PRICE OF FISH

Press, Volume C, Issue 29685, 1 December 1961, Page 5

PRICE OF FISH

Explanation By Retailers “Fish is sold by public auction. The number of shops has increased in the last 10 years but the number of fishing boats has not because of the restriction in licensing these boats,” said Mr H. Yates, president of the Christchurch Fish Retailers’ Association, in a statement yesterday on toe shortage of fish and the reason for high prices. “Four years ago all Timaru fish waS'Sold in Christchurch. Now only about 25 per cent, of the catch there arrives in Christchurch.. A company has been formed in Timaru to process fish for export,” said Mr Yates. “Canterbury is toe only place in toe world where fish catches are controlled by restrictive licensing. This gives restrictive catching, and the catch is sold by public auction which has a minimum price, with export parity price as the starting price so that in any glut fishermen receive export parity price and in any shortage there is no ceiling. “Export parity prices have never been higher and the tendency is for them to rise. As an example fish used in fried fish shops has risen 75 per cent, in toe test two years,” said Mr Yates.