THE FISHING INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18192, 11 September 1922, Page 9

THE FISHING INDUSTRY

CONDITIONS IN BRITAIN.

FOREIGN COMPETITION.

COAL STRIKE DELAYS TRAWLERS.

Interesting information regarding activities in the fishing industry in Britain and in Canada were supplied by Mr. Gilbert Sanford, managing director of Sanfords, Ltd.. on Saturday.

The announcement that the Scottish Fisheries Board, with the co-operation of the Air Ministry, was to carry out a series* of herring "spotting" experiments this summer off the East Coast of Scotland had created aome mild excitement among fishermen and in fish trade circles generally. From a scientific point of view, it was stated to be probably quite possible, given favourable conditions, to locate shoals of herring by means of seaplanes. During the war, an air pilot, flying at the right altitude, could dcteei the movements of an enemy submarine under the water. Attempts were now being matie to apply the same' principle to the location of shoals of fish, and in France, as well as in .Newfoundland; it was stated, fairly satisfactory results had been obtained.

Freights on the German railways for smoked and tinned fish were, according to complaints made by the trade, from 50 to 70 times dearer to-day than before the war, the nominal rise being mainly due to the depreciation of the German currency. Considerable attention was being directed in Canada to the great possibilities of the fish by-products industry. Therewas reported to be an unlimited supply of raw material for manufacturing purposes, good transportation facilities, close proximity to markets and a steady demand. Tho lack of exploitation and capital had retarded the industry to some extent, but with business conditi >ns assuming a more normal aspect there should be a steady expansion. The effect of the coalmincrs' strike in Britain was reported as having had a very serious effect on the fishing industrv. The Port of Hull Annual for 1922, in referring to this, stated that the total landings of wet fish showed a decrease of 65,530 Wis, a decline of about 20 per cent, in quantity, and about 23 per cent, in value. This very serious fallingoff was, it was stated, largely due to the coalminers' strike, which delayed the British trawlers, and at the same lime gave the Danes, Dutch, and even tho Germans, the chance of getting a footing in the British markets.

Having thus got a footing, they were now busily organising means of increasing their already large imports into Britain by services'of carrying steamers, and white the British vessels were struggling to meet expenses, the foreigners were able, by means of subsidies and grants, and by tho abnormally low rate of exchange. to make substantial profits. Thus the large quantities of foreign-caught fish imported had had a very detrimental effect on the earning of British vessels. The price of bunker coal had fallen, but it was still twice as much as in prewar times, while tho cost of many other things was still abnormally high. Mr. Sanford remarked that, as already pointed out in the Ht:hai.d, the price of fish in Auckland compared more than favourably with that in other parts of the world. The fishing industry was capable of great development in Auckland. The phase known as long line fishing, would shortly be put into operation off the Whangarei coast, near the Hen and Chickens group, the necessary gear being now on the way here.