THE FISHING INDUSTRY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 January 1926, Page 8

THE FISHING INDUSTRY.

—+ VALUE TO THE DOMINION. HALF A MILLION FOR YEAR. Evidence of the growth of the fishing industry in New Zealand is contained in the latest available" figures as to the quantities of fish landed at the various ports. Unfortunately no exact returns are made in respect to fish supplies, and the only means of making comparisons are the approximations compiled by the Statistics Office. The Fisheries Act, 1908, authorises the Governor-General to call for returns from owners of boats and from fish-curcrs in such form as may be thought fit, but although this statutory provision was made nearly 18 years ago, advantage has not yet been taken of it to enable information to be collected as to the quantity of fish caught annually. The chief inspector of fisheries estimates that, excluding Wellington, 286,289 cwt and 4074 sacks of fish were brought in from the fishing grounds during the 12 months ended March 31, 1925, representing a wholesale value ov £336,164. While some computation has been made for every other fishing pore of any consequence in the Dominion, it was found impossible last year to arrive at an estimate for Wellington. The fishermen themselves do not keep reliable records, and it was found difficult to make even an approximation for the port. The Wellington figures for the previous year were made out, however, and if these arc taken (42,859 cwt, valued at £74,440) the total production may be set down at approximately 330,000 cwt, of a value of about £410,000. In addition, the produce of the oyster fisherie was valued at £23,265, and of the whale fisheries at £15,000. The estimate for the previous year was approximately 305,000 cwt of fish, of a xvholesale value of about-£390,500, while the produce of the oyster fisheries was valued at £25,123, and of the whale fisheries at £11,226. The estimated total value for 1924-1925 was, therefore, £448,268, as compared with £426,549 for the previous year. If the Wellington figures for 1925 were available, they would probably show an increase upon the previous year, for most of the other principal fishing ports have improved upon the 1924 returns. The total value of tb n fish for the Dominion may, therefore, be stated at about £500,000 for the past year. It is estimated that the number of persons employed in the industry is 2921, as against 2805 fbr 1923-1924.