Tuna-fishing survey

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32493, 31 December 1970, Page 12

Tuna-fishing survey

N Z. Press Association) fAURANGA, Dec. 30. A survey is planned off the North Island’s east coast between Whitianga and the Mahia Peninsula of yellowfin, bluefin, albacore, and skipjack tuna resources.

The Marine Department’s tuna fisheries research officer (Mr A. G. York) is in charge of the project, the most extensive tuna fishing programme undertaken in New Zealand.

Mr York hopes to have the co-operation of commercial fishermen in 35 boats, 20,0 f which will be equipped with monofilament gill nets’ lent by the department at Tauranga. The department has allocated the programme enough money for 100 hours of aerial tuna-spotting, and through this Mr York hopes to be able to co-ordinate the activities of his wide-spread tuna fleet. This will be the third successive season in which Mr York has directed his tuna research programme from Whakatane.

The aim. of the programme is to learn as much as possible about the habits of the various tuna species in New Zealand waters so that the resource can be fished as effectively and as. efficiently as possible. This season Mr York will emphasise acoutics in con-

nection with tuna. He uses acoustics in three ways: To determine whether a fishing craft is emitting discordant noises - underwater (tuna are very sound conscious, and become “spooky’,’ when frightened by unusual sounds). To locate schools of tuna by listening for the distinctive sound of gannets striking the water when they dive for qnchovies. Tp transmit the sounds of a school of tuna and gannets indulging in their typical “feeding frenzy” on anchovies, using the noise as a lure to attract the tuna. The department hopes methods of fishing tuna economically can be found fot three reasons: To use an almost untapped and readily marketable fish resource. To open up a new avenue in

fish exports to markets where tuna is already sought. To provide east coast lobstermen with an alternative income in their offseason. To facilitate easy communications and immediate area information, gridded charts will be supplied to fishermen, and they will receive information on all catches from Whitianga to the Mahia Peninsula. Mr York says a particularly encouraging development is that the demand for tuna is increasing. Wholesalers are paying more this season than they paid last season.