Prospects Of Tuna Industry Reviewed

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29745, 12 February 1962, Page 9

Prospects Of Tuna Industry Reviewed

(New Zealand Frees Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 11. To assist commercial fishermen and big-game enthusiasts interested in tuna fishing, officers of the Marine Department had prepared a report reviewing the prospects of a tuna fishing industry in New Zealand, said the Minister of Marine (Mr Gerard)

The report was being circulated to principals in the industry, and plans were well advanced to release two further reports in the near future, one to deal with polefishing for tuna in Australian waters and the other to cover long-line fishing for tuna, said Mr Gerard. Species of tuna found in New Zealand waters have been listed. “From the water temperatures, characteristics of these species in other parts of the world and also their occurrence adjacent to areas of upwelling and in the vicinity of boundaries of different water masses, the likely distribution of the various species is illustrated.” said Mr Gerard, Regions where conditions appeared more suitable for tuna species than elsewhere were:—

(1) On the east coast between Banks Peninsula and East Cape, according to annual and seasonal variations, and extending east towards the Chatham Islands.

(2) Along the Southland coast, in the region of Foveaux Strait or south of Stewart Island, where the wanner Southland current meets the sub-Antarctic water mass.

(3) In the region north of Cape Egmont where warm currents stemming from different water masses meet.

(4) East Cape areas of upwellln<. These were likely to be productive Ashing areas, but their seasonal position should be located as accurately as possible by means of temperature and chlorinity data during periods of fishing, he said. Exploratory fishing was most useful as a preliminary to any exploitation. Oceanographic observations concerning temperatures and currents should be made at all times.

While only fishing on surface schools, additional aids might help to increase the catch. Water sprays might draw the tuna to the vessel by exciting the small food fish In the area in such a way as to attract the tuna, Mr Gerard said.