COUNTRY'S FISH SUPPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17253, 1 September 1919, Page 9

COUNTRY'S FISH SUPPLY

SUGGESTIONS OF COMMITTEE.

SCIENTIFIC DATA NECESSARY.

AUCKLAND'S "DOGG!

BANK."

" I agree that the only -way to provide a regular and adequate supply of fish is by trawling," said Mr. G. Stanford, secretary to Sanford, Limited, when discussing the suggestions made by the Industries Committee for the development of the fishing industry. Mr. Sanford said his company hoped to have a modern trawler from, England early next year, and with such a vessel operating the supply of fish should be materially increased. It was also anticipated that within a few weeks the company would have a pure seine net in operation, for the -purpose of catching surface fish. The suggestion that "a. systematic, scientific, and practical survey of fishing grounds be undertaken without delay, and that the Government purchase a properly-constructed and equipped vessel for this wurk," was a step in the right! j direction, said Mr. Sanford, as the evidence given before the recent Fish Com- ! mission was certainly lacking with regard I to the nature and extent of the trawling I grounds. He mentioned that about ten years ago the Nora Niven was chartered ! by the-Government for this work, but the ' survey was 30 < hurried that little or no information of importance was obtained, although the experiment cost £10,000. If ! the Government intended to carry out the I suggestion of the committee it would be necessary to find out the exact extent of the trawling grounds and endeavour to find new fishing banks, which he believed lay off the New Zealand coasts, similar to the Dogger Bank in the North Sea. I In this connection he mentioned that 80 I per cent, of Great Britain's fish supply j came from trawlers operating on the I Dogger Bank. j Continuing, Mr. Sanford said that the results of the bottoms, depths, quantity and variety of fish taken on given areas should all be recorded on a specially-pre-pared fish chart, as had been done in Canadian waters by Professor Prince. This would enable the industry to be developed to its utmost, and thus make fish cheap and within reach of all. Referring to the recommendation that Government assistance be given to encourage the canning, curing and commercial preparation of fish food, and that encouragement be given to the manufacture of fish manure, Mr. Sanford said that his company was about to erect a large building in Auckland, where the manufacture of fish jelly, soups, etc., would be undertaken on a large scale, with the object of providing the public with fish food in forms not previously available. The manufacture of fish manure would also be carried on immediately the necessary maj chiaery could be secured.