The Government has ratified an international fisheries agreement designed to fight illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully said on Monday that widespread implementation of the agreement would make it more difficult and less economic to undertake illegal fishing.
Mr McCully said it would mean New Zealand fishers could operate in high-value international fisheries with less threat of illegal fishers, while ensuring sustainability of the oceans.
New Zealand is the ninth country to ratify the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation's Port State Measures Agreement, which requires 25 ratifications to come into force.
