Mon, 20 Dec 2004

Closer New Zealand/Argentina fisheries cooperation

New Zealand and Argentina's fisheries agencies have strengthened a long-standing relationship with the signing of a formal cooperation arrangement, Ministry of Fisheries deputy chief executive Stan Crothers said today.

The deal, between the Ministry of Fisheries and its Argentinean counterpart, the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, was concluded in Argentina on 17 December. The signing was witnessed by Energy Minister, Hon. Pete Hodgson, who is in Argentina for climate change discussions.

"The Arrangement includes commitments to share general information on fisheries policy and processes, exchange personnel, meet regularly, cooperate on monitoring and surveillance, and identify common interests in international fisheries issues," Mr Crothers said.

"We will also be encouraging cooperation and collaboration between our nations' fishing industries."

"As southern hemisphere coastal states with significant fisheries interests, New Zealand and Argentina have a lot in common," Mr Crothers said. "This means we often work closely with fisheries officials in Argentina, and we have developed this cooperation arrangement to guide our work together in the future."

Besides having significant domestic fishing industries, both New Zealand and Argentina have developing fishing interests on the high seas - particularly in the Pacific - and a common focus on sustainable use of fishing resources.

The two countries have cooperated on a number of fisheries market access issues at the World Trade Organisation. The New Zealand fishing industry has significant joint venture hoki fishing interests in Argentina.

Mr Crothers signed the Arrangement for the Ministry of Fisheries and Undersecretary of Fisheries and Agriculture, Gerardo Nieto, added his signature in Buenos Aires.

ENDS