NEW ZEALAND FISHERIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22427, 25 May 1936, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND FISHERIES

The concern expressed by the Minister of Marine as to the future of New Zealand's sea fisheries has a familiar sound. In Auckland, at least, the subject is a perennial one as well it may be when it is remembered that in the province over 800 men are wholly dependent on the industry, while another 240 are engaged in it as part-time workers. The value of the catch on the latest figures amounted to £IIB,OOO for the province and £333,000 for the Dominion. There is no need to emphasise the importance of the industry in the national economy. The surprising thing is the comparative indifference with which it has been regarded officially. Perhaps Mr. Fraser may improve the administration, although his initial endeavour should be to collect accurate data on which to work. Among practical men there are wide differences of opinion, as is shqwn by the controversy that arises periodically over conditions and remedies in the Hauraki Gulf. The need for a thorough investigation in this marine area was stressed in a report prepared ten years ago by the Auckland Acclimatisation Society. Yet to-day in the Gulf and on every Dominion fishing ground the stay to effective action is still the lack of knowledge. The Chief Inspector of Fisheries, Mr. A. E. Hefford, mentioned this handicap in his last report. The data he has to work on, besides being incomplete, cannot be considered accurate owing to defects of the system under which the information is collected. Mr. Fraser talks of increasing the number of inspectors and the need for "experimental regulation." It would seem better, however, to begin by getting the facts in order. Accurate data should be the basis of experiment; otherwise experiment may prove useless and conclusions based on it be misleading. In Mr. Fraser's words, a lot of scientific work has to be undertaken before those concerned can get the right perspective. Mr. Hefford's hand should be strengthened in that primary work of research so that he can proceed from a true starting point.