OUR FISHERIES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1841, 29 August 1913, Page 4

OUR FISHERIES.

SEPARATE DIVISION URGED. SPECIAL STEAMER REQUIRED A voluminous report by Mr. L, F. , Ayson (Chief Inspector of Fisheries) 011 1 tho fisheries of the Dominion was laid i on the table of the Houso of Representatives yesterday. In. a covering let- J ter to the Minister for Marine, Mr. ; Ayson states that he has obtainod valuable information from a number of countries regarding tho organisation and de- 1 velopment of nshorics. 11c asks to be given an opportunity to develop tho iisli- ! erics, and states that, with a free hand ■ and the necessary amount of money, 110 will' undertake in a very short time to have tlio fisheries of tho Dominion placed on a better looting than any others in Australasia. Dealing with the present condition of the fisheries, Mr. Ayson states that tho total number of vessels licensed to fish in 1912 was 1179, and the number of 111011 employed in tho industry was about ICUO. The total quantity of fish brought in and marketed is not known, but the value of fish, oysters, and fishproducts exported in 1912' was as follows :—. £ Fish of all kinds 33,746 Oysters 2,984 Whalebone 3,196 Whale-oil 2,052 Fish —cured, canned, or otherwise preserved 13,485 Total 55,463 The total value of dried, salted, and cured fish' imported in 1912 was £108,105. Prospecting the Waters. After emphasising the increasing value of fish supplies, in view of the increasing population in towns and cities, and tho rising prico of food products,' Mr. Ayson recommends that the fisheries bo taken in hand "vigorously, scientifically and practically." To that end ho makes the following recommendations :— (1) That the fisheries of this Dominion (sea and fresh wator) bo administered by a Department to bo called tho Fisheries Department. (At present the.fisheries are controlled by the Marino Department.) (2) That the coastal waters out to 100 fathoms bo scientifically prospected, section by section, the Government to purchaso a properly constructed and equipped vessel for this work. (3) That tho Government encourage practical fishormon to engage in fishing by advancing money for the purchase or .suitable boats, and by supplying professional fishermen with benzine and lubri-caling-oil at cost price, plus transport and working expenses. (4) That •in any isolated locality where an extensive and prolific fishery exists, tho Government should erect or assist in tho erection and maintenance of a fish freezing and oil and fish fertiliser manufacturing plant. (5), That a bonus bo given for tho manufacture of fish-fertiliser of a standand quality, and for the production of fish-oils other than whale-oil.' (6) That, a 1 tonus be given for the destruction of sharks,, dog-fish, and other enemies of the market fish in tho' regular fishing grounds* Transport Facilities. ' .(7) That every • possible.' facility bo given by tho Government for the conveyance of fresh fish by the most suitable trains from the fishing ports to the principal markets and inland. (8) That proper system of collecting fishery statistics.be adopted. (9) That fishermen be encouraged and assisted to use the most up-to-date methods of catching fish (10) That the Government persevere with tho introduction of Atlantic salmon, and also other useful fresh-water and sea fish. (11) That a biological examination of our rivers and lakes be made by enoouraging and assisting professors and students from tho Universities to undertake a section each vocation, in order to acquire a knowledge of tlio biological conditions, with a view to tho introduction of other species of fish or insects if considered advisable. Mr. Ayson suggests that to begin with, the staff of the pro]>osod Department might bo a secretary or director, who would also l;e chief inspector, a clerk, and a typist. Three permanent assistant-inspectors would be required for tho North Island, and threo for the South Island. Tho services of police officers, and paid as at present, could bo made uso of at certain places 1 if necessary. A Fisheries Steamer. A suitablo fisheries steamer, Mr. Ayson states, would be about 160 feet long, beam in proportion, and of deep draught. It should bo fitted with a refrigerator, insulated chambers for storing market fish,' istorage-room for specimens, etc., laboratory room, and suitablo accommodation for the scientific director and officer in charge of tho expedition, and should bo equipped for trawling, long-lining, etc., and all the necessary outfit for exploration work. Mr. Ayson says that he does not think it possible to "pick up a suitable vessel in this country, as all the small steamers are of too light draught. A suitablo I vessel should bo built on tho lines of ; tho largest trawlers now in use in Eng- - land and Scotland. To build a vessel ■ of tho dimensions stated, would probably cost, Mr. Ayson 1 states, about k £12,000, but lie thinks that a suitablo r vessel might bo obtained second-hand in 1 England, for less than that amount.