Wellington, May 1 (IANS): All foreign charter fishing vessels are required to reflag to New Zealand and operate under full legal jurisdiction of from Sunday in order to keep fishing in the country's waters.
According to the Fisheries Bill of New Zealand passed in 2014, foreign-owned vessels fishing in New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone should be flagged to New Zealand to ensure the government had jurisdiction over areas including employment, health and safety conditions, Xinhua news agency reported.
Nathan Guy, minister for primary industries, said nine foreign charter vessels were reflagged and around nine have decided not to fish in New Zealand waters.
The nine reflagged vessels are from Japan, South Korea, Ukraine and the Commonwealth of Dominica.
"This is a new era for fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters and will help ensure fair standards for all fishing crews working in our waters," said Guy.