24 May 2016

Guy spurs MPI on fishing surveillance

12:53 pm on 24 May 2016

Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has asked officials to fast-track better camera and electronic reporting on fishing vessels in New Zealand waters.

National MP, Nathan Guy.

Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson

The ministry had an independent inquiry launched into why it did not prosecute skippers who were believed to be illegally dumping fish.

Mr Guy said he had asked officials to bring forward work to install 1400 fishing vessels with cameras, vessel monitoring systems and electronic reporting.

He denied it was as a result of the fish-dumping controversy.

"This is about me indicating that we've already got 100 percent camera coverage on Snapper 1 which is a very important fishery for recreational, customary and commercial [fishing].

"I've asked for advice now to be able to fast-track that to move 100 percent on the rest of the vessels."

He said he did not believe there had been any damage to New Zealand's reputation as a result of publicity over fish dumping.

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