Meeting Held On Mussel Farming

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32099, 22 September 1969, Page 24

Meeting Held On Mussel Farming

(New Zealand Press Association) BLENHEIM, September 21. A million-dollar mussel-farming industry could be running fully in about seven years in the Marlborough Sounds if commercial trials, to start later this year, are successful.

Envisaged is a farming industry based on the use of rafts, commercially and privately owned and moored in areas away from shipping lanes and settled areas, not interfering with access to beaches or private recreational activities.

Up to 180 huge rafts from each of which hundreds of 30ft ropes are suspended for the growing of the shellfish, and costing up to $3OOO each, will cover a total area of about 40 acres of water, principally in the Kenepuru Sound.

A meeting on Friday of settlers, fishermen, Federated Fanners, harbour board, Fishing Industry Board and Marine Department officials, in-

eluding the Secretary of Marine (Mr N. Kerr), and scientists discussed problems. Mr Kerr said regulations would now be drafted in accordance with the provisions of the Marine Farming Act, 1968. Dr R. Pike, director of the marine laboratory at Victoria University, commented: “Biologically we can produce mussels, but we are unsure economically.”

Secretary To Retire.—The Secretary of Defence (Mr W. Hutchings) will retire before the end of the year. He has been senior civilian officer of the Ministry of Defence since 1966.—(P.A.)