Fears that Milford Sound may be cray factory site

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32586, 21 April 1971, Page 2

Fears that Milford Sound may be cray factory site

(New Zealand Press Association) s WELLINGTON, April 20. The Tourist Hotel Corporation fears that a factory to process rock lobsters may be established at Milford Sound. It sees this as a possible effect if the tailing of rock lobsters at sea in the Fiordland area should be prohibited.

The corporation’s deputy general manager (Mr L. S. Dennis) today asked the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Fishing Industry to consider the possible consequences if it should agree to prohibiting the tailing of these lobsters at sea. “It would seem that if fishermen in Fiordland waters were prohibited from tailing

rock lobsters at sea it would be necessary to establish a factory or processing plant ashore,” Mr Dennis said. "The Tourist Hotel Corporation has already had an approach from a company to establish such a factory at Milford Sound.” The corporation was concerned that for practical reasons, such as road access and communications, Milford would appear to the fishing industry to be a desirable place for a processing factory.

“Such a step would be highly undesirable because of the interference with the natural scenery and attractions at Milford Sound,” Mr Dennis said. Milford Sound was a major drawcard to tourists and the corporation was vitally concerned that nothing be done to spoil its attractions, or jeopardise tourism’s substantial contribution to the economy. The corporation was supported in its submissions by the National Parks Authority. The Assistant Director of National Parks and Reserves (Mr G. McMillan) on behalf of the authority’s chairman (Mr R. J. McLachlan) said that the national park bodies’ concern was related primarily to Milford. “It is stressed that the national park bodies are not opposed to a prohibition on tailing at sea in itself,” he said. "If land-based facilities could be established on the coast outside the national park, say at Jacksons Bay or somewhere in Te Waewae Bay, then the cause for concern about possible adverse effects on Fiordland National Park would not exist.” The authority conceded, however, that anywhere other than Milford Sound would probably be unattractive to the fishing industry. Deep

Cove in Doubtful Sound, already modified by construction activities, was suggested as an alternative.