FISHING FOR TUNA

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 50, 1 March 1937, Page 6

FISHING FOR TUNA

N.Z.;. WATERS

MUCH TO-BE LEARNED

(By Telegraph—Press -Association.)

AUCKLAND, February 28.

"Not until ,another two years' research has been completed will tuna fishingl in New Zealand waters be at a stage when it may be commercialised with, advantage," said Mr. J. J. Enwright, general manager of Sanford Ltd. Mr. Enwright was a member of a party on board the trawler Maud E during its recent cruise in northern waters, when fishing for tuna in that area was investigated on behalf of an American company. The remaining members of- the party were Mr. A. W. B. Powell, acting-director of the War Memorial Museum, Mir. W. J. Bowden, superintendent at Auckland of the Department of Industries and Commerce, and Captain Daniels, Inspector of Fisheries, who represented the Marine Department. .

The cruise was purely for the purpose of discovering grounds which the tuna frequented, and although between Cape Hodney and Parengarenga several strikes were made, the trawler did riot stop to take advantage of the opportunity of taking further fish.

"The fish were not plentiful," said Mr. Enwright, "and at times we went for a full day without a strike. The opportunity was taken to use live bait and although we learned a lot of the habits and feeding methods of the fish, there is still a great deal to be learned before the industry can be established."

. Ai: effort will be made before next season either to have a crew which is experienced in tuna fishing brought out from California to conduct further research, or to send a number of local fishermen to America : to study tuna fishing methods in use there. A report on.the cruise will-be forwarded to the, Marine Department.