New Zealand stepping up for regional fisheries
New Zealand has long been a regional power in the South Pacific, and in this capacity the country has lead a number of major initiatives undertaken alone or in conjunction with other Pacific Island nations, the most important of these have been policies aimed at environmental protection and sustainability, as well as monitoring and rehabilitation of important environmental resources, such as the Pacific fisheries.
As far back as 1979 New Zealand and number of regional governments were looking at ways in which to protect their ocean-based resources from over-exploitation by foreign operators. Figures on the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) website reveal the extent of the problem, according to the FFA, the Pacific Islands countries harvest around $200 million worth of produce from their fisheries each year, whereas foreign nations in the same waters catch over a billion dollars.
It was to redress this problem that New Zealand and 16 other Pacific Island nations formed the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, which is intended to strengthen regional unity and capacity for monitoring and policing the waters that make up the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ) around each country.
The member states vary significantly in both size and economic power, including New Zealand, the other members are Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
Tuna is the primary resource of the region in terms of the FFA, the sustainable fishing of tuna is worth around $3 billion per year, but requires extensive policing and monitoring of the more than 200,000 square kilometers of ocean that fall under the protection of EEZ legislation. Smaller Pacific Island nations are unable to provide the extensive manpower and financial commitment needed for such a task and so the FFA plays a part in providing a mechanism whereby resources can be pooled.
This is exemplified by almost every policing and monitoring initiative undertaken by the FFA.
Recent New Zealand news reports on Operation TUI MOANA showed the initiative to be a success, as well as an example of regional cooperation.
The operation involved the policing of the waters around Samoa and was undertaken by the Cook Islands, Samoa and New Zealand.
The FFA Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre coordinated the operation while New Zealand supplied two fisheries officers that joined a Cook Islands patrol boat. A RNZAF P3C Orion patrol plane from the Royal New Zealand Air Force provided surveillance capacity to the unit, which conducted patrols and boarding operations in the EEZs around Samoa and the Cook Islands.
The FFA has been an integral part of New Zealand government spending and policy initiatives over the years. In 2006, New Zealand news media reported that the country had played a major part in shaping the future work of the FFA at its annual meeting in Fiji. The government used stark and direct language to reflect its opinion on the Pacific fisheries and was met with universal support from all other member states.
“We are at a critical juncture with respect to the valuable tuna resources in the Pacific,” then-Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs, Luamanuvao Winnie Laban told the conference. “Unless the peoples of the Pacific cooperate to ensure our fisheries are properly managed, we run the risk of losing what, for many Pacific Island countries, is the only natural resource that offers real potential for economic development, in addition to being an essential source of food security.”
In this regard New Zealand has played an important role in supporting the work of the FFA. In June of 2010, Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Phil Heatley, hosted a meeting of Fisheries Ministers from Kiribati, Nauru, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu. The meeting was intended to agree on ways in which stronger ties and cooperation could be formed between their countries.
“There was support from Ministers for New Zealand’s decision to place a greater focus on assisting Pacific island countries to secure and generate greater economic benefits from sustainably-managed fisheries,” Foreign Minister McCully told New Zealand news media.
Again in August 2010, New Zealand underlined its commitment to these goals by announcing funding increases aimed at supporting the activities of the FFA. The New Zealand government announced funding increases of almost $10 million to support the management and monitoring of the Pacific fisheries.
“The Pacific’s fisheries are the cornerstone of the region’s economy. It’s in the best interests of all Pacific nations to pool our efforts,” Prime Minister John Keys said at a press conference. “As a result, in addition to our current $3.33 million support to the Forum Fisheries Agency, New Zealand will contribute $4.8 million to support the management and delivery of sub-regional and national observer programmes.”
Keys added that this new initiative would provide 250 skilled jobs in the region, as well help the FFA monitor, police and survey existing fish stocks. A further $5 million was set aside for the SPC Pacific Tuna Tagging Programme which enables Pacific Island nations to better manage and track important fish stocks, such as those of tuna.
Comments
More New Zealand News
RSS-
Clarke not worried by Englands winning performance against Kiwis in first Test
Australian captain Michael Clarke has said that he is not worried by the fact that England's highly rated swing and seam bowlers demolished New Zealand for just 68 this week. England opening bowlers James Anderson and Stuart Broad were almost invincible as 14 wickets fell on the scheduled fourth day of the first Test, in which New Zealand, which was chasing 239 for victory in a low-scoring ...
