CONSERVING FISH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 139, 25 May 1936, Page 8

CONSERVING FISH.

Dangerous Depletion In New Zealand Waters. HON. P., FRASER’S VIEWS. Press Association —Copyright. Wellington, May 24. The importance of conserving (he fish supply in New Zealand waters was emnhasised by the Minister of Marine, the Hon. P, Fraser, in an interview yesterday. The Minister also pointed out that there was room for improvement in the marketing r" fish.

A great deal of scientific work had to i be undertaken before those concerned with the depletion of the fish supply could get the right perspective on the question .said the Minister. There was i no doubt that the seine net was an advance on the old methods of catching fish, but ho could not shut his eyes to the fact that such netting undoubtedly affected the future supply of fish. The same remarks applied to trawlers, which wore excluded from some bavs, and'the problem was -how to keep the balance fairly between the seine net. the fishermen, line and the set net fishermen. and trawlers. Vita! interests of livelihood were associated with every section of the fishing industry, moreover, and a great deal of capital had been supk in various branches. “At the back of all these interests--and sometimes they are warring interests —there is the paramount interest of nresent and future generations of New Zealand people in the conservation of these sources of food,” Mr. Fraser said. “Any action that may be taken must have full regard for this important asnect of the question. It must be the basis from which to start, as it has been the starting point adopted by the fishery section of the Marine Department. I am informed that additional inspectors are required to do the work properly. Although some correspondents have claimed that the present- inspectors are not doing their job properly, the bulk of the evidence available shows that the number of inspectors must be increased and that a certain amount of experimental regulation is required.” Commenting on the visits of Australian trawlers to New Zealand waters, the Minister said the position involved the question of territorial waters and whether there was need to extend the present limits. Parliament would be given an opportunity in due course of dealing with the question. The question went farther than organisation and control of the catching of fish. “There is room for improvement in the marketing of fish.” Mr. Fraser added,. “Fishermen arc among the most hard working men in New Zealand, and their occupation is beset with dangers. During rough weather there is a possibility every minute of loss of life in a hazardous occupation. They have to face the rigours of the climate and the other hardships of their calling, and they are entitled to ‘an income that will give them an adequate return for their work and the risk involved.”