Calls to up ante with fish pirates

Defence officials from the HMNZS Wellington, in the background, have so far failed to board the two fishing vessels. Photo / Supplied

The Royal New Zealand Navy is being urged to escalate a standoff with two illegal fishing vessels in the Southern Ocean, with calls last night for a show of firepower.

The standoff intensified yesterday with the two ships refusing to let Defence officials on board.

HMNZS Wellington was given permission overnight Tuesday to board the vessels, which were flagged to Equatorial Guinea and were not legally permitted to fish in the region. But attempts to board them and inspect their catches have so far failed.

New Zealand First defence spokesman Ron Mark said the standoff revealed concerns about rules of engagement and the war-fighting capability of our naval vessels.

"It is clear this needs escalation. Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) are armed with a single gyro-stabilised 25mm Bushmaster cannon and two unstabilised .50 calibre machine guns. ... It should be ... sufficient to send a warning shot across the bow.

"Ultimately, New Zealand is exercising our legitimate legal rights and should these vessels refuse boarding then we must be prepared to use force."

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said yesterday: "HMNZS Wellington attempted to exercise its legitimate right to board the Yongding and the Songhua ... but the vessels refused to co-operate."

Equatorial Guinea told New Zealand officials it was believed the vessels were fishing illegally and agreed the Navy should board them and verify their flag status.