SEINING IN THE GULF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18565, 24 November 1923, Page 12

SEINING IN THE GULF.

MINISTER'S INSPECTION.

SEQUEL TO ; OBJECTIONS.

QUESTION OF ITS ' EFFECTS.

In boisterous weather the steam fishing vessel Countess, owned by Sanfords, Limited, put off . from Albert Wharf shortly after 8 o'clock yesterday morning carrying the ; Minister for Marin®, the Hon. G. J. Anderson, and. others directly concerned in the fishing industry, to ( witness a demonstration of Danish seine-net fishing. Originally it had been intended that when the seine-net had been hauled the visitors in the Countess were to bo transhipped to one of Sanford's steam trawlers for a further demonstration, but the windy weather prevented.

This particular cruise arose out of the controversy whether the use of the seinenet was detrimental to the general fishing industry. Some time ago petitions were received by the Minister from . the Thames Fishermen's Unionj representing line fishermen, protesting against the use of the seine-net, within certain limits of Hauraki Gulf. The Thames fishermen contended that the use of the seine resulted in the taking of immature fish, the spoiling of the sea bottom in regard to the! supply of food for fish, and the destruction of fish spawn. The Minister therefore decided to make a personal investigation. Accompanying Mr. Anderson were his private secretary, Mr. F. M Sherwood, and the newly-appointed secretary to the Marine Department, Mr. G. C. Godfrey. Others on board were Mr. T. W. Rhodes, M.P., for Thames, the chief inspector of fisheries, Mr. L. F. Avson, the inspector of fisheries at Russell, Mr. F. P. Flynn, and representatives of the Thames Fishermen's Union. On behalf of the owners of the Countess Mr. W. R. Twigg and Mr. Gilbert Sanford were present.

Hauls of Schnapper. After a two hours' run, when in the main channel between Howick and Waiheke, the vessel dropped anchor and the seine-net was cast, about two miles from the Waiheke coast. It was blowing stiffly from the north, and there was a roughish sea, and generally speaking it was far from a propitious 'day for a good catch. . *

The seme-net does not begin to gather in the fish until it is about 600 fathoms from the ship, and as the steam -winch hauls in the net ropes, continues its work until it is about 200 fathoms away, the mouth of the net being then closed up. As the winch draws up the net the two ropos pass to the coiling mechanism, which is operated from the winch by a and the ropes are evenly coiled away on deck. The first haul, yielded some ten baskets of fish, mostly schnapper, with a few trevallis, John Dories, stingaree3, a dog fish, and some mussels. The second cast brought seven baskets of fish, again mostly schnapper but this time a shark about five feet long was hauled in. The shark, like the stringareas, was promptly dumped'-over the rail. The catch was not a good one, but having regard to the weather was deemed to be as good as could be expected. The net used had a 4in. mesh, and it was noted that the fish on deck contained no small or immature specimens.

Functions of the Minister. Luncheon was served in the cabin of the Countess. The health of the Minister was proposed by Mr. J. H. Bradney. Mr. Anderson, in responding, aajcf his task was to see fair-play for all parties, including the public. There was no man who knew more about fishing ,in New Zealand than Mr. Ayson, and in coming to a decision they would be largely guided , by what he said. Mr. Sanford said they had decided to give the seine-net a trial after he had made inquiries in England two years ago. ' Using the seine, the Countess, they found, made good catches, and at a cost cheaper than the .trawlers. .. Seining was only in its infancy, and his view was that all the boats in a very short time would be adapted to it. Seining did no harm ,to the - sea bottom, and as to the suggestion that it caught immature fish, it was a question of increasing the size of the , mesh of the nets. . ' ..v: ; ; v.-.-

Mr. Rhodes said he knew the effect the trawlers had had on the fishing in the Gulf. He agreed that the Dominion should be exporting and not importing fish. The Thames fishermen had shown sufficient enterprise to establish shops in various towns. He contended that trawling had not reduced the cost of. fish to the consumer.

The visitors then boarded a launch,, and after a somewhat rough passage arrived at the launch steps about 4 o'clock.