Fishermen ‘harass’ Japanese boat

Press, 27 February 1981, Page 8

Fishermen ‘harass’ Japanese boat

New Zealand fishing boats were “harassing” a Jaymese fisheries research vessel off v/ estport, a spokesman for

t u e fishermen said in a radic message to a report on Tuesday evening. According to the secretary of the Westport Fishermen’s Association, the New Zealanders were protesting at the presence of the Myio Maru, in the albacore tuna fields. In his radio message Mr Pearson s.-.._ he was speaking for about 100 New Zealand boats. The New Zealanders believed the research was being done to prove a viable resource of larger fish so joint

ventures and foreign nations could move in. They were harassing the research vessel, he said, and would give joint ventures or foreign nationals similar treatment.

When asked for their comments a fortnight ago, the ’’’estport Fishermen’s Association strongly opposed letting the survey boat in. “This .was virtually ignored by the Fisheries Research Division,”. said Mr Pearson. “One week later the Japanese trawl boat is here, fishing

; alongside New Zealand boats. Apparently, a Government can move quickly sometimes. “In March-April last year West Coast fishermen, later joined by Nelson fishermen and others, asked for financial assistance. Nine months later a loan of $lO,OOO repayable with interest was offered, subject to certain conditions. Those conditions stoppcG most fishermen apply:ng. Two that I know of who did apply have been refused.” Mr Pearson said that in only one week .the. Government could allow a Japanese ' research vessel into waters at present fished by more i than 100 New Zealand boats. He-said that for this season to-date the New Zealanders had turned over more than $1 million of tuna, which when exported was worth more than $2 million, and thev had been fishing for albacore for about eight years. “All fishermen contacted on New Zealand boats do not want Kyio Maru here. Any information obtained by the Japanese may filter back : to New Zealand in a couple : of years. In the meantime they can apply for joint ven- i

I ture schemes, much to the ■ detriment of the New Zealand vessels.” The New Zealand fisheries research men on board !the Myio Maru had made no effort to talk to local boats in the vicinity, he said. Mr Pearsori said one of those on board was George Hubbid of the Fisheries Research Divison, who made submissions to the Government that the research would be of benefit to the New Zealand fleet. “It will be of no use to any fishing vessel at present tuna fishing off the West Coast,” said Mr Pearson. New Zealand fishermen might not be militant ashore, he said, but things were different at sea, “So fat, as much harassment as possible has been instigated against .the Myio Maru. Any future joint vessel or foreign fishing vessel, blue-finning or albacore fishing, will be given as much harassment as possible. “It appears the fishing., industry board and the Government does not want to help. It seems-that even the fishermen’s federation cannot make the wheels turn ■ in favour of New Zealand fishermen.”