FISH SHORTAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 187, 17 July 1940, Page 8

FISH SHORTAGE

DUE TO DIVERSION OF TRAWLERS . J RESTRICTIONS UPON ALIENS The Avar lias caused a shortage of fish throughout! the Dominion, particularly in Wellington. This was caused by the diversion of trawlers from fishing lo mine sweeping and other Avar purposes, and by the restrictioins placed upon the activH tics of aliens. Nearly,7o per cent of Wellington's lish supply was provided by Cook Strait trawlers, which are no longer operating. A further 27 per cent was taken by long line and the remainder by set nets and the seine principle, used for drawing the beaches. The principal exponents of these latter methods wei'e Italians 'of the Island Bay fishery colony,, who are now fishing under supervision and in conformity with certain restrictions that arc placed upon them* As a result the quantities of fish being landed in port have dwindled enormously. Trawler supplies being landed in port, which had hitherto continued intermittently, have recently ceased altogether, and supplies available are therefore reduced to fish taken by launch fishermen, and even their production is affected to some extent, the majority being Italians* Another serious aspect is tne position at the Chatham Islands, the vessel formerly engaged in the trans fer of fish from the very considerable blue cod fisheries there having been diverted to other purposes, and there being no other properly equipped ship on hand to take her place. The fishery is therefore, completely cut off.