Channel catfish
Sir, — Can the Minister of Agriculture inform the public through these columns what research has been done here on channel catfish, currently under consideration for liberation into New Zealand waters for commercial reasons? Has an environmental impact study been carried out to gauge what damage to other species these large predators could do once they escape into rivers and streams, as inevitably they will do if the example of koi carp is anything to judge by? All freshwater fish, whether native or introduced, are at great risk here and I believe some concrete evidence to the contrary is urgently needed. — Yours, etc., B. W. MOYSE. June 7, 1989.
[Mr R. R. Maxwell replies for the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Moyle: “The proposal to import channel catfish is a joint venture between the Runanga o Muri whenua and Northland Support (Presbyterian Services). Their purpose is not to liberate channel catfish into New Zealand waters for commercial reasons but to create employment opportunities in the Northland area. They intend to create an industry based on farm-raised fish in land-based freshwater ponds. The aim is to establish a processing facility in the north, and to sell produce both on domestic and international markets. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is not an advocate for this proposal, one way or another; it is the Ministry’s responsibility to ensure that all the necessary information has been submitted, and the risks and benefits have been weighed up. An extensive environmental impact assessment has been completed and distributed to other Ministries and specialist organisations for their comment. To date, there is no evidence of detrimental effects that would be caused by the introduction of catfish. The catfish would be in quarantine for up to approximately four years and then sterile fish would be used in specific environmental impact experiments, e.g., experiments designed to determine whether catfish competed with eels and koura for the same habitats. Authority for destruction of stocks either on disease or environmental grounds does exist, if the need arises.”]
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19890726.2.90.1
Bibliographic details
Press, 26 July 1989, Page 16
Word Count
337Channel catfish Press, 26 July 1989, Page 16
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.