The New Zealand Defence Force and the country's Ministry for Primary Industries have inspected 10 vessels during recent maritime patrols in the exclusive economic zones of Samoa and Tokelau.
One of the vessels inspected by NZDF fisheries patrols near Samoa and Tokelau Photo: supplied
The Commander of Joint Forces New Zealand, Major General Tim Gall, said New Zealand recognises the importance of fishery resources to the island nations.
An MPI spokesman Steve Ham said the patrols didn't detect any serious offending under Samoa's or Tokelau's fisheries legislation.
He said vigilance through regular compliance patrols was necessary to ensure the sustainable use of fishery resources.
The patrols assist the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency to manage, control and develop the tuna fisheries of its 17 members - an industry worth more than $US3 billion a year.
The New Zealand Defence Force has also been undertaking maritime patrols in Fijian waters.
