Fishing rental increase could ‘cripple industry’

Press, 21 May 1987, Page 8

Fishing rental increase could ‘cripple industry’

Wellington reporter The Government seems determined to cripple the fishing industry, according to the Opposition spokesman on fishing, Mr Doug Kidd. Proposed increases of about 300 per cent in the fishing resource rental meant that "driven by Treasury dogma, the Government is ripping off the industry,” he said. The move would slow investment in the industry by New Zealanders and increase foreign involvement. “The Government does not care about jobs for New; Zealanders — it just wartts its pound of fish.”

Mr Kidd also condemned the passing of the Labour Relations Bill which forced compulsory unionism on an industry that had always rejected it. Executives in Nelson said yesterday that the proposed increase in Government levies could kill the fishing industry. “I can’t believe the Government is doing this to us,” said the chief executive of Sealord Products, Mr ’ Graham France. “We can’t afford to pay it, it is as simple as that,” said Skeggs Foods, Ltd, -chief executive, Mr Bryan pJkeggs.

The increase, which applies to resource rentals the Government levies on each tonne of fish quota, has also been criticised by the general manager of the Fishing Industry Board, Mr Nick Jarman. Mr France said resource rentals cost Sealord $2.5 million last year and with the increase would rise to $8 million next year. The Minister of Fisheries, Mr Moyle, met fishing representatives on Tuesday to discuss the proposed increases, which range from $5.50 a tonne for barracouta (now $3) to tonne for orange roughy*up from $100).