FISH SCARCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20512, 2 September 1936, Page 6

FISH SCARCE

TIMARU FLEET IDLE OTHER CENTRES AFFECTED The 40-hour week came into force in many industries yesterday, but there are many workers in one industry who will have no difficulty, for a time at all events, in complying with the regulations. They are the fishermen. For more than a week now practically the whole of the Timaru fishing fleet has been tied up, as there has been absolutely nothing doing. An odd boat has ventured out, but has not caught enough fish to pay the cost of the trip. The lack of fresh fish has given rise to numerous complaints, and in fairness to the fishermen, a representative of “The Timaru Herald” yesterday made inquiries to ascertain the true position. It appears that the scarcity of fish, not only in Timaru, but in other parts of the Dominion, is more pronounced at present than it has been at this period of the year, for a long time. The Timaru fleet has been idle for more than a week, and with the heavy sea that has been running along the coast for some days, the indications are that the boats will not oe able to venture out for a few days yet. A Timaru fisherman stated yesterday that he had received advice from Bluff that 35 boats wept out on two days last week, and they averaged five cases of blue cod each on each day. He also stated that Wellington was sending two tons of frozen fish to the Auckland market daily, and he understood that the Christchurch market was empty. Asked the reason for the great scarcity, the fisherman stated that the fish were spawning at present, and were always scarce at this time of the year. Added to that was the bad weather, which had been general along the coast, thus preventing the boats from going out. Until conditions improved, the public would have to take chilled fish.