Oystermen Say Bigger Catch Would Ruin Beds

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30044, 31 January 1963, Page 12

Oystermen Say Bigger Catch Would Ruin Beds

(New Zealand Press Association)

INVERCARGILL, January 30.

Oyster merchants, oyster boat skippers and union representatives united today in criticism of the preliminary report on the Foveaux Strait survey, the basis of decisions to increase the oyster fleet and catch.

Merchants, whose views were outlined last week when the greater yield estimated in the report became known, were supported by skippers in their doubts about the possibility of a yield of 170,000 to 180,000 sacks a season.

The meeting held at Bluff by the Marine Department to present the results of the survey so far, but not to discuss policy changes, was characterised by much conflicting opinion between researchers and men of the industry. It ended after more than three hours of discussions and explanations with a resolution which the chairman (Mr K. R. Allen), the department’s director of research, said he would submit to the Minister of Marine (Mr Gerard).

The meeting resolved that it did not approve of the report “as it is considered that

some parts are not truly based, that it contains statements not wholly correct and that, consequently, recommendations and conclusions are erroneous and action taken has been premature.”

Mr Allen said the department would be glad of the meeting’s views, based on experience, and would welcome other factual information.

He said he was unable to indicate whether the annual meeting of merchants and departmental officers would be held before the season, which will open on February 15. This meeting would discuss such matters as payments for the survey to which the merchants are understood to have contributed £15,000.

It was reaffirmed by the oystermen and merchants that extra boats and a greater catch would ruin the beds. Conservation was the theme song of the industry, it was said, and **we feel that in the circumstances we have some right to have our views recorded.”