The New Zealand Government is aiming to increase co-operation in tuna fisheries management and development with Kiribati, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu as part of its new focus on sustainable economic growth.
The New Zealand Fisheries Minister, Phil Heatley, says because tuna is a highly migratory species it's in New Zealand's interests to ensure these countries can protect their fish stocks.
He says the four countries involved already have links with New Zealand companies but there is a drive to broaden the relationship.
"In terms of the access arrangements obviously all those four nations get income from licences but what they want to do is make sure that there's an opportunity for their population to work on fishing boats, to be involved in observer services, to ensure that fishing operations are carried out properly in their waters, want to be involved in research and want to be involved in the sort of higher end processing."
