CLOSING OYSTER BEDS

Southland Times, Issue 23460, 17 March 1938, Page 4

CLOSING OYSTER BEDS

Change To Fresh Areas Favoured OPINION OF BLUFF DREDGER AMPLE SUPPLIES IN STRAIT The closing of the four oyster beds in Foveaux Strait at present extensively dredged was favoured by a prominent Bluff oysterman in an interview with The Southland Times yesterday. He said he would prefer this to the closing of one bed only as recommended in the report of the Sea Fisheries Investigation Committee presented on Wednesday to Parliament. The oysterman agreed that a decline in the number of full-size oysters was noticeable in what were now regarded as the main beds and he expressed the opinion that these beds should be closed for about three years to recover from the severe depletion which had occurred in recent seasons. “Eight firms operating 11 vessels have, been dredging this area for several years and have been taking more than 70,000 sacks of oysters a year,” he said. “In view of this, it is not surprising that the numbers available are falling. In my own opinion there are still plenty of oysters to be had on the extensive beds in the strait, but because the size is bigger in the four areas now chiefly dredged the oystermen naturally keep to those beds. Competition in the trade is very keen and the public shows a decided preference for the bigger oysters so that the other great beds which are teeming with smaller oysters are neglected.”

It was thought probable that the committee had in'mind the closing of the east bed for a period, but the oysterman considered that it would be more satisfactory to close the present four main beds. A roughly square area might be defined from Dog Island to Bird Island, to Tupis Island, to the north of Ruapuke, and fishing in this area prohibited for a period of three years. This would probably result, in the oysters in the east, Dog Island, Bird Island and Ruapuke. beds establishing themselves again. In the meantime, there was an ample field to be tapped, for oysters were tc be found in tremendous numbers for the whole width and length of the strait, covering a huge area. The size of the oysters in other parts of the strait was not so big, but good catches of reasonably fair size could be secured at almost any part of the area. Some oystermen held the opinion that the size of oysters in the beds now operated had increased largely because they were heavily fished and consequently had a greater supply of food than when they were more numerous. It was possible that with careful fishing other beds equally as good could be developed. Without question, the public could be assured of ample supplies of oysters of good quality, if slightly smaller, if the four beds were, closed and he claimed that the results would be more effective than if only one bed was closed.

An Invercargill fish' merchant said he would welcome the curtailing of the season by about a month as was suggested by the committee. During February the weather in northern centres was really too hot for oysters to be popular and was often too warm in Southland. This presented difficulties to the merchant who had to send forward supplies to northern centres to suit a fluctuating demand and had to maintain fresh supplies whatever were the requirements of his customers. The season was too long at present and the first month might well be deleted.