Tuna For Export

Prospects that Gisborne could be the home of an exciting new industry have developed in recent months with the start of tuna fishing in East Coast waters.

When the proposal crystallised during last year, it was given enthusiastic support by the Member of Parliament for Gisborne, Mrs Esme Tombleson, who was instrumental in securing the necessary Government approval and permits.

J. Wattie Canneries then went ahead and purchased a suitable boat, the Olwyn, and brought out from America an expert, Mr D. W. Phillips, to organise the fishing side of the business.

After a refit and the installation of special equipment, the Olwyn made a number of exploratory trips off the East Coast in December and January, returning each time with catches.

Meanwhile, Watties prepared at its Gisborne factory to can the fish. "Besides a large market for canned tuna, we have an open order from the U.S.A. for all the frozen product we can supply", said Mr J. Wattie, managing director of the firm.

(Pictures by Lloyd Cornish)

Most of the fish caught have averaged about 30lb, which is considered the right size and weight for canning. Mr Gordon Wattie, who is keenly interested in the project, has sailed with the Olwyn several times as a crew member, and is impressed with the quantity of tuna seen. "We'll buy all the albacore we can get," he announced recently. "If anybody is interested in fitting out a boat and catching them, we would like to talk to them." Mr Phillips added that 90% of albacore in the U.S. was caught from small two-man boats, using the trolling method, and a boat could be fitted up for this for not much more than £50.