Value Of Sharks

Letter to the Editor NO doubt, some readers have had their interest stirred in the commercial possibilities of shark fishing— at> discussed in recent issues of the “P.IM.”.

Perhaps it has not been made sufficiently clear that there are many fine points connected with the business, and that a skin or fin cut the wrong way, or the oil heated to the wrong temperature in rendering, can completely ruin the com mercial value of the various products.

Furthermore, the value of products from the various varieties of shark—of which there are many—varies very consider ably.

Several years ago, I was particularly interested in the subject, and while in London, towards the end of 1938, I col lected a considerable amount of informa tion from the Imperial Institute and from several firms who handle the products.

This material ranges from full details concerning the making and repairing of nets to the drying of the meat, curing of skins, preparing of rectum tubes, full information regarding the identification of the various varieties, etc. —in short, just about everything except the actual latitude and longitude of the best fish ing grounds.

Owing to ill-health I have not been able to make use of the information gathered. However, should anv of your readers be interested, I am prepared to supply typed copies, complete with sketches, etc. (the whole covering about 15 pages of foolscap) on receipt of 2/6, to cover cost of paper, postage and typ ing.

I am. etc.,

James P. Shortall.

Spur Road, Colvton.

Fielding, New Zealand.

September 23, 1940.

Captain Walton Drake, R.N., who was Administrator of Norfolk Island from 1904 to 1907, died at Wahroonga, N.S.W., on September 9. He was responsible, with the late Sir Francis Suttor, for locating the anchor from H.M.S. “Sirus”, which was lost off N. 1., and sending it to Aus tralia for erection in its present position in Macquarie Place, Sydney.