‘Fish sciences must develop’

Press, 13 September 1982, Page 27

‘Fish sciences must develop’

As New Zealand's offshore fisheries developed, so must the accompanying scientific expertise, the Minister of Fisheries, Mr Maclntyre, has said.

Mr Maclntyre officiallyopened the Fisheries Research Centre at Greta Point in Wellington. The centre is occupied by research staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries' Fisheries Divisions. Mr Maclntyre said that the closer New Zealand came to maximum safe levels of harvest of its various fisheries resources, the more important it became for the scientists' estimation of those resources to be precise. .

“With the capital investments involved we cannot afford to make mistakes." he said.

In 1968. the export targets for all, fisheries were set at $13.1 million for 1973 and $25 million for 1978. Even before the declaration of the 200mile exclusive economic zone, the actual exports were $20.4 million and $63.6 million for those years, he said.

“In the next three years, export values trebled again to $192 million by the end of

1981." said Mr Maclntyre.. The rapid expansion could not be experienced without some growing pains and. as in many other fisheries elsewhere in the world, it had been necessary to make rapid adjustments to preserve the industry and the resources.

The fish stocks were not unlimited and as each vessel entered a fishery, the quantity available to be shared among the Existing fishermen should decrease in proportion.

“But w-hat happens only too often is that the fishermen. to maintain their previous catch levels, fish even harder and the end result is a sometimes spectacular decline in catches and landings. That .does no one any good." Mr Maclntyre said.

Fisheries research staff were aware that the work they did and the recommendations they made could have a serious impact on the livelihood of fishermen. Unlike their counterparts in agriculture, they had to be concerned with adjusting the harvest to the natural production, rather than in trying to improve production and harvest. “Thus the Fisheries

Research and Management Divisions have the problem of limiting harvests to ensure the best economic and biological yields,” he said. Mr Maclntyre said that he was pleased to see the new complex finished, and "an. end to that motley collection of old houses in Upper Willis Street” — referring to the previous accommodation of fisheries research staff.

"It speaks volumes for the dedication of staff that they continued to produce such fine work in such spartan conditions." he said.

Mr Maclntyre said the new complex was also a compliment to the leadership qualities of the Director of thhe Fisheries Research Division, Mr Duncan Waugh. The Greta Point complex has been occupied since May, 1981. The four storey main building is sited on the shoreline of Evans Bay and houses laboratories, studies, and offices for scientists, technicians. and administrators. A connected building contains a large cafeteria and conference and seminar facilities.

An aquarium, a large stores building, and a fully equipped workshop complete the complex.