This summer, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), in
partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries, will
conduct maritime patrols in the Southern Ocean to help
protect Antarctic marine ecosystems and economically
important fish stocks.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force
will deploy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to the
Ross Sea to detect and deter any illegal, unreported, and
unregulated (IUU) fishing, and check compliance of licensed
fishers.
Steve Ham, Director of MPI Fisheries
Compliance, says these efforts are
critical.
“Without monitoring fishing activity in
high value fisheries such as this there is a real risk of
vessel operators flouting the rules to secure financial
advantages over compliant fishers”.
The NZDF’s Air
Component Commander, Air Commodore Andy Scott, said aircrew
would track and observe vessels, monitor fishing activity,
check compliance, collect evidence of any suspected IUU
fishing, and monitor for by-catch of protected species such
as seabirds.
“Any suspected breaches identified
during patrols are reported to relevant flag state
authorities for investigation and appropriate action,” he
said.
These patrols reinforce New Zealand’s
commitment to protect the ecologically sensitive Southern
Ocean environment, support sustainable fishing practices,
and uphold the international rules that govern this
region.
New Zealand is an active member of the
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living
Resources (CCAMLR) – the international body dedicated to
safeguarding the unique marine ecosystems in Antarctic
waters. Under CCAMLR rules, the Ross Sea fishery which opens
on 1 December, is strictly limited to vessels flagged to
member nations, operating under approved permits, and in
compliance with conservation measures, including agreed
catch
limits.
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