Fish shortages to be checked

Press, 14 March 1987, Page 1

Fish shortages to be checked

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

Allegations of fish shortages on the local market are being investigated by the Ministry of Fisheries. The Minister of Fisheries, Mr Moyle, said the catching sector had a responsibility to ensure that the local market was properly supplied with a range of quality fish throughout the year. One aim of the I.T.Q. (individual transferrable quota) system the Government had set up was to ensure the continuation of a viable, efficient commercial fishing industry. "In return for that pro-

tection I expect the commercial sector to meet its obligations to the New Zealand public,” he said. The report of the Ministiy investigation would be discussed with the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Mrs Shields, before the Government met the Fish Retailers’ Federation to hear its representations. “I accept that there has to be a settling down period for the new inshore fisheries management plan, which is only a few months old, and so I am not going to prejudge the matter," Mr Moyle said. “But if there is a problem I intend to see that it is resolved."

There was also concern about the high price of fish. Mr Moyle said the higher prices locally had two causes. The reduction of the available catch of the most popular species, such as snapper, the strong export demand and good prices for New Zealand fish selling overseas. “Fish is now a valuable export product and as with meat, wool, and dairy and fruit exports we have too few resources to neglect any profitable export opportunity,” Mr Moyle said. “But higher prices were one thing, and reports of shortages quite another."