OYSTER SEASON

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 40, 17 February 1939, Page 11

OYSTER SEASON

LOCAL SUPPLIES

AVAILABLE NEXT TUESDAY

The first oysters of the season will be available in Wellington about JO o'clock next Tuesday morning. Actually the season opened this year last Wednesday, instead of on February 1, the idea being to avoid hot weather during the transport north. Trawler men, it is stated, thoroughly approve, and an excellent oyster season is assured.

Last Wednesday, one of the roughest days of the summer in the area, the first "oysters of the season were gathered in Foveaux Strait. Ten vessels left Bluff early in the morning, and most of the trawling, was done on the Ruapuke bed. The oysters were, if anything, better in quality than those of last year. Although' the first-day supplies were not nearly so plentiful, they sold at the same price as last year. It is estimated that the trawlers averaged from 28 to 30 sacks lor the day's, work.

Wednesday's "catch" was, apart from a small number that were sent to Auckland by aeroplane, insufficient to supply towns in the North Island, although most South Island centres received their quota.

EXTENT OF BEDS

The oysters dredged from Foveaux Strait are claimed to be the largest in the World, but, says Ijhe "Southland Times." the size and quality vary according to the depth of the water. It is generally agreed that there has been a decrease in the number of fullsize oysters in this area, and it was suggested in the report of the Sea Fisheries Investigation Committee that the east bed be closed for a time to allow it to recover from the heavy depletions which have resulted' from too much dredging-

According to a Bluff merchant, eleven vessels have -been operating at that particular bed for many years, the area being favoured because a preference had been shown by the public for the bigger oysters. Competition in the trade was keen, and it was only natural that all oystermen would concentrate on the place where the best product was obtainable. Only by regulation could the bed be closed satisfactorily, it was stated. As no .announcement has been made of the Government's, intention to close the bed, it is likely that dredging will be continued there. .

SUPPLY FOB CENTURIES

The area from which good oysters can be obtained Is stated to be very

extensive. More than 60,000,000 oysters

were taken from Foveaux Strait in , 1937; yet it is estimated that the known beds could maintain that output for the next 300 years. It has been stated that the areas already known to oystermen contain at a conservative estimate at least, twenty thousand million oysters. ' It is understood that a new company will begin operations this year as a distributor of oysters, a means having been devised of transporting the oysters in a way that will ensure their reaching northern markets, iman absolutely fresh condition. Tests were made last year, and the success of the method was established.