The first phase of a joint operation by the Ministry of Fisheries and the Navy to survey the deepsea hoki trawler fleet, is over.
HMNZS Pukaki spent a week about 60 nautical miles off the west coast of the South Island inspecting ships.
Six vessels were boarded, including Korean, Russian and New Zealand ships.
Fisheries officer Craig Petherick says catch log books were studied and fishing equipment was inspected.
He says there was little difference in standards between foreign flagged vessels and the New Zealand ships.
Hoki is New Zealand's third largest seafood export after mussels and lobster and is valued at about $150 million per year.
