Japanese reply over squid angers fishermen

Press, 19 December 1985, Page 6

Japanese reply over squid angers fishermen

By

ALAN GOODALL

Tokyo

The squid war has worsened as the New Zealand fishing industry prepares to call on the Government to tighten restrictions against Japanese fishing fleets. New Zealand fishermen, angry over Japan’s reply to their request for fair access to the multi-million dollar squid market, will demand restricted access to New Zealand waters for incoming Japanese squid fleets until Tokyo grants access for 2000 tonnes ofr New Zealand-caught squid:

The Government has already withheld Japanese access to 3500 tonnes. A New Zealand mission to Tokyo yesterday failed to get assurance of fair access.

The delegation, led by the chairman of the Fishing Industry Board, Mr Mark Hinchliff, included three squid fishermen for the first time, Messrs Peter Talley, Eric Barret, and Murray Tate. Mr Tate, general manager of Skeggs, Ltd, of Dunedin, flew back to Christchurch yesterday “most disappointed.” “We did not get the answers we wanted,” he

said, referring to meetings with Japanese fishing industry groups, trading houses and officials of the Ministries of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries, and international trade and industry. “We will make representation to the Government to obtain a fair go at the highest level. “We will recommend the Government step up restrictions on Japanese fishing vessels in New Zealand waters until we get fair access in Japan for our squid/catch,” Mr Tate said. Copyright, N.Z' Japan News