FISHING INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1920, Page 5

FISHING INDUSTRY.

SUPPLY LAGGING BEHIND THE DEMAND. / "Prom the reports and returns received from the collectors of Customs and inspectors of fisheries at the various fishing ports it would seem that there has been a considerable increase in the quantity and value of fish marketed in comparison with the previous year," states the Marine Department's report for the past year. ''Fishermen on the East Coast as far north as East Cape lost a good deal of time on account of stormy weather, which affected their earnings to a. considerable extent, and kept the' city markets specially short of fish for weeks at a time. "Even with the higher prices charged the demand for fish is steadily on the increase, and the Government must face the question of taking such steps as will ensure a substantial increase in the fish supply all ovet the Dominion. The continued short supply and high price of coal, benzine, nets, and netting twine, etc., is undoubtedly adversely affecting the fish supply; but even under normal conditions, the catching-power is at present not sufficient to supply the increasing demand for fish, and an increase in the number and also in the size of all new fishing vessels is necessary, with better facilities for marketing and distributing fish, in order to satisfactorily increase the supply of fish for the people of the Dominion. "If private enterprise cannot provide the increased supply which is required, then the Government will have to consider the question of putting on « number of up-to-date fishing vessels, capable of working any part of our coasts and in any depths where fish are most plentiful."