MARKET FOR N.Z. EELS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31730, 13 July 1968, Page 17

MARKET FOR N.Z. EELS

(Specially written for “The Press" by R. C. KINGSBURY) Although there is little demand in New Zealand for eels a potential and profitable market for them exists in Europe, Britain, the United States and many Pacific areas. They are considered a delicacy in these countries, and the demand for them is unsatisfied. New Zealand has an abundance of eels which, If correctly processed and packed, are eminently suitable for export. Silver-bellied eels, particularly tiie smaller specimens, can find a ready market but quality and proper handling are paramount Mr H. Jorgensen, the district inspector of fisheries for the Marine Department in Christchurch, said the department was trying to encourage the fishing industry to develop its potential in eel export The department had an all-round picture of the situation from the point of view of the fishermen, wholesalers and retailers. Ellesmere Eels The functions of the department included the enforcement of regulations such as those governing the position

of nets, their type and the size of mesh. It also acted in an advisory role, and at times carried out its own experiments. He said a special dispensation had been granted fishermen at Lake Ellesmere which permitted them to use fyke nets for eeling between Lakeside and Taumutu. A report in “Export News,” a publication of the Department of Industries and Commerce, says some New Zealand eels had been found unacceptable in some markets, because of incorrect processing which resulted in a muddy flavour, spreading of blood throughout the flesh, or other deterioration. This was easily avoided if care was taken in processing. Eels should be allowed to swim without food in clear running water for several days to cleanse them of this mudy taste. Skill Needed The report says that jellying eels had so far not been successful in New Zealand because the method required considerable technical skill which had not been atttained. Smoked eels were being exported, but some did not travel well and they were not acceptable in all markets. “Smoking is a highly specialised operation which processors often prefer to do themselves to suit local taste. Consequently, frozen eels which may be processed by an importer are frequently preferred.” More than one ton of eels are sold each week in Melbourne, including some New Zealand supplies of frozen and smoked eels, but the market for frozen eels is small. The demand for frozen eels is small in Britain where they are used for smoking and jellying, but the demand increases from November to April when the local supply declines. Western Germany has 40 importers of deep frozen eels, but silver eels only are considered suitable for smoking. There is a good market for frozen silver eels in the Netherlands, particularly those from 21b to 51b. Samples of canned smoked eels have also been well received. Belgium and Denmark also offer markets for frozen silver eels, and liftiited markets exist in Singapore and Malaysia. Stringent specifications exist for the United States market, and Japan's potential is largely unexplored.

Trial Shipments Mr H. L. Shadbolt, managing director of Independent Fisheries, Ltd, is one of two wholesalers dealing in eels with the Lake eilesmere fishermen. He said that he made his first move to export eels about six years ago with letters to continental importers. He followed these up with samples to the United Kingdom, United States, Sweden, Italy and Germany but, “coudn’t sell a thing,” he said. “During the last four years I have exported an average of five tons of frozen eels a year. This year I sent away 15 tons of migratory eels, but these are still trial shipments as fair as I'm concerned. I’m still experimenting and learning from others.” Mr Shadbrit said the catch in fyke nets at Lake Ellesmere was first held in baskets in the lake, then put into drums of water. The eels were then killed, packed in 301 b cartons, and held in cold storage until shipped. The Continental markets wanted eels between 41b and 21b, but would take them between 21b and 31b. He had sent them up to 61b and had found markets for even heavier. They were considered to be in their best condition during the migratory period from February to early May. "There are tremendous pos-

sibilities for diversification if the industry can get the monetary backing It needs,” Mr Shadbolt said.