“Season, Not Japanese, Caused Poor Fishing”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29638, 7 October 1961, Page 16

“Season, Not Japanese, Caused Poor Fishing”

(New Zoalana Frees Asaocialion)

WELLINGTON, Oct 6. The Minister of Marine (Mr Gerard) has again denied that poor fishing this season is directly attributable to Japanese activities off the New Zealand Coast.

“I can only reiterate that my advisers are of the opinion that the bad season is more at fault than Japanese activities,” he said today. “Mr A. Fishburn, a commercial fisherman of Dryden Bay. Queen Charlotte Sound, has queried certain information I passed on to the press as the result of statements he had made on Japanese fishing activities in the Cook Strait area,” said Mr Gerard. “When Mr Fishburn’s statements were conveyed to me I requested an urgent full investigation of the alleged Japanese activities. On personal interview Mr Fishburn could only verify one actual sighting of what could be a Japanese fishing boat and he was unable to say whether this boat was engaged in trawling. “Numerous other inquiries have been made to gather evidence of Japanese activities in and around Cook Strait, but no definite information is available.

“I would say that there is no doubt in my mind that Japanese fishing is taking place around our coasts, although I am sure it is well beyond territorial waters, so the Japanese are not breaking any international law. "The specific questions Mr Fishburn now asks have been answered before.

‘‘Negotiations are taking place at international level for an agreement on the extension of territorial limits and it is hoped that these negotiations will be successful.

“For various reasons undue publicity and ill-informed comment at this stage could prejudice the international negotiations that are taking place.

‘The other two points raised by Mr Fishburn concern his conviction that the poor fishing this season is directly attributable to Japanese activities. “I can only reiterate.” said Mr Gerard, “that my advisers are of the opinion that the bad season is more at fault than Japanese activities “I would remind Mr Fishburn that immediately he made his original statement

on Japanese activities, a departmental officer was sent to interview him and obtain full information and facts and further concrete evidence that Mr Fishburn could produce to throw some light on the poor fishing. "Both the Marine Department and myself welcome any factual material than can be provided.”