FISHING GROUNDS

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 131, 5 June 1919, Page 11

FISHING GROUNDS

THE CLAIMS OP KAIKOURA

MEETING OF FISHERMEN,

Tho Kaikoura. Star, in strongly advocating tlie fuller exploitation of the Kaikoura coast as a fishing ground, remarks that the peculiar conformation of the sea, bottom alt Kaikoura makes it, if properly developed, an alriiost inexhaustible source of fish supplies. Though Kaikoura is handicapped by tho fact of it. being an ocean-swept coast, and there being- no safo refuge for the launches operating, the local fishermen are supplying Christchurch with 70 per cent, of the fish consumed in the city, and fish is oven being sent to Timaru, a fishing port. Properly developed, tho industry in Kaikoura, is capable of supplying half New Zealand with the best specimens of fish, tho port being midway between Wellington a,nd Lyttelton, and being served by the steamers Wakatu and Cygnet, whilst the Kaikoura, Motor Company has been enterprising enough to establish a motor-lorry service from Kaikoura, to Parnassus to connect with the southern railway system daily. NO PP.OTECTION. ! The one great disadvantage under which tho Port of Kaikoura labours is that there is no protection for the launches, and every fisherman here recognises that the first, big easterly sea, may. leave him without boat or gear. During the last two years nine launches' have been wrecked, out of a fleet of ten operating. At present, with _ fleet of sixteen launches operating, and the consequent congestion, a big sea must inevitably play havoc with tho craft. This is looked upon as so certain that those operating elsewhere will not venture to this port with valuable launches, and prefer to dispose of them and acquire small, cheap craft, before attempting to engage in fishing in the waters of Kaikoura. The result is that, alt-bougih. the best men on the coast are coming to the port, or are keen to do so, they can only be equipped with .mall aud inferior boats, and their capacity and radius of working is therefore necessarily much restricted. Further, the local boat harbour is now taxed to its. utmost, and though the craft are at present exposed to grave danger should stormy weather occur, any further fishermen hazarding the making 'of Kaikoura their base will be compelled to ride out the storm on the rough, open sea, a most perilous proposition, and it is not necessary to enlarge on the fate likely to follow^feuch a risky undertaking should tho fishermen attempt it. ENCOURAGING FISHERMEN, "It is common knowledge," states the Star, "that more than a dozen owners of launches, with first-class crews, who are at present lOperating at a loss elsewhere, just earning sustenance wages, are hoping that something niay be done by the State at Kaikoura 4p make it a safe base, in order that they may make this port their permanent quarters. Wore this done, tfi£ capacity' of the grounds would provide not only for these men, but dozens of returned soldiers who are keen to enter the industry, as they realise the opportunities aro good and tlie prospects great, a- matter which the Repatriation Board should be made cognisant of. Tho result of an influx to Kaikoura of such men would mean a huge increa_e in the fish supply and the lowering of the price to the consumer — a fact which needs no comment." Dozens of fishermen are eager to enter into, fishing operations at Kaikoura, and thousands of consumers are demanding fish at a reasonable price. Every variety of lino fish in the New Zealand waters is to be obtained in the waters of Kaikoura—from hapuku and ling to blue cod and butter-fish, .and crayfish abound in limitless quantity. Any visitor to Kaikoura cannot fail to bo impressed with the quantity, quality, and variety of fish brought in by the small boats. "The fishing industry in Kaikoura," adds the Star, "wan-ants the Government assistance asked for, and in the interests of the Dominion consumers, and as a means of providing an opening for repatriated soldiers, we trust Parliamentarians and our local bodies will do all in their power to take steps to develop and foster the fishing industry in Kaikoura." FISHERMEN FOREGATHER, • Over forty fishermen attended a meetat Kaikoura recently to discuss the difficulties those engaged in the industry are suffering, and during the subsequent discussion the industry was dealt with from al) points of view. The most important was that of a safe mooring harbour. The question was not. one of local importance only, but of the utmqst urgency to the whole Dominion. It was held that tlie possibilities of the industry were such that over one hundred launches would work at Kaikoura, and the industry would develop to great proportions. . UNANIMOUS CONCLUSIONS. Fishing boats in other parts'of tlie Do1 minion were idle owing to the fact that fish were unobtainable elsewhere, and dozens of launches wero waiting to go to Kaikoura,, it was stated, where there was an inexhaustible supply of the best specimens of fish in the world, yet they wero debarred from going owing to the fact that there was no safe mooring ground- Those engaged in the industry were prepared to contribute to the Government a payment equivalent to reasonable insurance premiums, according to the value of their craft. Another point emphasised was that the Repatriation Board could. finance soldiers cheaper into this industry than into any other lino of business, and the life was a good ono, and the climate of Kaikoura most suitable for the men. It was decided, to draw up a circular and send a copy to each local body, members of Parliament, and the Ministers with a view to urging on all the ?;rcat possibilities of the industry in Kaikoura, and the urgent need for assistance to render the industry a safe one by providing a safe harbour. •Tho meeting was most enthusiastic and tiuanimous in' the proposals set forth.