A FLOATING CANNERY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 136, 5 December 1929, Page 23

A FLOATING CANNERY

A- novel floating factory will shortly leave Britain for the West Coast of Africa where she will be engaged in canning fish and making nsh-meal and various by-pro- ♦ i Ji he V6SSeI is a 12.°°0-t°» converted White Star liner, and will be equipped with every modern mechanical appliance for dealing with large quantities of fish. It is understood that the vessel will be anchored on the Arguin Bank which is one of the most prolific fishing areas m the world, and will carry a large number of boats, from which the fish will be netted, or caught with lines. All necessary equipment will be carried, including a complete tin-making piant. The vessel is expected to remain on the Bank for several months. A fish-meal oil, and bone-meal industry on a large scale is expected to commence in a few months on the South African coast, which would ensure a cheap and plentiful supply of fertiliser to the farmer, and it is 'probable that a sardine cannery will also be established. Other countries are making rapid strides with regard to the prolific sea harvest, especially British Columbia, where the fish-meal and by-products are valued at about £4,000,000 a year, whereas five years ago, after the first year's operations, the value was £64,000. The coast lines of South and South-West Africa are rich in marine life which has not yet been exploited, and open up a new field for employment and a source of revenue to the Government.