Chathams Crayfish Catch Forecast

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31107, 9 July 1966, Page 1

Chathams Crayfish Catch Forecast

(From Our Parliamentary Reporter)

WELLINGTON, July 8.

About 500 tons of crayfish, valued at about £500,000 might be caught off the Chatham Islands this year, the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) told Parliament today.

Mr H. E. L. Pickering (Govt., Rangiora) drew Mr Scott’s attention to a press report that a Bluff fisherman chartered a Douglas DC3 to bring two fishermen home from the Chathams.

Mr Pickering asked if crayfishing was remunerative enough to warrant such expense, and if the country could expect a rapid development of the industry near the Chathams.

Crayfish had been known to exist near the Chathams for some time, Mr Scott said. “The successful catches obtained .recently have stimulated ai rush to exploit this stock,” he said. “Crayfishing is very remunerative, particularly when heavy catches can be expected from accumulated stocks. The extent of the stocks at the Chathams is not known, but the Marine Department has two officers assessing the situation.”

A rapid development of the industry near the Chatham Islands could be expected, but, based on experience in South Westland, catches at the highest level could be expected for only a limited period.