USE OF SEINE NETS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3115, 6 May 1942, Page 7

USE OF SEINE NETS

KILLING OFF THE FISH

MR J. THORN M.P’s. VIEW

ADDRESS TO COUNCIL MEETING

The question of the use of seine net fishing in the Hauraki Gulf and the possible result to the stock of fish for the future was

raised at the monthly meeting of the Coromandel County Council when Mr J. Thorn, M.P. for Thames attended and explained the view taken by the Fisheries Investigation Committee on the subject.

The county chairman, Mr C. C. Rae stated that the Coromandel-Colville Progressive Association was perturbed over the matter and had written to the committee on the subject.

Mr Thorn stated that as chairman of the Fisheries Investigation Committee, he knew that representations had been made in regard to the limit lines. It was generally agreed that the seine nets operating from Auckland would catch fish quicker than

the sea stock could -be replaced and that unless the fishing with these nets was restricted, the industry would come to an -end, because there would be no fish left.

The penalty, if caught poaching was drastic, even the confiscation of the boat. The boundaries had already been pushed out further than they used to be, and the regulations provided that boats of certain length etc., should not operate in certain districts.

None of the advisory committee had any time for seine rfets, went on Mr Thorn, because they realise that if allowed without drastic cuts and limits there would soon be no fishinr - industry in New Zealand. Further, New Zealand, being of volcanic origin, the sea bottom shelvedaway very quickly making the area in which fish could ■be profitably caught relatively small as compared with many other countries and this fact means that the boats had to come further inshore than would be necessary under other conditions. The west coast limited the fishing there on account of the bars. Now that a considerable' portion of the coast had been mined it was hard to strike a balance wherein the fishermen could make a living while not encroaching upon the sea stock too far.

He suggested that the letter be forwarded to him and he would do whatever was .possible in the matter.