Scallop catches slump

Press, 9 August 1976, Page 6

Scallop catches slump

NZPA Nelson I The dramatic decline in scallop catches this season is causing widespread concern in the fishing industry. The industry, which last year was estimated as being worth S3M, benefiting mainly the Nelson province, appears 1 likely to be far less lucrative this year. The season is less than i four weeks old. but catches 1 are up to 60 per cent down on what they were at the corresponding time last year. The seriousness of the situation was underlined on Friday when the NelsonMarlborough Seafood Processors’ Association and representatives of fishermen's associations from Nelson, Motueka-Golden Bay, Picton, Havelock, and the West Coast met to discuss their concern.

A statement released on Saturday by the secretary of the Nelson Fishermen’s Association (Mr A. Robertori) said:

“This meeting was convened because of the parties’ concern over the diminishing returns of scallops in the Tasman Bay-Marlborough Sounds area. Both boats and companies have a catch rate which, in some cases, is only 40 per cent of what was being caught at the corresponding time last year. "While this puts considerable financial pressure on the industry, it was agreed by all parties that at present all effort should be made to ensure that the housewife does not have to pay more for scallops than she does now. "Although a small adjustment was made to the fishermen’s share, this should not appreciably affect the price of scallops to the public.”