FISHING INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22404, 28 April 1936, Page 12

FISHING INDUSTRY

POSITION AT THAMES MEN GOING ON RELIEF PAY DISCUSSION AT CONFERENCE GOVERNMENT AID TO BE ASKED [by telegraph—own correspondent] THAMES, Monday "The increasing number of fishermen registering for relief is having a very serious effect on the fishing industry in Thames, and, realising that the position is steadily becoming worse, I have called you together so that representatives of the fish merchants and the fishermen can discuss the matter," said the Borough Commissioner, Mr. C. L. Grange, addressing reprpsentatives of the four fishing companies working at Thames, and fishermen representative of the workers. The Mayor, Mr. S. Ensor, who was representing one company, said there were quite a number of men who had definitely left the industry and registered on relief, which they made a major source of income. He pointed out that for the last two years men had earned only 30s a week, while relief pay wfs as high as £2 and £2 ss. Some men had preferred to stick to the fishing, but could not make a living. Small Supplies and Low Prices This was due to the scarcity of fish, of which for the past two years the men had not been able to obtain a regular supply, and also due to the low prices offering. Four years ago 2d per lb. could be obtained for schnapper, but wheu "pirating" started the price went lower, and matters became so bad that the merchants were afraid to make contracts. The flounder produced this year showed a 50 per cent drop on the previous year. The men were working harder than ever, yet could not make a good return. Mr. A. Daddrell thought it would be wise to ask for a .Royal Commission. There were four or five boats trawling consistently within forbidden limits. Mr. Ensor considered the Government should be asked to find the cause of the scarcity. " Area Worked Out " Mr. J. Kernick, representing another company, said the shortage had been abnormal during the last few weeks, and they did not know if the position would improve. Some of the men were not earning £1 a week. Mr. R. Huxley, a fisherman, said the Firth of Thames had been a gold mine to the industry, but the Marine Department would not listen to complaints, and in consequence it was worked out. The cause was not hard to seek. There were four companies in Thames competing against one another. They had to recognise that fish were being produced more cheaply in other centres. He thought that the companies should get together. Mr. Ensor said the shortage of flounder was due to heavy fishing in the school season, and the Government should be urged to make an investigation. Minimum Price Urged Some of those present urged that the Government should be asked to impose a minimum price, say, 2d for schnapper and 4d for flounder. The allegation was made that the Government had allowed trawling by seine boats to encroach on Thames areas. It was stated that certain grounds had been closed for a month and later for two months, and the first boat on the ground had obtained a good haul, leaving nothing for the rest. Seine fishing and trawling was responsible for the marked decrease, especially at the narrow neck of the Firth. Mr. Grange said it had been found that fishermen were not prepared to give evidence against poachers. It was in the pubkc interest that something should be done, said Mr. Ensor, or else the price of fish would rapidly rise. He instanced the rise in flounder from 3d to Is per lb. in the last few years. It was finally resolved that two representatives, one from the companies and one from the men, should visit "Wellington and, through Mr. J. Thorn, M.P., approach the Minister with their suggestions. SHORTAGE AT WHANGAREI . SEINE-FISHERMEN BLAMED REPORT TO HARBOUR BOARD [from our own correspondent] WHANGAREI, Monday The future of the fishing industry in Wliangarei waters was discussed at a meeting of the Whangarei Harbour Board when the engineer, Mr. W. M. Fraser, who had been previously instructed, submitted a report. Mr. Fraser said that the number of Whangarei sea-fishing boats had decreased from 16 in 1933 to 11 in 1935, and he was informed that of the seven boats left in the harbour this year five of the owners were "on the rocks," as the fishermen termed it, and only two were regularly going outside the heads, and these were expriencing the greatest difficulty and had to be out night and day to make both ends meet. He could confidently support the local lino fishermen in their contention that the disappearance of the fish from the harbours and the adjacent fishing grounds could be attributed to the operations in local waters of the powernet boats running out of Auckland. Before the coming of the power-drawn nets that area of the sea known as Bream Bay was the source at all times of the year of a regular supply of fish for the hand-lino or long-line fisherman, but now not only had the fish gone from this area but their breeding and feeding grounds appeared to have been destroyed. The frequent dragging of heavy nets over the beds had killed most of the shell-fish, and the beds of kelp and other sea plants had been torn up. The fishery of Bream Bay could only be restored to its natural and former condition by the absolute prohibition of trawling or seine netting in that area, and the reservinc of this ground for the needs of the inhabitants of Whangarei district and their line fishermen was surely justified. The chairman, Mr. J. A. Finlavson. said seine net boats were doing a lot t Tho hoard should support the Chamber of Commerce in its recent resolution urging the Marine Department to prohibit this class of fishing near Whangarei. It was decided to send a copy of the report to the Minister of Marine, and to Mr. J. G. Barclay. M.P.