Problems Of Fishing Limit

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31291, 10 February 1967, Page 1

Problems Of Fishing Limit

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, February 9. Major problems involving international law and limited Naval strength are preventing the Government from taking “police” action against Japanese vessels poaching inside the 12-mile fishing limit.

Tied virtually hand and foot until the International Court of Justice rules on the legality of the new territorial fishing zone, the Government is also faced with the difficulty of having a Naval vessel in the right place at the right time to prove that an incursion has taken place.

However, it is understood that the Government would have no hesitation in arresting a foreign vessel which blatantly continued fishing inside the 12-mile limit, once found by a naval vessel or aircraft. Japan refuses to recognise the extension of New Zealand’s fishing limits from three to 12 miles offshore. The Government extended the limit in January last year. Until Japan’s dispute over the extension has been settled by the International Court of Justice, it is under, stood the Government wants to avoid prejudicing the court’s verdict by taking heavy-handed action against poachers. Neither Japan nor New Zealand has yet approached th-: court for a verdict on the legality of the fishing zone—and it has not yet been decided whether Japan will approach the court unilaterally, or if New Zealand and Japan will make a joint approach.

Only Country New Zealand is the only country in the world to take unilateral action —without entering into complementary treaties with neighbouring countries —in declaring a 12mile limit.

It is believed that the Government’s method of instituting the limit will be a test case which could result In the United States. Canada, and

African nations following suit. Japan herself recognises that her dispute over the fishing limit is a delicate issue. The Japanese Government has recalled erring fishing vessels on several occasions—sometimes even before the New Zealand Government has had time to lodge an official protest Note. “Not Known” A Japanese Embassy official in Wellington today said that he was unable to say how many Japanese fishing vessels had been recalled after incursions inside the fishing limit. “We do not have the information here,” he said. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) today attacked the Government for its “weak and equivocating” attitude towards protecting the rights of the fishing industry, and called for firm and forthright protection of those rights.