-
Kiwi keeper Watling ruled out of Headingley Test with knee injury
New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling has been ruled out of the second and final Test against England at Headingley starting from Friday because of a knee injury. Watling injured his knee during New Zealand's 170-run first Test defeat at Lord's last week, News.com.au reports. Following Watling's injury, Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum, who deputised behind the stumps at Lord's, will keep at ...
-
Kiwis warn starry-eyed Root not to get carried away by adulation and familiarity at debut Headingley Test
Upcoming England batsman Joe Root has been warned to expect a fiery attack by the New Zealand side in the middle as they look to ruin his first homecoming at Headingley. Although Root is out to etch his name into Yorkshire cricketing folklore on his debut Test, however, Kiwi pace bowler Neil Wagner is of the opinion that all the adulation and familiarity of home could backfire on the youngster ...
-
Last Chance to Mountain Bike the Heaphy Track
Last Chance to Mountain Bike the Heaphy Track If you haven't already biked the 78km Heaphy Track, you have until September 30th to take up the opportunity. A great deal of track work and new facilities will impress those riders heading out in this third and final season of the three year mountain biking trial. "The best it's been yet", is how Department of Conservation ...
-
FIS and Bacs Partnership Press Release
BACS: Business and Community Shares is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with the Funding Information Service to deliver accessible information on a wider platform for community organisations and individuals for funding and other ...
-
Changes to midweek train services south of Otahuhu
Friday, 24 May 2013, 10:27 am Press Release: Auckland Transport Friday 24 May Changes to midweek train services south of Otahuhu from Monday 27 May Auckland Transport advises of changes to some midweek night-time train services south of Otahuhu, so KiwiRail can continue installing overhead line equipment in preparation for the arrival of electric trains. Buses will replace all trains ...
-
Local board clarifies campground reports
Friday, 24 May 2013, 10:24 am Press Release: Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Media release24 May 2013 Local board clarifies campground reports Devonport-Takapuna Local Board Chairperson Chris Darby wishes to clarify inaccurate reports surrounding the local board's adoption of the Takapuna Beach Reserve Management Plan on Tuesday. "There have been some statements reported about ...
-
auranga Community Housing Trust Welcomes Funding Boost
Friday, 24 May 2013, 9:58 am Press Release: Tauranga Community Housing Trust MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE22 MAY 2013Tauranga Community Housing Trust Welcomes Funding Boost for Affordable Housing in TaurangaTauranga Community Housing Trust (TCHT) today welcomed a $1.7 million Government grant to boost the level of affordable housing in Tauranga.The Government's Social Housing ...
-
Paekakariki Hill Road is closed to traffic from both ends.
Friday, 24 May 2013, 9:53 am Press Release: New Zealand Police Location: Paekakariki Hill Road, Porirua District: Wellington Vehicle Crash Short description: Vehicle Crash Full description: Due to an single vehicle crash, Paekakariki Hill Road is closed to traffic from both ends. A vehicle has left the road and Police and other services are dealing with the incident ...
-
Auckland Voted a Top Destination By Tripadvisor
Auckland Voted a Top Destination By Tripadvisor Auckland's Waiheke Island has been ranked in the top 10 islands in the South Pacific, in the 2013 TripAdvisor Travelers Choice Destination awards, adding to a string of recent accolades.In the same TripAdvisor poll Auckland central was rated the second best destination in New Zealand.The annual awards - from the world's number one ...
-
Marlin Not For Sale
Marlin Not For Sale Regulations protecting striped marlin as a recreational-only fishery are under threat by commercial fishermen who want to keep and sell marlin. The Ministry for Primary Industries appears to be wavering in their support for the existing regulations. They will be advising the Minister, Nathan Guy, who will then decide whether to retain the status quo. Recreational ...
-
Health messages on fleet cars a hit with the Health Minister
Friday, 24 May 2013, 9:39 am Press Release: Northland District Health Board Health messages on fleet cars a hit with the Health Minister 23 health promotion messages placed on the boot of 135 Northland DHB fleet cars across the region was supported by Minister Ryall who visited Whangarei on Thursday. "This is a really great way to reach as many people as possible encouraging ...
