO has so far been spent on trawls, trawl wire—soo fathoms of it —and launch hire. “Much more research is needed into this promising deep water at Wellington’s back door. A commercial possibility is the deep-water six-inch prawn, found by the department in 600 ft of water some months ago. Recent development of the Australian prawn fishing industry has revealed the presence of 20 different types of prawn in Australian waters. “With the departments opportunities for deep-water research limited by other commitments, we are more than grateful for the presence of a skilled observer such as Mr Abernethy in Cook Strait for five days of the week,” said Professor Richardson.