Labour promises stake in in-shore, off-shore fishing

Press, 26 May 1981, Page 12

Labour promises stake in in-shore, off-shore fishing

PA Nelson The Labour Party has promised to give New Zealand a greater stake in the development of both its inshore and off-shore fishing zones. Releasing the party’s fisheries policy on behalf of the Labour Shadow Minister for Primary Industries (Sir Basil Arthur), who was unable to attend because; of airport disruption, a spokesman said that the industry had shown a great response to the potential of new fishing zones, but it faced major problems. The in-shore fishery was overcapitalised, overmanned, and overfished. Inflation and fuel costs were wrecking profitability. The allocation of jointventure licences was in some cases cutting directly across the diversification and marketing of the New Zealand industry, and smaller operators were being pushed to the wall. The fishing industry would be designated as a front line industry under, the Labour Government’s over-all development plan, he said. This would make, fishing ventures eligible for concessional finance through the Rural Bank, the Development Finance Corporation, and the Export Import Corporation. They would also be eligible for consideration for regional development funds where appropriate. Specific encouragement would be given to efficient small-boat users to ensure that balance was kept in the industry. This encouragement would include finance for suitable vessels. The investment allowances would be reviewed with a view to removing anomalies such as the present exclusion of first-entry, second-hand vessels from the 40 per cent investment allowance. Sir Basil Said the greatest potential for future development lay in the off-shore fisheries. The Labour pro-

gramme would aim at getting the maximum benefit for. New Zealand from its 200mile zone, while preserving and conserving the resource. Management and policing of the zone would be improved to ensure that New Zealand interests came first. There would be strict criteria for the granting of fishing rights in the zone, including ensuring that na-

tions were given rights, on the basis of making a contribution to the development of New Zealand’s industry, and freer market access on competitive terms for New Zealand fish and other products. There would be every possible; encouragement for those involved to process the maximum amount of fish on shore. As a part of this, new processing facilities would be

included in regional development programmes.

A Labour Government would continue to support joint ventures in the industry as long as they worked in the interests of New Zealand over-all, in fisheries New Zealanders could not exploit themselves. However, there would be some changes in the basis on which these were granted.