MORE OYSTER LICENCES

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30054, 12 February 1963, Page 8

MORE OYSTER LICENCES

Effecting New Policy (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 11. Announcing the conditions under which the quota system would be applied to the Foveaux Strait oyster fishery in the coming season, the Minister of Marine (Mr Gerard) said today that several additional licences had been granted in accordance with the recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee which investigated the fishing industry. These will increase the number of boats beyond the 12 which dredged the strait last year. Extra licences would ultimately produce a substantial increase in the quantity of oysters taken, said Mr Gerard. The purpose of the quota system, however, was designed to ensure that the oyster beds were not so overfished that future productivity was reduced, he said. There was no certainty that in any particular season the quotas would be reached. To effect the recommendation of the committee that one-third of the catch be offered as sacked oysters to other than oyster factories, each licence will carry a condition requiring this. Each oyster vessel owner will be required to furnish a weekly return of all sacks taken and their distribution. By this means, the Government hoped that a much better distribution of all oysters would result, said Mr Gerard. West Indies and Africa.