‘Challenge’ In Fish Exports

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31131, 6 August 1966, Page 1

‘Challenge’ In Fish Exports

Although there is a very large market for fish in Australia, it is not true that New Zealand has access to an unlimited market there, according to the general manager of the Fishing Industry Board (Mr J. S. Campbell), in a report prepared on investigations he made for the board’s export development committee.

Referring to “many difficult problems” in the Australian market, Mr Campbell says that it presents a challenge to all sections of the New Zealand fishing industry, the board, and the Government. Commercial problems of

marketing can be overcome by capable marketing, he says, but fundamental problems are New Zealand’s ability to supply the right types of fish, and stocks to stand accelerated exploitation.

New Zealand, he says, is competing with low-labour-cost nations which subsidise production and exports. New Zealand is exporting about 60,000 cwt prepared weight of fish to Australia, or about 25 per cent of wet fish landings, the report continues. In 1956, New Zealand exported one-third of landings to Australia, indicating that more fish is being used in New Zealand.

To get a significant increase in exports, wet fish landings need to rise by onethird. Those who say the industry needs only to catch

the fish overlook the need to develop processing facilities to match the increase.

In view of the competition faced in New Zealand and Australia by fish, costs must be reduced, Mr Campbell continues. Among the factors he cites that could help are the more complete use of boats, the use of bigger boats, better use of all fish species, and more efficient processing. While other cost reductions can be made with Government help, a concerted effort is needed by fishermen, boat owners, processors, and the Government Some effort Is needed to overcome the problems of sea transport to Australia, says Mr Campbell. The Union Steam Ship Company cannot be expected to put on more refrigerated ships to meet a seasonal and intermittent trade.

If sailings are more frequent from good exporting ports to good markets, more trade will be generated. If refrigerated space cannot be found, the company might provide reefer boxes to carry fish to Australia and other goods back to New Zealand. Air transport will find a useful place, but its expansion depends on economics and long-term suitability. New quality standards will help to see that export fish is up to the highest possible standards, but transport and handling must improve to prevent damage to a good product. The board, says Mr Campbell, is not a marketing authority. Recommendations to the industry or the Government must come from the export development committee or the board itself.