EXPORT TO AUSTRALIA Fish processing affected by ban

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32873, 23 March 1972, Page 1

EXPORT TO AUSTRALIA Fish processing affected by ban

(New Zealand Press Association)

NELSON, March 22. Nelson fish processing firms were today keeping silent about the effects of the Australian ban on New Zealand shark.

The Nelson-Picton area is the country’s major shark-landing centre. The Nelson firms of Wonder Foods, Ltd, and Nelson Fisheries, Ltd, and the Motueka firm of Talley’s Fisheries said that any comment would come from the Fishing Industry Board in Wellington.

Fish processed in the area is understood to be among the consignments detained at Melbourne. A shipment packed in a container and waiting at Lyttelton is also believed to be local fish. The consignments, consisting of about 50 per cent shark fillet, were found to have a mercury content in excess of the Australian regulations. Most shark landed in the . Nelson-Picton area is ex-

ported—mainly to Australia —where it is sold in fish and chip shops. Only a small quantity of shark is bought locally. Japanese fishing scientists in Nelson said today they felt that both New Zealand and Australia were too ner-

vous about the mercury levels and that the levels in the two countries were too strict.

The director of Japan-New Zealand Developments, Ltd (Mr J. Anjo), who is based at the port factory of Wonder Foods, said the permitted mercury level in fish in Japan was 1.0 part per million. “In Japan we eat considerably more fish per head than in either New Zealand or Australia and we consider our levels are well within safety limits,” he said. “It is my opinion that the levels in New Zealand and Australia are too strict. The

content of mercury to produce any illness has to be very high and large quantities of fish have to be consumed before there is a danger. “In Japan there was stringent testing for permitted mercury levels and if the levels were too high they would be reduced immediately.” Mr Anjo said that shark was a low grade or “rubbish fish” in Japan and was mostly caught in the country’s territorial waters. He said that the older the fish the higher the mercury content; and some tuna, mostly the albacore variety, and halibut had a higher content.

Analysis awaited

Eight shipments of New Zealand flake fillets are waiting for chemical analysis in Melbourne after discovery of excess mercury content in two . similar loads of the fish, according to the Press Association. Customs officials in Melbourne detained the two shipments, totalling 12,8001 b of the fish, and held up eight further loads for inspection. They said yesterday the New Zealand shippers could have the fish back if they wanted it. Mr K. M. Dalton, senior assistant customs director of revenue in Victoria said that analysis of imported fish had been under way for several months, but only in the last few days was excessive mer-

cury found—and it was only in New Zealand flake fillets.

“We are not discriminating against New Zealand fish exports, but I understand they have a problem with mercury contamination over there,” said Mr Dalton.

Sydney seizing And in Sydney, New South Wales officials impounded the fish cargo of the Union Company roll-on vessel Maheno, which berthed at Sydney yesterday. A total of 1200 cartons of fish is being held, of which only 800 are flake fillets. It is the first seizing in Sydney, all others occurring in Melbourne. Mr K. Tierney, managing director of Australian Food Distributors, Ltd, to whom the cargo was assigned, was irate tonight that officials should hold the entire fish cargo, although to date unacceptable mercury levels have been detected only in flake (shark). Meanwhile, New Zealaiid Government trade representatives in Australia are continuing to investigate the problem. Mass testing While the fishing industry both in New Zealand and Australia is clamouring for a quick solution to the problem, the matter is not one that can be resolved overnight. For any progress to be made, it has first to be established what variety of shark contains the high mercury level and where it is caught. Having established this, a workable and practicable method of mass testing for mercury levels has then to be found, one which will meet the approval of countries taking delivery of New Zealand shark shipments. Talks soon Having done that, some suitable method of certification has to be agreed upon, indicating that shipments of

New Zealand shark are within acceptable mercurylevel limits.

Mr Tiemey, who said he expected the general manager of the New Zealand Fishing Industry Board (Mr J. S. Campbell) to visit Australia for talks with senior Australian officials next week, said it was important that common ground be found as a basis for testing for mercury levels.