Redmayne Suze; Kuriger BarbaraSUZE REDMAYNE (National—Rangitīkei): It is a privilege to speak in this special debate on the report of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade on its inquiry into a legal unregulated and unreported fishing. I'm not a member of the committee but I thank both prior and current members—and add that I did enjoy the opportunity to speak at the first reading of the Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill.Illegal fishing practices seriously undermine sustainable fisheries management and are estimated to cost the Pacific region millions of dollars in lost revenue every year. They threaten food security and create an unfair playing field for legitimate commercial fishers.It's an uncomfortable truth: illegal unreported and unregulated fishing destroys livelihoods and it decimates the sustainability of our fishing resources. More broadly it undermines regional security. It's critical we continue to protect marine resources for those who believe the rules don't apply to them. Many of these rules are designed to protect not just fish stocks from exploitation but also seabirds and important marine mammals. Pacific Island nations and their communities stand to lose economically because of illegal fishing on the high seas and we're behind them all the way.As the final speaker in this most interesting and important kōrero I would like to take the opportunity to summarise the recommendations made by the committee following their extensive review—which I might add included a pretty awesome class trip. The inquiry's terms of reference aim was to examine the general practices and implications of illegal unregulated and unreported fishing in the Southern Ocean and the Pacific Ocean surrounding Polynesia Melanesia and Micronesia along with the general nature of illegal fishing activities. Indeed one of the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee's recommendations following its inquiry and under the heading Regional cooperation" was to propose this very debate to specifically highlight and bring to members' attention the matters raised in their report.Other recommendations relate to capacity-building in the Pacific including an urgent review in cooperation with Pacific countries to help identify how Pacific countries can recruit and retain professional staff for fisheries monitoring surveillance and enforcement; a recommendation that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry for Primary Industries open dialogue with Pacific fisheries partners about their technological needs to address and combat illegal unregulated and unreported fishing; and a regional approach to the consideration purchase and adoption of new technological tools to address and combat these illegal practices.Recommendations also highlight New Zealand's own framework including an urgent review and update to the national Plan of Action to Prevent Deter and Eliminate Illegal Unregulated & Unreported Fishing; and New Zealand have vessels and equipment that are fit for purpose for maritime surveillance; and also funding be found to ensure the continuation of the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries' and other relevant agencies' involvement in regional monitoring control and surveillance operations.One more recommendation signals the need to hold illegal unregulated and unreported fishing offenders to account; that stronger measures be implemented immediately to protect fisheries observers; monitor deaths and injuries investigate and prosecute those responsible and provide strong and effective sanctions and penalties for offenders. Perhaps most significantly the report recommends a significant investigation to re-evaluate the scale of illegal unregulated and unreported fishing in the Pacific.We need to protect and future-proof our fishing industry and the livelihoods of those who rely on it. Illegal unregulated and unreported fishing threatens livelihoods and environments in the Pacific. It puts ecosystems at risk. It endangers economies in the Pacific region because people lose traditional sources of food. It endangers economies across the region and deprives the Governments of income from taxes and payments.The review; this debate—they reiterate and reaffirm that New Zealand is 100 percent committed and actively engaged in combating illegal unregulated and unreported fishing through global regional and national efforts. Thank you.Madam Speaker I seek leave for the House to adjourn early.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? Oh sorry. First of all—sorry just a moment Ms Redmayne. The question is that the motion be agreed to. Those of that opinion will say—this is the motion on the fisheries report. That those—sorry no my bad as well. Thank you to the Clerk for picking me up on that. So the question is that the motion be agreed to.Motion agreed to.DEPUTY SPEAKER: Now to Ms Redmayne's seeking leave for the House to adjourn early. Leave is sought for that purpose. Is there any objection? There is none. The House stands adjourn until 2 p.m. on Tuesday 21 May 2024. Thank you.The House adjourned at 5.46 p.m."