Samoa seeks N.Z. fish

Press, 14 April 1980, Page 10

Samoa seeks N.Z. fish

Western Samoa may apply to fish in New Zealand’s 200-mile economic zone, according to the Prime Minister of Western Samoa, Tupuola Efi. He saw “a gleam to make the most of it, he said in Wellington after talks with the Prime Minister, Mr Muldoon. In fishing areas where allocations had already been made the Western Samoans would not be able to fish this year but that did not stop them from apply for an allocation for next year. Western

Samoa wanted to catch 8000 tonnes of fish a year although it had originally sought 14,000 tonnes. Japanese interests were involved with Western Samoan fishermen and some people in New Zealand saw the Samoan request as a ploy to. increase the Japanese quota. But it would be a big help to the Samoan economy. “If New Zealand is serious about helping our country and other small countries I’m sure this is one way of doing it,”, said Tupuola Efi. New Zealand interests were welcome to

participate in the joint ven-

He had originally been told that it would not be helpful to have New Zealand participation but he had found that this was not the case.

He had been promised New Zealand Government support for Samoa’s request that Pacific Forum Line ships should call at Auckland first instead of Lyttelton so that there would be a direct ApiaAuckland service. This would mean a saving of $40,000 a voyage.