‘Fishing industry has fallen short of aim’

Press, 5 June 1982, Page 22

‘Fishing industry has fallen short of aim’

PA Blenheim Development of the local fishing industry in the 200mile exclusive economic zone had fallen far short of expectations, the Undersecretary of Agriculture and Fisheries (Mr Austin) told the Federation of Commercial Fishermen's conference at Picton. He said that the balance of domestic, co-operative venture and foreign-licensed • fishing in New Zealand was "perhaps an uneasy one" but that New Zealand had little idea' what was being taken on when the zone was declared in 1978. Few had fished in deep waters, boats and processing equipment were not adequate to handle the kind of fish caught, and no one had any idea bow much fish was available, said Mr Austin. New Zealand must therefore give access to foreign countries if it could not fish , the resources itself, he said. Commenting on the inshore industry, he said that catching limits must be imposed if New Zealand fishermen were to stay in business. But Labour’s spokesman for primary industries, Sir Basil Arthur, told the conference that the Government had its fishing priorities wrong. He said that only recently fishing agreements with Japan. Korea, and the Soviet Union had been extended for another two years. But joint-venture approvals had been put off for another year and the Government still had not made any decision on whether local fishermen could import ■ larger vessels for deep-water 1 fishing. Sir Basil said that under < ■present Government policy it ‘ was the foreign fleet which < had the most security, then I by joint ventures, and. local ' fishermen last. . He said that New Zealand i

should come first, followed by joint ventures and the foreign fleet being allowed to take up any slack left. ■ The Government has been told that the fishing industry does not want a continuation of "fish for beef or fish for old ewe" trade-offs. The president of the Federation of Commercial Fishermen. Mr G. S. Field, told the conference that some of the deep-water resources must be available for local fishermen. Addressing his remarks to Mr Austin. Mr Field was critical of the Government's action in deferring a decision on importing larger vessels for deep-water fishing. He said that New Zealand fishermen were being penalised in direct contravention of the Government's stated policy. Mr Field' also asked Mr Austin for an assurance that New Zealand vessels would

be given protection, and priorities in allocating quotas for those fishing in deep water. Commercial fishermen want compensation for those deprived of their traditional livelihood as a result of the move towards controlled fisheries and their federation will ask that provision for compensation be provided for, in the new Fisheries Act. The federation has also decided to seek restrictions on foreign and joint venture squid boats in the Canterbury Bight. The .assistant general manager of the Fishing Industry Board. Mr Howard Stone, has been appointed secretary-executive officer with the Federation of Commercial Fishermen. He has resigned from the board to take up his new popt. A Napier fishermen. Mr Peter Stevens, has been appointed field officer.