Give Squid Pro Quo a go

In your article entitled "Squid Pro Quo" in the April 10th issue of Salient, I believe many facts were omitted and the truth was pushed well aside.

The basic: principle of the Exclusive Economic Zones as being developed at the Law of the Sea conferences is that nations which establish such zones must calculate the maximum sustainable yield of their zone and must make the surplus available to other nations.

Foreign fishermen have, in the past, competed with local industry, and now because of the Exclusive Economic Zones the New Zealand fishing industry has just experienced a year of record export earnings; some $50.4 m.

The South Koreans have not been "kicked out", as your article suggested, but were the first to sign an agreement, and now remain in New Zealand waters in some strength.

Also, Russia is far from being the "worst fishing nation". It has a record of efficiency, cooperation and concern for observing the local regulations. They cannot take up the "slack" left by departing Japanese except by agreement with the New Zealand government. Their rational allocation is based on the size of their historical catch in New Zealand waters.

Only Japanese and Taiwanese vessels have been arrested becasue they have been the only offenders so far. If the Russians offend they too will be arrested. But in New Zealand waters and in others Russia has repeatedly shown its respect for regulations and has exterted her own disciplinary and control measures on her own fishermen.

In addition to that, Russia is aiding the New Zealand economy by making use of New Zealand repair and replenishment facilities and 'Air New Zealand' for the turnover of crews.

These facts should clearly show that Russia is in no way an "offender", and that the writer of the article in question let political bias distort the truth.