THE SLIPPERY EEL

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 106, 26 July 1927, Page 16

THE SLIPPERY EEL

NEW EXPORT TRADE KEEN DEMAND IN LONDON (Special to THE SUN.) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. Perhaps the pursuit of the slippery eel may yet become a business in Mew Zealand, attended by great profit. QANTERBURY’S lakes and rivers swarm with eels and they enjoy almost immunity from fishermen. Maoris consider them a delicacy and there are others who know how tasty are fried eels, but generally speaking there is little demand for them from the public. However, according to information in the possession of Mr. D. Colquhoun, officer-in-charge in Christchurch of the Department of Industries and Commerce, there is a possibility of developing an export trade in frozen eels. Mr. Colquhoun has a report on the subject from the High Commissioner in London. There is a big market for eels in England, where suppliers can secure Is 2d to Is 6d a lb for fresh eels, and 8d to 9d a lb for frozen. So great is the demand that great quantities are imported from Europe, the general practice being to ship them alive. The report goes thoroughly into the question of sending frozen eels from New Zealand, and it is considered that a trial shipment would b* justified. Attached to it is a communication on the subject from a big Billingsgate fish firm, which states: “Speaking generally, we think that properly worked, there would be a fair opening for good quality medium - sized frozen eels from New Zealand. Being a new article, it would want a certain amount of pushing at the beginning, but there would be a good chance of making it an established and regular trade.”