Turei Metiria: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
Turei Metiria: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers Questions to Members 
[Volume:633;Page:4552] 
11.  
METIRIA TUREI (Green) 
 to the  
Minister of Fisheries 
: Has he been advised of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s 2006 report  
The Impacts of Fishing on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems 
; if so what action is he taking if any in response to the call that States urgently consider the interim prohibition of destructive fishing practices including bottom trawling in international waters? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON (Minister of Fisheries) 
: 
 Yes I have seen the report. It was received by officials in New Zealand on 16 July. They are currently assessing it. They consider the report to be a comprehensive and balanced summary of the issues relating to the impacts of fishing on vulnerable marine ecosystems. In September 2004 the New Zealand Government approved a strategy to secure improved protection of high-seas biodiversity from the impacts of bottom trawling. The strategy was developed to reflect concern at the environmental impacts of bottom trawling on vulnerable marine ecosystems. New Zealand is currently reviewing this strategy in the light of recent international developments. 
Metiria Turei 
: Does the Minister agree with the United Kingdom’s fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw who called for prohibitions on destructive deep-sea bottom trawling; if so will he proactively work with international leaders like Minister Bradshaw and the UN Secretary-General to adopt a resolution for a moratorium on high-seas bottom trawling at the next United Nations General Assembly meeting in October of this year; if not why not? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: Mr Bradshaw and other fisheries Ministers from various countries may well say that; of course they do not do any bottom trawling. The problem in United Nations forums is to get universal agreement from countries—countries that do not do it together with those that do. New Zealand is working with the New Zealand fishing industry on proposals to close up to one-third of the New Zealand exclusive economic zone to bottom trawling as well as an area in international waters of the Tasman Sea. As far as I am aware that is the largest area of the seafloor being set aside on a voluntary basis by the fishing industry anywhere on the planet. 
Metiria Turei 
: Has the Minister seen photos like these of various dead deep-sea creatures black coral and discarded rattail fish—all protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora—with all damage caused by the  
Chang Xing 
 trawling vessel that docked in Nelson harbour last weekend; and why will he not pursue New Zealand’s very good record as leaders in the ban on drift-netting and as leaders in the protection of whales and actively work with other international leaders and countries to protect these marine species from the most vulnerable deep-sea marine ecosystems? 
Hon JIM ANDERTON 
: I am aware of the destruction that can be caused by some forms of bottom trawling. If the member reads the United Nations Secretary-General’s report she will see there is reference to the role of fisheries management organisations on a regional basis. In the South Pacific Ocean New Zealand is working with other States to establish a new regional fisheries management organisation. Once established it is envisaged that the regional fisheries management organisation will have the competence to regulate bottom fisheries and the impacts of fishing on marine ecosystems in the area covered by the new organisation. At its next meeting in November 2006 participants will consider interim measures that include addressing the adverse impacts of destructive fishing practices on vulnerable ecosystems. 
Metiria Turei 
: I seek leave to table a number of documents. The first is the United Nations General Assembly report  
The Impacts of Fishing on Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems 
. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Metiria Turei 
: I seek leave to table the draft of the speech given by Minister Ben Bradshaw at the Third Global Conference on Oceans Coasts and Islands in Paris. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Metiria Turei 
: I seek leave to table a photograph of the trawler  
Chang Xing 
 from which the by-catch referred to in my question was taken. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Metiria Turei 
: I seek leave to table this photo of by-catch of deep-sea fish from the  
Chang Xing 
. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Metiria Turei 
: I seek leave to table this photograph of rare black coral protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora agreement and found in the discard from the  
Chang Xing 
. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House. 
Metiria Turei 
: I seek leave to table this photograph of a rare rat-tail fish being discarded from the  
Chang Xing 
. 
Document by leave laid on the Table of the House.