Fishmeal Industry Plan

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31221, 19 November 1966, Page 3

Fishmeal Industry Plan

(N.Z. Press Association) KAIKOHE, Nov. 18.

Plans for a £400,000 fishmeal plant, which could be operating in the Bay of Islands before the end of next year, have been put before the Government.

The plant would be capable of processing 2000 tons of fish for meal and oil a day,

but initial plans are for half this quantity. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) told an election meeting at Kaikohe today that the plan formed part of a proposal by a private firm for the establishment of a fishmeal industry. “The proposal is for three other plants to be progressively established over a period of six years at three other centres—tentatively suggested at Gisborne, Nelson and the west coast of the South Island,” he said. “Each of the factories will

be highly mechanised and will be built in areas where they will not be a threat to hygiene or scenic beauty.” World fishmeal prices had risen 14 pet* cent this year. Mr Holyoake said he expected a fishmeal industry in New Zealand would earn considerable overseas funds. “Estimates from the most reliable sources in New Zealand and studies of the world fish population during the last five years show there is an abundance of fish in New Zealand waters of the types needed for a fishmeal industry.”