N.Z. Fails In Fish Markets Overseas

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30103, 10 April 1963, Page 17

N.Z. Fails In Fish Markets Overseas

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 9

Japanese processed snapper, labelled “Caught in New Zealand Waters” and being sold in New York was but one example of how New Zealand was failing to take advantage of what could become one of her biggest export industries, the managing director of Jurie Fisheries, Wellington (Mr J. R. Jurie) said in Wellington today Mr Jurie had just returned from a tour to determine the possibilities of marketing local fish in other countries “We have a lot to learn about processing, however” he said. “And what I did see in Melbourne made me ashamed to be a New Zealander

‘While Australian fish was fetching as much as 7s 6d a lb. New Zealand fillets of tarakihi at Is 8d a lb could not find any buyers mong the 1000 dealers at the Melbourne Fish Market. “Nobody wanted it because it was poorly packed and it had been kept too long in the freezer, being burned and rusty "American squid was even selling for Is 8d a lb there,” said Mr Jurie. “New Zealand fishermen throw squid back over the side. Mr June said New Zealand had wonderful opportunities of doing business with Europe, provided her quality and packaging could compete against Sweden, Holland, and South African products. New Zealand quality was superior to anything offered in mid-Europe but the packaging was inferior. The European method of packaging was to use boneless fish compressed into a

square kilo which could be divided into several pieces like sliced bread, he said. There was an excellent market for cheaper lines such as red cod and whiting provided it was packed well and looked after.

The Japanese were getting yellowfin, albacore and bluefin in New Zealand wafers and selling it on the world market.

New Zealand should be able to do the same, he said.