N.Z. FISHERIES NOT BEING DEVELOPED, SCIENTIST SAYS

Grey River Argus, 19 February 1949, Page 4

N.Z. FISHERIES NOT BEING DEVELOPED, SCIENTIST SAYS

Scope For Far More Production

P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb 18. Professor L. R. Richardon, of Victoria University College, addressed zoologists and oceanographers at the Pacific Science Congress here to-day. He said: —

The New Zealand fisheries- present a picture that is unfortunate at this time when an actual and potential food shortage threatens the welfare of so many peoples. In spite of our oceanic position, this country neither supplies itself adequately with marine products, nor contributes sufficiently to world markets. Fisheries of this area have been left for 100 years in the hands of a community which is independent of the sea; which seeks its living from the land, and which finds its international trade in produce from land. Until recently, he said, the sea food supplies were developed essentially for markets round the ports. Little attention, was given to supplying the remote,districts. The general pattern was more that of a mediaeval coastal fishery than that, of a modern economic industry. Frofesor Richardson said. —“Acute timidity is hindering our fisheries development. There is a fear of exploitation and destruction of our marine resources. It is largely based on a faulty appreciation of the extent and fertility of our seas. The said that New Zealand’s general coastline is double that of the United States Pacific ’coast. He urged the creation of efficient small fishing ports around the coasts and concentration on supplying smoked, dried and canned products. There were remarkable opportunities to increase the spirit crayfish catch, and to take a wider range of other fish commercially desirable. Prawn, he said was present in considerable quantities and a prawn fishery should be developed and imports should be abandoned. By comparison, the shell fish industry was active, but an immense expansion was possible. “We have in this country an example of economic waste in an international sense, he said. The New Zealander is acutely aware of his .country's position as a source of dairy goods, meat, and wool for the people of the w r orld, but he has no vision' of national responsibility with regard to the sea. There is a hampering lack of a vigorous national policy for proper utilisation of the marine resources which' can be'countered only by education. At this time we might w-ell consider that the establishment of an international agency might provide the ready and proper development of our fisheries in terms of the needs of the peoples of the world.”