FISH SUPPLY.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1918, Page 3

FISH SUPPLY.

‘■The Unutilised Sources of Wealth . in the New Zealand Seas,” is the sub- > ject of an interesting article in the “Journal of Science and Technology,” : by the Hon. George Thompson, M.L.C. ; E.L.C. The writer states: “When we . turn to the vast unutilised resources of j the seas which surround this country, with their five thousand miles of coast line and their teeming life we find that almost nothing has been done to . develop these, and absolutely nothing j to educate the men who have tried to do so. The fish supply in the sea, is enormous; the fish supply which finds its way to the population is very small, utterly inadequate to meet the demand, and most irregular.” Mr Thompson suggests that the fishing industry should receive from the Railway Department the assistance that the i milgrowing and agricultural industries have obtained, and contends that it has yet to get a due meed of encouragement from the Government. It is pointed out that in 1916, New Zealand imported fish t° the value of £92,821, and exported £33,550 worth, mostly to Australia. Tlio article refers to the prejudice against eating the elephant fish, of which there are enormous quantities in the New Zealand seas. The flesh is stated to be white and palatable, and if the fish were filleted should sell readily. More than one species of dog fish it is also claimed would make good food. Eels also are seldom seen on sale jn shops although excellent food. W ith ; regard to the whale feed of which shoais j of great size nre found on the coasts n. ! the South, the article suggests tins • should have a value for either manure •or oil. The importance of producing phosphatic manures is also referred to and it is stated that the value of the import of those lines nrior to th p war was £324,548. As fish manure combines both phosphatic and nitrogenous materials, there is room for a considerable manufacture.