Fish industry ’on move’ says Minister

Press, 22 August 1977, Page 5

Fish industry ’on move’ says Minister

PA Wellington! New Zealand's exports of i fish and fish products during' the first half of 1977 have increased 86 per cent in volume, and 69 per cent in value compared with the period last year. Provisional figures released by the Acting Minister of Fisheries (Mr MacIntyre) indicate that for the; six months ended June 30, fisheries exports amounted to more than 15.000 tonnes, worth nearly S26M. For the same period last year. fisheries exports totalled just over 8000 tonnes, valued at $15.3M. The most spectacular increase was in the fin-fish category, which was up 98 per cent in volume- to 13,600 tonnes, and worth 512.2 M — an increase in value of 81 per cent over last year. Rock lobster exports were more than 900 tonnes, up 11 per cent. However, their value increased by 53 per cent, to SUM.

Shellfish exports were up 135 per cent, and value up 87 per cent to $2.5M. Within [this category, paua exports increased a relatively small 19 per cent in volume, but their value was up 163 per : cent, to SI.BM. Commenting on the figures, ,Mr Maclntyre said they , showed without doubt that the New Zealand fishing industry was on the move, and was already making a signifii cant contribution to the export income. “It is particularly pleasing to see the increase in fin-fish : exports. It is in this category ’ that the greatest potential to expand the fishing industrylies, and the figures sug- ' gest our fishrmen are mak--1 mg the most of the opportun--1 ities available.” 1 Mr Maclntyre said that ' last year it was predicted that it would take 10 years for New Zealand fish exports > to reach 8200 M a year. “In the light of these latest figures, it appears that this target could be reached long 1 before 1986,” he said.