Nets out for prized delicacy

By PAULA OLIVER

The controversial Antarctic toothfish market is likely to be opened up to New Zealand's fishing heavyweights this summer, following the Government's decision to put its support behind local bids to fish the Ross Sea.

Fisheries Minister Pete Hodgson ended speculation that a moratorium might be imminent by announcing that the Government would seek a permit for three NZ vessels to continue "exploratory fishing."

He said not enough was known about the toothfish, and a further year's research would help assess the resource.

But he warned that a moratorium would be sought as early as next year if there was any indication that the species was not being adequately protected. The toothfish is particularly attractive to illegal fishing vessels, because it commands more than $30 a kilogram in wholesale markets.

The Government has been the target of intense pressure from environmental groups pushing for a moratorium on the Ross Sea.

But Sanford, one of the country's major fishing companies, says research results from the past four years proved stocks were healthy enough to be fished at five times the rate they were last summer, when the total catch was 300 tonnes.

Managing director Eric Barratt warned that a moratorium would be unlikely to attract full international support. Illegal fishing would subsequently increase.

Greenpeace New Zealand campaign director Tricia Allen said last night that the Government was bowing to pressure from a few fishing companies, and one more year's fishing could prove disastrous for the species. She said pirate fishing was raging out of control across the Southern Ocean.