-
Collision between two boats
Friday, 24 May 2013, 9:12 am Press Release: New Zealand Police Collision between Ferry and Water Taxi Auckland CityShortly after 8am this morning police and emergency services attended a collision between two boats close to the Auckland City Ferry Terminal.The skipper of the taxi has received minor injuries and has been taken to Auckland Hospital.Maritime New Zealand will lead the ...
-
Minister accepts mayor’s plea to reinstate clean-up
Rotorua 24.05.13: Intervention by Rotorua mayor Kevin Winters has resulted in the Corrections Department agreeing to help with Rotorua roadside clean-up projects and reinstatement of a programme of labour provided by offenders serving community work sentences. Mr Winters said he had earlier been informed by the council's Keep Rotorua Beautiful coordinator that the Community Probation ...
-
Serious Assault in Christchurch
Friday, 24 May 2013, 9:09 am Press Release: New Zealand Police Serious Assault in Christchurch.At about 745pm last night Police were called to reports of persons fightingoutside the licensed premises. The altercation involved up to 4 persons.A 29 year old man received serious head injuries, he is currently in a stable condition at Christchurch Hospital.One man was arrested and charged ...
-
End Immigration Investment Madness
Rt Hon Winston Peters has called for an end to the immigration "madness" of allowing foreign property buyers to invest in New Zealand real estate to secure permanent residence here.This follows a report that migration seminars are being conducted in nations such as Singapore and Malaysia, aimed at people willing to put upwards of $1.5 million into new residential property ...
-
New Zealand Trade Balance On Tap For Friday
New Zealand is on Friday scheduled to release April figures for imports, exports and trade balance, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.Imports are expected to be worth NZ$3.60 billion after coming in at NZ$3.70 billion in March. Exports are called at NZ$4.06 billion after showing NZ$4.42 billion in the previous month. The trade balance is expected to reflect a surplus ...
-
Mighty River shares sold to small number of wealthy
Mighty River Power shares dip below $2.50 offer price Prime Minister John Key's talk of the majority of shares in Mighty River Power going to 'mum and dad' investors was "a con", the Green Party claims. Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman said today that Green Party research, confirmed by Treasury, shows that half of the MRP shares that were sold to retail investors ...
-
Minister ignoring process over Denniston deal - conservationist
The Minister of Conservation is ignoring public process by pushing through an agreement with a mining company, one day before a law change that would require more consultation on the matter, the Green Party and conservationists say. Yesterday, Dr Nick Smith confirmed that Perth-based Bathurst Resources has been given consent under the Crown Minerals Act to dig an open-cast mine on 106 hectares ...
-
Rise in Kiwis looking for a new job survey shows
Job advertisements on the rise Nearly half of Kiwi workers are looking to leave their current job within the next year, a new survey reveals. The survey, commissioned by Seek to find out more about the career plans of the New Zealand public, found that 40% of the local working population intend to leave their current role within the next 12 months, up from 7% in 2012. The research found ...
-
Phil OReilly Take resource act back to its basics
The Resource Management Act has had so many amendments it could now cover everything from letterbox design to where your lounge is situated in your house. Photo / Doug Sherring In the coming weeks, the Government will be making its decision on the future of the Resource Management Act. This will be the act's 21st amendment, and going by the amount of misunderstanding and ...
-
Wife committed to stand trial for husbands death
Photo / File photo A woman accused of murdering her husband has been committed to stand trial in the High Court. Lucille Scollay, 44, has been charged with killing Guy Scollay, 48, at the pair's Christchurch home on February 10 this year. She was remanded in custody after being arrested shortly after the early morning incident at Edgeware Rd, but was released on bail after a successful ...
New Zealand Featured
-
New Zealand stepping up for regional fisheries
New Zealand is regional power in the Pacific and this is reflected in our ongoing involvement in the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, which is the mechanism by which the region manages one of its greatest natural resources.
New Zealand has long been a regional power in the South Pacific, and in this capacity the country has lead a number of major initiatives undertaken alone or in conjunction with other Pacific Island nations, the most important of these have been policies aimed at environmental protection and sustainability, as well as monitoring and rehabilitation of important environmental resources, such as the Pacific fisheries. Read more
News from around our Network
