FISHING RESTRICTIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20744, 11 December 1930, Page 18

FISHING RESTRICTIONS.

Sir, —In reply to the demand of fish merchants to remove tho present restrictions on areas in which they are allowed to trawl and use the seine net, I say, what they have sown,, so shall they reap. The fisheries are nearly ruined already, and if there is a shortage, it is duo to the operations of tho trawl and seine boats in the past in the areas now closed. Why are they complaining of shortage ? Not a month ago tho fishermen of Russell had their fish dumped, and tho yachtsmen tell mo there has been considerable dumping in tho Hauraki Gulf. This is only to keep up tho price of fish. I trust that there will be no lifting of limits to either power or seine boats. Line and net men do no damage, and for the rest, let them go further afield. They have built large boats and are still building boats capable of going to sea. All advanced countries have severe restrictions against power boats; Denmark bigger areas closed than ours. If there is no salo for fish, let thern bring down the price of fish and study the latest methods of bringing fish to market so that it is fresh, and not, as it is so often, three weeks on the freezer. Ruby G. Watson.