Operation Of N.Z. Fishing Trawlers Defended

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30767, 3 June 1965, Page 14

Operation Of N.Z. Fishing Trawlers Defended

New Zealand’s trawlers were not small, poorlyequipped boats, nor did they operate on quotas, said Mr J. P. Davies, secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen, yesterday. He was commenting on a letter to the editor of “The Press” by “Free For All,” who asks whether the prohibition of foreign trawling on the New Zealand coast is justified. “The high catches credited to these trawlers are not dumped, but go to underfed people—a contrast to New Zealand’s fishing practice with small, poorly-equipped boats operating under strict control by private interests," says the correspondent.

"Catches are limited to a few cases of fish for each boat. Any heavy catch beyond this quota is dumped at sea. This limitation of supply enables fish to retail at 4s to 5s per lb. It has been suggested we go in for large boats and modern equipment, but large catches would be dumped. “Most fishermen are financially committed to the supply controls for the supply of boats, gear, stores, petrol, fish cases, and cold storage at home ports. Fish are here for the catching and are used by underfed people in distant lands, and not wasted by dumping locally," he says. Mr Davies’s Comment Mr Davies said that fishing trawlers were not small, poorly-equipped boats. Many had every modern technical device to assist in catching fish. “A new 47ft trawler costs between £16,000 to £20,000. As the size increases, so does the cost. The owner is entitled to control an investment of this or greater magnitude.” Catches were not limited or on quota, he said. “In past years, on one or two occasions a limitation has been placed on one variety for a few days when there was already so much of that variety already caught that the available shed hands could not process it, even working long overtime,” said Mr Davies. “Catches are not dumped at sea, and increasing use is being made of fish offal for industrial uses. “Before this correspondent presumes to deal with a subject of this complexity and makes such sweeping and incorrect statements, he should study the subject in detail and sign his name to his letter,” said Mr Davies.