-
Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
New Zealand's fishing industry has serious concerns about the Navy's ability to stop illegal foreign operators in New Zealand's waters, a ONE News investigation has revealed.
The Navy bought four new specially built inshore patrol vessels to patrol New Zealand's exclusive economic zone at a cost to the taxpayer of $145 million.
But the fishing industry says it is constantly battling the impact of unmonitored foreign vessels and they have serious concerns that Ministry of Fisheries Officers are not increasing the number of days they will spend at sea next year to utilise these new ships.
The Navy is prioritising work with Customs and the Ministry of Fisheries with Customs saying the new ships HMNZS Taupo, Rotoiti, Pukaki and Hawea are so useful they will increase their days at sea with the Navy next year from a handful to 360.
But the situation is different for Fisheries Officers.
"We've allocated 120 (days). That's what we did in the past so we haven't changed our allocation," says Andrew Coleman of the Ministry of Fisheries.
The Officers operate in teams of at least two so that means a maximum of 60 days at sea and Kiwi fisherman are disappointed.
"They maybe need to look at their priorities and spend some more days at sea," says Sean McCann of the NZ Fishing Industry Guild
The guild says foreign vessels will be able to continue to over-fish on the fringes of New Zealand's territorial waters.
"I'd like to see them place those observers on the navy vessels where they can do the most good checking on any of the controversial charter vessels," says McCann.
The Ministry says that at the time the inshore patrol vessels were purchased more days were planned but budget cuts have affected that.
The Navy, and their new vessels, are seemingly being under-used for an important role but they hope things will change.
"I think as time goes on, the capability that they provide to the various Government agencies will show they'll be utilised more and more," says Commander Shaun Fogarty of the NZ Navy.
