FISHING INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 33, 2 November 1933, Page 2

FISHING INDUSTRY

Island Bay Problem FACILITIES NEEDED The East Rocks Proposals " For at least ten years past a controversy has raged over the rights of the fishermen and the wrongs to. the public at island Ba;y. While the problem is still a live one with many people south of Duppa Street, it looks as though it is very probable that the troublous business is about to be ended by conceding to the fishermen what they have wanted for years past —a landing-place and facilities on the rocks on the eastern side of Island Bay. . Twentylfivc years ago when the fishing boats and launches were smauer than they are to-day, and the industry of lesser inpment, owing to the quantities of fish that used to supply the Wellington market from Napier and Picton, the fishermen used the western “creek” as a landing-place for their Cook Strait catches. This “creek” was merely a little narrow lane of seawater which veined the western foreshore rock's at the bay. " Trouble came when- the fishermen made a practice bf cleaning fish in the bay and littering up the bathing beach with their nets. It was thought then, as now, that their operations should be restricted to the western rocks, and on no account should they be. allowed on the beach, with boats and nets.

Aj; one time feeling ran so high that the fishermen found the nets they had left on the beach sadly hacked about.

Report by Commission.

When Mr. G. A, Troup was elected Mayor the problem was still a burning one at the Bay. He set up a commission under Mr. F. W. Furkert, and a report was obtained on a proposal to establish the fishermen on the island, with a bridge connection with the mainland at the western side of the bay. When prices were secured from England, however, it became clear that the cost of erection was too groat for the object served. Furthermore it was considered that the position was altogether too exposed for an aerial bridge from the western shore to the'island.

The report of the commission favoured the eastern rocks as a landing place, indicating that this spot was the most sheltered, provided the best water, and was near the main road. This was precisely what the fishermen had said. It was no fresh conclusion, and did not ..consider the public side of the matter at all—the probable nuisance created .the giving over of the bay to the fishing Industry and the despoliation, of the bathing place.

These points'wer<y urged with such enthusiasm by Island Bay residents, speaking through its Municipal Electors’ Association, that successive councils have hesitated over giving effect to the commission’s' findings. Earlier this year, however,, representatives of the industry waited upon the council committee,' submitting a definite plan ior the establishment of a ' landing place on the western rocks —a concrete quay and a shed to receive and deliver the' fish—all to be erected at the expense of the fishermen, with a guarantee that the depot would be so conducted that it would create no nuisance. The" committee was not hostile at the effort of the fishermen to help themselves, and from what can be gathered there are enough members of the council who favour the. proposal to carry it in effect when it is brought up for decision. Latest Movement. The latest movement has been to supply all councillors with a large coloured plan of Island Bay, showing the location of the landing place in its relation to the bathing sheds. What is new in tills plan is the provision for a dinghy slip alongside the depot which was not mentioned at the deputation. In the meantime the Island Bay Municipal Electors’ Association is still strenuously opposed to tlie proposal. It considers that not only does the proposal rob the public of a popular summer picnic ground but the bay generally is being dealt a blow by the City Council.