OYSTERMAN CRITICAL

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30364, 13 February 1964, Page 11

OYSTERMAN CRITICAL

Govt Report On Beds (N.Z. Press Association) INVERCARGILL, Feb. 12. The Government announcement that part of the Foveaux Strait oyster . beds would be closed this season has prompted one merchant to ask: is the Government denying the correctness of the oyster survey report?

The Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) said the closure would show whether it was a practicable way to accelerate the recovery of deteriorated areas. But the merchant said: “We’ve never yet had 17,000 sacks from the beds.

“If the potential of the beds is that great, as the Marine Department’s report said, there can’t be any deterioration.

“If the report is right, then why close part of the beds?’’ A leading member of the industry admitted that the stated 170,000 sacks potential could not be reached with the equipment being used. “Then why not install better gear?” he was asked. “Because the oysters are not there,” was the reply. He was sure that this season’s yield would not be anything like the maximum harvest.

An oysterman of many years’ standing said: “The Government has made a big enough mess now. It is time it left things alone?’

The new rule that shell must be dumped back into the sea, drew the comment that if that must be done it must be paid for, “and the consumer will be the <?ne to pay in the end.’*