TROUT EXPORT INDUSTRY

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31412, 4 July 1967, Page 1

TROUT EXPORT INDUSTRY

Govt Studies Farming Of Rainbow

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 3.

The possibility of establishing a multi-million-pound trout export industry, based on commercial rainbow trout farms in suitable areas of New Zealand, is still under consideration by the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott).

Mr Scott told the Press Association tonight that there were many problems associated with starting such an industry which were yet to be settled.

However, he was enthusiastic about the prospects of trout farming.

The Minister said it would only require an amendment to the regulations to get the scheme under way.

Recently, the National member of Parliament for Awarua, Mr G. G. Grieve, outlined a scheme for a controlled commercial trout farm as a tourist attraction and export industry. It is believed there is a demand for trout in several

countries, particularly the United States, which at present receives most of its trout from Denmark. In an interview in Tailranga today, Mr P. S. Bromiley, a former manager of the Union Fish and Ice Company, Tauranga, and now an international fisheries consultant in Athens, said trout farming could be a valuable earner of overseas funds. “One of the American firms that I am retained by is ready to invest capital and management in trout farming here,” he said.

“A production of 4000 tons would return £1,000,000 with proper capital and knowledge and this should be readily obtainable in three years.” Mr Bromiley considered the New Zealand fishing industry had to adjust itself to thinking in terms of invit-

ing foreign capital and technical assistance on a jointventure basis.