SYDNEY TRAWLERS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 January 1933, Page 2

SYDNEY TRAWLERS

FISHING ON N.Z. COAST. MAN LANDED FOR HOSPITAL. AUCKLAND, Jan. 16. A Sydney venture to catch fish off the New Zealand coast and offer it for sale on Australian markets came under the floodlight of publicity when a Sydney trawler unexpectedly put into tlio Manukau Harbour yesterday afternoon to land a member* of her crew who was suffering from a septic band. But for the need of landing the man it is considered likely that the trawler would have completed her fishing and returned to Australia without putting in to any New Zealand port. . The man, who was brought ashore for treatment at the Auckland Hospital, was Walter John Carey, aged 50, of Auburn, Sydney, and the trawler which came all the way across the Tasman for fish is the Alfie Cam, a. vessell of 282 tons, built in England in 1920, Carey had his right hand injured in the engine-room on Friday last, and when the wound became septic the master, Captain W. Reid, thought it advisable to put the inan ashore for expert treatment. On his admission to hospital, Carey underwent a minor operation, and to-day his condition was satisfactory. Off Manukau Heads. The Alfie Cam arrived off Manukau Heads shortly before 1 o’clock, but as the master was not acquainted with the conditions of 1 the bar she did not cross inwards, but remained cruising about outside. An hour later, the motor-vessel, Hokiahga, bound from Hokianga to Onehunga, arrived off the bar, and was requested by the trawler to take Carey into port. As there is a regulation which forbids any person landing from an overseas vessel without permission from the Health and Customs authorities, the master of the Hokianga did not comply with the request, but suggested that be should lead the trawler over the bar. This course was agreed to, and the trawler anchored inside the Manukau Heads.

When the Hokianga arrived at the wharf at Onehunga, she reported the matter; but in the meantime the injured man had been taken off the trawler by a private launch which had been attracted by the piping of the fishing vessel’s whistle.

Excursionists Held Up. Excursionists on other launches which arrived at Onehunga before cne boat with' the injured man on board were not allowed to land until it had been ascertained that none from the trawler was among them. According to Carey, the Alfie Cam which is owned by Messrs Cam and Sons, left Sydney ten days ago l to try out a new scheme for catching fish off tile New Zealand coast for Australia. The crossing of the Tasman occupied five days, and fishing was commenced off the Three Kings and Cape Maria van Diemen. Rough weather hampered the fishing operations at the start, but later the trawler worked south and excellent results were achieved. The trawler, he thought, would be leaving oh her return trip to Sydney about Wednesday.

NOT ILLEGAL.

OPERATIONS OF AUSTRALIAN TRAWLER. WELLINGTON, Jan. 16. “I cannot recall any regulation which would debar an Australian trawler from operating in New Zealand waters,” said Mr A. E. Hefford, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, commenting this evening on the activity of the-Sydney trawler Alfie Cam. Mr Hefford added that in broao terms the New Zealand Government had authority within the three-mile limit. It seemed, however, that the legislation covering the New Zealand fisheries would not prohibit a visiting trawler from working inside the threemile limit where this privilege was aiso enjoyed by New Zealand vessels.

An Australian trawler would certainly have to keep within the limits laid down for local trawlers, but the restriction would seem to end at that, Mr Hefford said. “I consider our fishing, grounds rather better than those off the coast of Australia,” Mr Hefford continued. “I think the visit may have been influenced by rather glowing accounts of New Zealand fisheries which recently appeared in English journals. I have read these myself, and I suppose they would present a rather tempting picture to Australian enterprise.

‘Most countries regarded the three mile limit as covering territorial waters, but there was no universal agreement.” Mi’ Hefford added. “Russia had endeavoured to lay down a 12-mile limit, and Norway had proposed 10 miles. In England some time ago legislative authority had closed an area to English trawlers, and it had been found that the law did not cover foreign vessels operating within the three-mile limit.

“International law for water is fuff of loopholes.” Mr Hefford continued. “V,’e have an illustration of the difficulties which arise in fisheries control in the .whaling in f lu«h"y. Until all nations can agree, it- is difficult to do much.”