Mixed views of future for fish

Press, 13 September 1983, Page 16

Mixed views of future for fish

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

In spite of alarm about the future of fishing in New Zealand, the Fishing Industry Board has presented an optimistic annual report to Parliament. It echoes comments made in recent months from fishermen, fishing companies, and Ministry of fisheries staff about the stress being placed upon the inshore fishery and those dependent on it, and the alarming reduction in numbers of some fish species.

But the board says that by most normal measures of progress and effectiveness, the industry is growing and is successful. The value of fish exports continues to increase and deep-water prospects continue to be rosy.

The value of fish exported in 1982 was $253 million—an increase of 33.1 per cent on the 1981 figure. During the last decade the value of fish exports has increased 12-fold, and the volume of exports is now eight times the 1972 level. The 1982 regord export value of fish was achieved in spite of a 3.3 per cent reduction in the volume of exports. This reflects a situation where the limits of catch have been reached for some species. It

also reflects further processing in New Zealand, increasing the value of the fish. Five years ago New Zealand declared its 200-mile exclusive economic zone. Since then the industry has greatly expanded its

capacity to catch and process

The Fishing Industry Board advances several reasons for continued optimism in the fishing industry: ® Local fish, notably rock lobster, snapper, squid, and orange roughy, are in high demand and obtaining excellent prices. • Fish is in high demand as a foodstuff because of its quality, variety, nutritional benefits, ease of preparation, and absence of health risks.

® The demand for fish throughout the world exceeds the supply, so there are no major barriers to international trade. • New Zealand waters are clear and unpolluted; ecological

damage is at a minimum; fish stocks, or future aquaculture projects, are not at risk because of pollution. @ The establishment of sophisticated management for the deepwater fishery provides a basis for rational and effective exploitation. G The calibre of the people within all sections of the industry is high. ® A growing awareness of the need for consultation between all sectors of the industry has emerged.

® There is increased emphasis on quality, as shown by the growing importance of chilled snapper and other chilled products, and of bluefin tuna.

© Increased production of partly-processed products is promising.

In spite of all this, the board concedes that the industry and those engaged in it, or who are dependent upon it, face serious economic difficulties. This is not a short-term phenomenon related to the cyclical nature of fish stocks. It is a fundamental lack of profitability.

The state of the New Zealand economy makes it a difficult environment for any industry, the board says. This is particularly true of the fishing industry, which has received little specific financial assistance.

Thus, export incentives are needed to overcome various problems—including those created by an over-valued currency—and their proposed removal could create major difficulties.