FISHING INDUSTRY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 14 April 1914, Page 1

FISHING INDUSTRY

WHAT CANADA HAS DONE. PROSPECTS IN NEW ZEALAND. Recognising that the fishing industry in New Zealand offers great possibilities, the Government invited Professor Edward Prince (Canadian Commissioner of Fisheries) to visit this country and roport on the prospects of the inland and coastal fisheries. Professor Prince arrived in Wellington on Saturday, and in the course of an interview with a "Post' * reporter furnished some-' interesting information regarding the fishing industry of Canada. In the great sister Dominion, the fisheries have' been systematically exploited, with the result that an .industry has been established, the value of which is between £6,000,000 and £7,000,000 per annum, whereas the exportations in 1912 from New Zealand, completely seagirt as it is, were valued at only £55,463, while the value of the preserved fish imported was £108,105. A GREAT SOURCE OF REVENUE. According to Professor Prince, tho Canadian marine fisheries occupy almost first place in the fisheries of the world, especially for such species as cod, halibut, and salmon, and the fresh-water fisheries also formed a very valuable asset to the country. In the large inland eeas, such as Lake Winnipeg, fishing is carried on .through the winter months by means of nets placed underneath the ice, and large quantities of fish are taken out. As indicating tho great strides the industry has made, Professor Prince states that the value of the industry to-day is six times aa great as ifc was forty years ago, this happy result being due to tnc wise protective* measures, the prudent administration of the fishery laws, and the cxtonsivo fish culture that has been carried on. Tho Fisheries Act, which came into existence in 1867, is still in force, and has done a great deal to prevent, wasteful destruction, and whereas in the '-ear mentioned 1 there were only three fish hatcheries ill the Dominion/there are now forty-five. The Professor states that Canada, owing to its proximity to the United States, occupies a somewhat peculiar position, some of the great lakes and fishing areas being shared by the two countries,, all imaginary line "being drawn from ocean to ocean"for the purpose. Canada's wise policy of preservation has to some extent been nullified by the depredations ofUnited States fishermen, who are not controlled by Canada, and so serious'bocame the position that in 1908 'ConinuV sioners were appointed, and a series of nearly 70 fishery laws was drawn up. The treatv, however, was not yet recognised by* the United States, although Canada 'fulfilled her portion about fivo vears ago. <P=^... " WINNIN<S*ftt?LACE FOR NEW ZEALAND FISH.

As far as the situation in New Zealand 1 is concerned Professor Prince expressew the opinion that it is less complicated than the one that has arisen in Canada, as no foreign neighbour shares thia country's fishing grounds. The only difficulty that appears to exist is that some of the most plentiful and important fishes in New Zealand waters are not known in other parts of the world. When such delicate fish as the.blue cod and schnapper are introduced into the principal overseas markets they will rapidlv win an important place. Tho domestic demand, of course, will require to be fostered, and steps will have to bo taken to facilitate transportation and the handling of the catches. New Zea N " land should certainly develop a largo exnort trade in fish, as it would become » very profitable one. This is borne out by the fact thai shipments of halibut from Vancouver to Grimsby via Capo Horn sold at a profit, in spito of tho ifact that Grimsby is the headquarters of one of the greatest halibut fisheries ini the world. New "Zealand' could also open up a trade with Fiji and the other islands of the Pacific, for it appears that the natives are more inclined to fish prepared in the white such as canned fish, than to utilse tho fish in their own waters.