SHARK INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1929, Page 1

SHARK INDUSTRY

SUCCESS IN AUSTRALIA. BRIGHT FUTURE PREDICTED. “The future of the shark industry in Australia is bright, it should be given every encouragement,” said Air T. O. Roughley, of ‘ the Technological Museum, when speaking at a meeting of the Royal Society of New South Wales recently. “Not only is it n new industry, which should therefore be encourged, but its success means lessening the shark menace to surf .bathers.” The .lecturer pointed out that although many sharks migrated a great number remained in one locality for a protracted period, and so could be practically exterminated by competent shark fishers. One important result would 'bo the destruction of the greatest .enemies of food fish.

Mr Roughley detailed the methods of shark fishing used ibv a company which is operating with success in Australian waters. As the industry extended, lie said, it would be found convenient to discard a land base in favour o>f a mother ship, which could bo moved from place to place as the shark trawlers depleted successive areas. Shark leather, Air Roughley said, had been proved to be of great use commercially, since it is quite as pliable as other leathers, and yet, being very hard, did hot show scratches. It has ihoen used for shoes, handbags, wallets, tobacco pouches, and similar articles, and lias been found to wear far better than other leather.

1 AVlien the industry is firmly estabConcluded it he 'lecturer, “ it will be found more profitable to work in northern tropical waters, where tile sharks arc very much bigger than on the Now South'Wales coast.”