N.Z. fish eyed by Australia

Press, 27 March 1980, Page 29

N.Z. fish eyed by Australia

Australian importers are showing renewed interest in New Zealand as a source of fish, according to an article. The interest had been rekindled because of the increasing cost and shortage of fish from traditional sources, the growth of the New Zealand fishing industry, and the ■knowledge that it would take some time before the Australian industry was able to cope with domestic demand. Fillets and whole fish were attracting the most attention, said the article in “Australian Fisheries,” a government publication. “New Zealand is well placed to supply a greater percentage of Australian fish imports. The industry has grown considerably in recent . yeas and there seem to be ample resources of fish, boats and processing facilities to support further development,” the story said. Trans-Tasman fish trade is heavily in New Zealand’s favour. In 1978-79 Australia took $ll million worth of fish from New Zealand and exported $1.7 million worth, it said. Five years ago Australia imported $3.9 million worht of fish from New Zealand. New’ Zealand was also an increasingly important supplier to the Australian market. In 1978-79 it sup-, plied about 9 per cent of Australia’s total seafood imports and 20 per cent of imports of fresh, chilled, and frozen fish. Five years ago- the figures w’ere 5 per cent and 15 per Cent respectively. The article said imports from New Zealand were continuing to grow and in the four months to October last year they were up 70 per cent from the same period in 1978, with most of the increase in fillets. The longterm New Zealand Government incentives to fishermen should encourage the development of new species and markets.

“However the growth of the industry will be such that Australia can be expected to take increasing quantities of New Zealand fish. “This development will be assisted by expected improvements in New Zealand fish quality and demands of the Australian market,” the article said.