DECLINE IN N.Z. FISHERIES REPORTED

Grey River Argus, 28 September 1949, Page 4

DECLINE IN N.Z. FISHERIES REPORTED

P.A. WELLINGTON, Sept. 27 In the House of Representatives to-day the estimates for the Marine Department were discussed. Mr W. P. Broadfoot (Nat. Waitomo) and other Opposition speakers expressed alarm at a decline in the yield from the fishing grounds, and suggested that there should be a closed season for crayfish in order to build up supplies. Mr Broadfoot asked: “These people are using the tails for export, but what happens to the rest of the crayfish? What is being done to conserve crayfish grounds, and what happens to under-sized crayfish when they are caught,” Mr W. A. Bodkin (Nat. Central Otago) said that fishermen along the coast of Otago were very concerned

about a rapid depletion of fish in those waters, which was thought to have been' brought about by trawling activities. He said that if something was not done to conserve and protect fishing grounds the supply of fish would be a rare luxury for householders. The Minister of Marine, Hon. F. Hackett, said that alarm had been expresed in all quarters about a decline in our fish resources. The time might be very close when all of New Zealand’s native fish —schnapper and terakihi in particular—would vanish. Investigators were using radar asdic apparatus to try to locate herring, which had been said to have left the north sea grounds, and it might be that, one day, the New Zealand grounds would be found deserted. Climatic conditions and the warmth of the water determined whether there would be food for fish to feed on. He thought it was not. necessarily a case of the crayfish being fished' out, but that the food supply had declined, and that the fish, had moved to other grounds. “There is no man in the world who can tell the age of a crayfish,” said the Minister, in reply to a question by Mr Broadfoot. There were men who had been catching crayfish for fifty years, and they were not able to tell the age of those they caught. M r Broadfoot caused a little more interest in the discussion by extracting from an envelope a small crayfish—a very small crayfish. The fish caught the eyes of Mr J. B. Kent (Govt. Westland), who exclaimed. “That’s how I like them! land of Mr J. W. Smith (Nat., Hobson) ,who asked; “Where’s the stout?” Mr Broadfoot asked if the Minister had an idea how old that crayfish was. “If they are going to take crayfish of this size, then what hope is there of ever conserving supplies,’he asked. Mr Hackett: “I don't like to see ■ these things. By law, they are supposed to throw everything back up to nine inches in length.' I might also say that it is a criminal offence to be in possession of one not nine inches long!” This provoked loud Government and Opposition laughter. Mr A. G. Osborne (Govt. Onehunga, asked the Senior Opposition Whip: "Is your’s nine inches long,” Mr Broadfoot stood up and displayed his crayfish to members. Stretched to the full length and from the tip of its feelers to the end of its tail, it might have measured nine inches. The fish was purchased in one of the city’s fish shops. Mr Hackett, elaborating on his earlier reply, went on to say that a scientific party from Norway would come to New Zealand next year, and it was hoped that its investigations would help New Zealand conserve its fish resources. The vote for the Marine Department. was passed, and the House rose for tea at. 5.30.