XN000022-1975-02-12 — Page 6

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1975

ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LOCAL MARICULTURE INDUSTRY, MR. NICHOLS NOTED THAT EXPANSION HAD BEEN PHENOMENAL AND IN SOME LOCATIONS PRODUCTION HAD TRIPLED OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS.

+ IN WELCOMING SUCH DEVELOPMENT, HOWEVER,

ONE MUST ALSO SOUND A NOTE OF CAUTION. THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS TO BE IDENTIFIED, FACED AND OVERCOME,+ HE SAID.

+ IN PRODUCTION TERMS ONE CAN SUGGEST OVER-STOCKING AND OVERFEEDING, TO NAME BUT TWO- AND OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE, ESPECIALLY IN THE FACE OF COMPETING USES FOR INSHORE WATERS, IS THE NEED TO EXECUTE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE MARINE FISH FARMER FROM INTERFERENCE AND ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE AS WELL AS TO PROMOTE THE ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF THIS SECTOR OF OUR

INDUSTRY.

+FOR SOME YEARS NOW THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN PRESSING FOR SUCH LEGISLATION AND ONE IS HOPEFUL THAT THE NEXT 12 MONTHS WILL SEE OUR OBJECTIVE REALISED, + SAID MR. NICHOLS.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

COPIES OF THE FULL TEXT OF MR. NICHOLS' SPEECH ARE AVAILABLE FOR COLLECTION FROM THE G.I.S. PRESS ROOM, 6TH FLOOR, BEACONSFIELD HOUSE.

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