N.Z. Accused Of Neglecting Fish Industry

Chronicle (Levin), 19 February 1949, Page 6

N.Z. Accused Of Neglecting Fish Industry

CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 18. N.Z. Fisheries present a picture that is unfortunate at a time when - an actual and potential food shortage tnreatens the welfare of so many peopies," said Professor L. R. Richardson, Victoria University College, when addressing zoologists and oeeanogra'pners at the Science . Congress to-day. "In spite of oui oceanic position, this country neither suppiies ltself adequately with marine products nor contributes sufficiently to world markets. The fisheries of this area have h'eep, left for 100 years in the hands of a commntiity which is independent of the sea, seeks its living from the land and finds its international tra'de in produce from the land." J ' ' * Uutil receiltly fresh sea food1 suppiies wei'e developed ess'entially fbr luarkeis round the ports. - Little at'tention Avas given to supplying remote districts. Tiie general pattern was more that of medtaeval coastal fishery than of a modern economic industry. Professor Richardson said: "Acute timidity is hinderiug our fisheries deveJopmeiit. Fear of the exploitation and destruction of our uiarine resources is largely based on a faulty appreciatiou of the extent and fertility of our seas (N.ZPs general coastline was double that ' of the United Htates Pacific coast.-) " He urged the creation of efficient small fishing ports around the coasts, concentration on. supplying smoked, dried and canned products. There were remarkable opportunities to increase the crayfish eatch and take> a wider range of other fish. The commercially desirable prawn was present in considerable quantities and prawn fishery should be developed and imports .abandpned. By coniparison the shell fish industry was active but an immense expansion was possible. " We have in this country an example I of • economic waste in the international I sense. The New Zealauder is actually j aware of liis country 's position as the , source of dairy goods, meat and wooi for the people of the world but lie. has no vision of a national respohsibiiity with regaril to the sea."

Protessor Richardson said there was a liampering lack of'a vigorous national policy for the proper utilisation of marine resources which could be countered only by education. At this time we niight well consider that the estab lishment of an international agency niight provide the ready and proper' de' velopment of our fisherieS in terms oi the needs of peopies of the wrorld.