OYSTER BED SURVEY

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30045, 1 February 1963, Page 10

OYSTER BED SURVEY

Findings Will Guide Policy

(N.Z. Press Association) INVERCARGILL, Jan. 31.

At least one additional oyster vessel, probably operating from Stewart Island, will work the Foveaux Strait beds during the coming season. The annual oyster catch will gradually be increased to 170.000 sacks as suitable applications for additional licences are granted. . The Minister of Marine (Mr Gerard) said in a telephone interview from Wellington today that the criticism of the findings of the department’s biological team by oyster interests would be noted. Southland merchants, oyster boat skippers and union representatives made the criticism yesterday. “But future oyster policy will be guided by this survey, which has been an intensive, three-year effort,” said Mr Gerard.

Inquiries for oyster licences had been received from nine individuals and organisations as for north as Wellington, he said. Conditions for the granting of new licences had been fixed. The

main ones concerned quota and distribution, with the object of making more oysters available in sacks, he said.

Mr Gerard said his department did not expect it would receive many firm applications. “A couple this year will be as many as we could expect," he said. The problems were shortage of trained crew and the cost of outfitting an oyster vessel, estimated at about £25,000.