Facilities for albacore

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33263, 28 June 1973, Page 23

Facilities for albacore

Albacore fishing facilities costing $lOO,OOO will be built on the Greymouth waterfront before the end of this year. This is the result of the fishing boom in tuna —or white albacore as it is known in the United States — off Greymouth earlier this year.

The company which will build the facilities is Tuna Fishing Company Ltd, which acts as agents for the American tuna processing company, Star Kist Foods.

Some of the best catches of tuna yet made in New Zealand waters have been taken off the West Coast this year. Such was the extent of the catches that the existing fish freezers were soon filled.

The new facilities will include a 30-ton brine tank for preserving the albacore and two hoists will be erected for unloading the fishing boats. Forklift trucks with a capacity of 80001 b will be used for transporting the albacore to the brine tank. The Greymouth Harbour Board is co-operating fully

in the proposal. It will strengthen the wharf and make premises available to the company adjacent to the wharf.

The general manager of ' Tuna Fishing Company (Mr • D. Baker) said that the pros- J pects of installing freezing * facilities were being exam- J ined, and negotiations on “ this point were continuing * with the National Develop- • ment Council. 1 The tuna will be exported * whole to the United States. » This year they were caught W in warm water near the 1 continental shelf 20 to 30 » miles offshore. Provided that the tuna are around again i in the new season the Grey- > mouth fishing fleet of more * than 20 boats is likely to M be enlarged, and the waterfront should provide a busy scene.