Wedd CatherineCATHERINE WEDD (National—Tukituki): I speak in support of the Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill as we need to protect our $2 billion seafood export industry in New Zealand.In my home Hawke's Bay we have a significant seafood industry so I know how important it is to protect this valuable industry. Like the Minister earlier said on this side of the House we are pro-industry. The Government is committed to a strong domestic framework against illegal fishing because illegal fishing threatens New Zealand's interests in the Southern and Pacific oceans and disadvantages our $2 billion seafood industry. This bill will help us meet international obligations protect our access to valuable markets and fisheries and maintain our international reputation. New Zealand is committed to being a world leader in the sustainable management of fisheries including our neighbouring international waters. This reputation is beneficial and essential for our export industry. This bill protects New Zealand's continuing access to lucrative fisheries in the Pacific and Southern Oceans by ensuring we comply with our obligations. Illegal fishing undercuts our operators reduces their profitability distorts market competition and challenges the future availability of fishery resources. This bill makes sure our fisheries continue to thrive and that they remain able to provide food and economic opportunities for all New Zealanders. This bill will strengthen New Zealand's capacity to combat illegal fishing outside our waters and bolster our fishing interests. Updating our permitting regime ensures that New Zealand vessels can continue to access valuable international fisheries and reduces the risk that they may not comply with all relevant obligations.We must protect New Zealand Inc." when it comes to our exports. As part of my previous roles in the export industry I've spent time in China promoting our exports on the global stage and the New Zealand reputation is strong. I worked closely with New Zealand Trade & Enterprise to promote our premium produce on the global stage in Asia. I know how important our New Zealand story is for ensuring that we can add value to our products. Our seafood is sold for a premium in China because of our really strong reputation. You walk into the high-end supermarkets in China in Shanghai Bejing Shenzhen and you see our seafood on display. If New Zealand fails to take effective action against violations this could be damaging to our reputation as a sustainable primary producer and it could be negatively impacted. This could increase scrutiny on exports on valuable export markets like China. This bill will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of our fishing industry and preserve transparency.Updating the Fisheries Act 1996 strengthens our ability to hold offenders to account. We need to ensure that our high-sea fisheries officers on the front lines have the right tools. New Zealand needs to be a world leader in combatting illegal fishing. Amending the Act to address these developments will strengthen New Zealand's ability to access high-value seafood markets and its reputation as a responsible seafood export nation.On this side of the House we are driven to double the value of our exports in the next 10 years. The seafood export revenue is forecast to increase 8 percent this year. It has been on an uphill trajectory and we need to protect that very very valuable seafood export market. We need to support growth in our export industries. There is no place here in New Zealand for illegal unreported and unregulated fishing activity. It is really important that we support this bill here today. So I commend it to the House."