THE HARVEST OF THE SEA.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8417, 17 January 1899, Page 4

THE HARVEST OF THE SEA.

* A letter has been received in Napier from Mr G. L. Alward, who represents one of the largest fishery undertakings in the world, in which, after referring to the fact that his interest in New Zealand fisheries had been aroused after a visit from Mr Ayson (who was deputed by the Government to make enquiries in England and elsewhere respecting the fishing industry), the writer goes on to say : — The new steam fishing vessel that we fitted out for the Cape Government two years ago has proved a wonderful success, beyond everyone's expectation. The captain has returned Home. The vessel is at the Cape catching more fish than they can consume, and the extent of the trawling ground is very great. No doubt around the shores of Australia plenty of trawling grounds can be found. It has been the experience in Europe wherever we find suitable ground to trawl over that there is sure to be fish at some lime of the year. If the people in the colonies knew what a source of wealth the harvest of the sea produces to a. nation they would try to develop their sea fisheries. The dee]) sea fisheries of England may he said to have commenced during the present century. The value of the fish landed in England last year was £8,000,000, being 700,000 tons. The steam fishing vessels commenced in 1882, and up to this ypar about 1000 steam fishing vessels have been built, valued at £5,000,000. The value of a large fishing population to a nation such as England cannot be over-estimated. Our fishermen would be sufficient to man half our navy and make the smartest of sailors. Our fisheries form an important item in our food supply. The development of our sea fisheries has been immensely assisted by the extension of railway systems. Every town and village in England can have its daily supply of fresh fish, and the railway companies have in many cases assisted directly and indirectly in the establishment of new fishing ports and companies. The railways of the United Kingdom draw a revenue of at least £1,500,000 annually for the carriage of fish. During the last twenty years most of the European nations have been making great efforts to develop their sea fisheries, and since the introduction of steam trawling with the otter net in England our fishermen have been in great request to assist in instructing our neighboring fishermen to establish steam trawling. If the commercial men and the Governments of the colonies desire to develop their resources they should turn their attention to sea fisheries. There is nothing that develops the mercantile powers of a nation like a large fishing population. It is the cradle of our seamen.