Tighter regulations aim to protect N.Z. fishing ventures

Press, 18 July 1979, Page 2

Tighter regulations aim to protect N.Z. fishing ventures

PA Wellington New Zealand-owned fishing ventures have been given more legal protection by a bill introduced in Parliament yesterday. The Fisheries Amendment Bill, 1979, is aimed at “more effective management and conservation” of New Zealand’s fisheries and would amend the fisheries act, 1908, said the Minister of Fisheries (Mr Maclntyre). Under*- the provisions of the bill, a vessel, to qualify for registration as a New Zealand fishing boat, must "be owned and controlled completely by New Zealand interests. Any foreign interest will require the vessel to be classified as a foreign fishing craft. Mr Maclntyre told Parliament that larger fishing vessels, partly foreignowned, would no longer have the right to fish as do fully New Zealand-owned vessels, without reference to an allowable catch quota under the Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone Act. "There has been increasing interest by overseas interests in entering into jointventure agreements by which foreign vessels are chartered by a New Zealand company,” said Mr Maclntyre. “the amendments therefore make it clear that vessels working under joint venture agreements may fish only in accord with the conditions set by the Minister,” he said. The bill would also give

fishery officers the power to seize ships and equipment engaged in illegal fishing and the fish illegally caught. The 1963 amendment prohibited foreign craft from fishing within the 12-mile limit and also provided for fines for breaches of the act. But it did not allow for the confiscation of vessels. The bill also doubles the maximum fines, for breach of the regulations, to $4OOO for each offence and a further fine not exceeding $lO for each fish or quantity of fish or oysters taken. Mr Maclntyre said these

provisions were included “to deter poachers who were interested in quick profits from dealing in illegally taken fish, particularly shellfish.”

The bill also provides for an increase in the fisheries officers’ powers of search and entry, with or without warrant. Restaurants, hotels, taverns, and public eating houses have now been included in the officers’ jurisdiction.

A move by the Opposition to have the bill referred to a select committee was lost, 30-47.