Have your say on the inquiry into illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing

Source: New Zealand Parliament

Through this inquiry the committee aims to understand how these activities affect the environment and Pacific countries and how effective current governance arrangements are to expose, deter, and enforce sanctions for IUU fishing activities. The committee will also look at the effectiveness of New Zealand’s efforts in regard to IUU fishing.

To assist with the inquiry the committee is seeking submissions to gain a better understanding of the broad implications of illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing. The committee wishes to focus particularly on:

The ecological and environmental effects on the Southern and Pacific Oceans, with concern for sustaining the marine habitat and preserving genetic diversity.

The societal effects on Pacific Island countries, including the consequences for the economy, the workforce, and the wider community.

The role that New Zealand, Pacific Island countries, and regional institutions have in exposing, deterring, and enforcing sanctions for IUU fishing activities.

The specific terms of reference for the committee’s work are attached to this press release below.

Chairperson Hon Jenny Salesa said “the committee is looking forward to engaging with people, organisations and businesses that are affected by illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, as well as related experts and interest groups. Members of our Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee are eager to explore the subject, evaluate New Zealand’s current role in IUU fishing, and discuss how New Zealand’s role may be improved in the future.”

Tell the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee what you think

Make a submission on the inquiry by midnight on 1 October 2021.

For more details about the inquiry:

ENDS

For media enquiries contact:

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee staff fadt@parliament.govt.nz

Terms of Reference

Purpose

This inquiry will examine the general practices and implications of illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing (IUU fishing) in the Southern Ocean and the Pacific Ocean surrounding Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia.

The committee will only be considering the general nature of IUU fishing activities and will not be inquiring into any specific allegations of wrongdoing against named or identifiable organisations or individuals.

Scope

Having regard to its purpose, the committee will seek submissions to understand the implications of IUU across three themes.

1. The ecological and environmental effects on the Southern and Pacific Oceans including:
   1. The sustainable utilisation of ecosystems, species, and fish stocks within the marine habitat.
   2. The maintenance of essential ecological processes and the preservation of genetic diversity 
2. The societal effects on Pacific Island countries, including:
   1. The economies of Pacific Island countries. 
   2. The opportunities for people to work on fishing vessels and the conditions they work under.
   3. Any wider societal harm.
3. The regional, national, and international governance arrangements in place to expose, deter, and enforce sanctions for IUU fishing activities, including:

1. A stocktake of state participants in current governance arrangements.
2. The role of the Pacific Island Forum, its agencies, and other regional institutions in combating IUU fishing.
3. The ability of Pacific countries, the barriers they face, and mechanisms that could be introduced to support Pacific countries to increase their participation in governance arrangements designed to combat IUU fishing.
4. New Zealand’s role and capacity building in support of Pacific countries wishing to accede to enhanced governance arrangements, and its role in maritime surveillance

Aims

Having regard to the purpose and scope of the inquiry the committee aims to:

1. Evaluate the implications of IUU fishing on the environment and Pacific Island societies.
2. Evaluate the effectiveness of governance arrangements to expose, deter, and enforce sanctions for IUU fishing activities.
3. Evaluate the effectiveness of New Zealand’s efforts in regard to IUU fishing.
4. To make recommendations to the House about New Zealand’s future efforts in regard to IUU fishing.

MIL OSI

MIL OSI