Scallop problems

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33601, 1 August 1974, Page 2

Scallop problems

I.VZ. Press Association) BLENHEIM, July 31. The prospect of an “invasion” by a fleet of up to 90 fishing boats for the start of the i scallop season in Pelorus Sound tomorrow morning is not a welcome one for many people iff Havelock. The memory of last year’s invasion, which struck a bonanza, is still fresh in the minds of the resident commercial fishermen and the imany people who work in the processing industry in the [township, at the head of the | sound. “We are very unhappy about this prospect,” said Mr T. Reeves, a local fisherman and merchant. For six years he has urged the Ministry

of Agriculture and Fisheries | in Wellington for restrictions ion fishing in the sounds. A repetition of last year’s catch by the big “foreign” fleet would ruin the local industry, Mr Reeves said. “Six years ago I pleaded with the fisheries people in Wellington to do something to save the mussels from this same sort of thing. Nothing was done. The only mussels left today are those on the ‘farms’,” he said. But yesterday Mr Reeves received some encouragement. Three fisheries inspectors visited Havelock, and made it clear that they would police very strictly the catches, both aboard trawlers and in the hands of merchants. Anyone with undersize scallops would have to answer to the inspectors, Mr Reeves said. He reiterated a statement made yesterday by Mr R. L. Brow, of Nelson,

[the commercial fishermen’s ‘representative on the Fishing Industry Board, that merchants would keep a strict watch for undersize scallops. He said it was difficult to judge prospects for the season. “The bonanza hauls of last year were unexpected. We don’t want that this year. A moderate season will keep fishermen and merchants happy,” he said. But, he added, if the future of the commercial fishermen of Havelock were to be made secure a more definite line on the industry’s requests would have to be taken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. Mr Reeves said boats from 'Motueka, Takaka and Nelson could be expected in the sheltered waters of the sound for the scallop seaison.