Chile commits to fisheries management

Chile has agreed to join New Zealand and Australia in leading the development of a regional fisheries management organisation, Fisheries Minister David Benson-Pope said today.

The new organisation would manage non-tuna fisheries in the South Pacific, including species like orange roughy, alfonsino, oreo dories and jack mackerel.

Mr Benson-Pope said international co-operation was vital so that management measures were effective and binding on all states with vessels in the area.

"A key role of the new organisation will be to manage the adverse impacts of fishing activity on biodiversity," he said.

"Bottom trawling can take a heavy toll on marine life in vulnerable areas and it is in everybody's interests to improve management of the practice throughout the world."

Mr Benson-Pope said Chile agreed to help lead the development of the management organisation at a meeting last week with New Zealand officials.

The next stage will be in February next year, when New Zealand will host the first meeting with interested states.

"Until the new organisation is up and running, New Zealand will seek agreement with other states on interim measures to manage the existing fisheries and impacts of fishing activity on the environment," he said.

- NZPA