MPs have been told that New Zealand's fishing industry is a disgrace.
Unions have appeared before the Primary Production Select Committee pushing for broad terms of reference for an upcoming Ministerial Review into the Fishing Industry.
The Service and Foodworkers Union says the inquiry must go further than just looking at the exploitation of foreign workers within New Zealand's economic zone.
Union spokesperson Neville Donaldson told the committee it also needs to investigate the job losses that have devastated the workforce.
He said the union estimates that the industry has laid off 50% of the workforce since the peak in 2002, in favour of foreign employment.
