Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), Tuesday 31 July 1923, page 9


TRAWLED FISH.

THE KORAAGA'S HAUL.

The trawler Koraaga returned to Sydney early yesterday morning. Adverse weather conditions prevented large hauls of fish, but valuable work was done in plotting out fishing grounds along the south coast.

During the whole time out of port the Koraaga experienced heavy seas. Fish were found off Montagu Island and North Eton, and 77 baskets of flathead and 18 of John Dory, perch, and schnapper were brought into port. Unlike the system obtaining under State control, when hauls were left on deck until all operations ended, the method adopted was to place each kind of fish straight into a separate ice-house, and, to prevent crushing of the lower layers of fish, each ice-house 18 divided into sections by removable Bhclves.

This system also obviates the use of grappling hooks, which formerly tore the flesh of the fish, and BO made, large quantities un-saleable. Under the new system loading into the baskets is effected by a simple inclination of the shelves. Mr. Creamer, general manager of the Coastal Trawling Company, which controls the Koraaga, pointed out yesterday that the reduction of handling to a minimum must ensure the good condition of all fish.

Buyers and agents at the Municipal Fish Markets yesterday predicted success for the venture. It was pointed out that little more than an hour had elapsed from the time the arrival of the Koraaga at Its wharf till the fish were on sale at the markets. Retail shops in the city and suburbs had supplies of trawled fish before 6 a.m.

Speaking of the prospects of privatelycontrolled trawling, an official at the markets yesterday explained that the demand for the small catch received was eminently satisfactory, and that the markets would certainly be able to dispose of fairly large supplies of trawled fish.. The Koranga, moreover, should show a profit with even moderate catches. The weakness of the State trawling enterprise was, in his opinion, the large administrative and storage expenses. , The Coastal Trawling Company has entirely eliminated. the latter. Fish, once off the boat, would cause the company no further expense than was involved in transport to the

market. ______________