JAPANESE SHIP ON EAST COAST

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29246, 2 July 1960, Page 10

JAPANESE SHIP ON EAST COAST

Trawler Seen By Gisborne Vessel (New Zealand Press Association> / GISBORNE. June 30. A Japanese trawler about 200 ft long was operating on the East Coast between Tolaga and Tokomaru bays yesterday. The Japanese vessel, with the name Taiyg Maru painted on its hull, was sighted at daybreak yesterday by the Gisborne trawler, Richard and John, and kept under observation through the morning. It was trawling about nine' miles off shore in 50 fathoms and, although beyond the three-mife limit, was operating in ' waters where Gisborne, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland trawlers, obtain some of their best catches.

Richard and Johr ite to within 50 or 60 yards of the Taiyg Maru and watched Japanese trawling technique.' The skipper of the Richard and John (Mr J. Montaperto) said that he arid his crew were concerned to see the Japanese trawler but were impressed with what they ; observed. ■ ;

“They were certtainly well outside the three-mile limit, but we consider that even if they had a legal right to be there, they were encroaching on our fishing grounds,’' Mr Montaperto added. The crew of the Richard and John counted 10 deck hands and four men at the winch. “They can put us'to shame in the handling of gear with a trawler of that size,” said Mr Montaperto, He compared the technique of the Japanese with the methods used by the smaller New Zealand trawlers “We were certainly surprised to see them there,” Mr Montaperto added, “and we gained the impression from where they were trawling that they had been there before, possibly at a time when none of our boats were in the vicinity.” At about 12.30 p.m'. yesterday, the Taiyg Maru left the area and sailed north.