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22 JUNE 1999

Amendment Bill Meets Crown Obligations For Fisheries

The Fisheries Amendment Bill (No.2) introduced into Parliament today, will help meet both national and international obligations, said Food and Fibre Minister John Luxton.

"This Bill allows the Crown to honour its commitment to Ngai Tahu under the Deed of Settlement and also helps New Zealand meet international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea."

The Bill contains measures:

-to ratify the United Nations Fish Stocks Agreement signed by New Zealand in 1995; -to repeal the Fourth Schedule of the Fisheries Act 1996, allowing the introduction of additional species into the Quota Management System; -to introduce South Island Freshwater Eels to the Quota Management System by 1 October 2000 as required under the Ngai Tahu Deed of Settlement; and -to revoke a declaration introducing scampi into the Quota Management System, which is currently under High Court challenge.

"The measures contained in the Bill will further strengthen New Zealand's booming commercial fishery while also benefiting recreational interests and protecting New Zealand's valuable fishing resource as the country moves into the new millennium," Mr Luxton said

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