SEINE-NETTING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 783, 2 October 1929, Page 10

SEINE-NETTING

NEW HAURAKI REGULATIONS PROTEST FROM FISHERMEN TB.E SUN’S Parliamentary Reporter PARLIAMENT BLDGS.. Tues. A protest against the recent regulations compelling tlie use of larger mash in nets used for seine-netting in the Hauraki Gulf was made to Parliament today, in a petition presented by Mr. M. J. Savage (Auckland West), on bebalf of the Auckland Seine-Net and Line Fishermen's Association. The petitions stated that in 1914 a special fishing commission was set up under Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., which reported that trawling was not interfering with the feeding beds in the Gulf. Petitioners saw no reason to depart from this finding. There was no evidence to justify the suggestion that seine-net and line fishing could in any way interfere with the breeding or cause depletion of fish in the Gulf. Petitioners suggested that there was no reason for alteration of the mesh as at present. Fully 25 per cent, of mature fish was lost from nets. Petitioners were using a bigger mesh in Auckland than in any other part of the world. They claimed that by their method of fishing the quality of fish had greatly improved and a regular supply had been maintained, keeping the price reasonable. They were as anxious as anyone to conserve fishing grounds, as by doing so they were keeping alive the industry.