Fifteen Australian Bluefin tuna boats are heading for the Cook Islands on a pioneering trip.
Some of them might even remain there. While preparing for the two-week voyage, Mark Chambers, owner of two Napier boats on the trip, said “if all goes off well we will probably stay thereâ€.
The total allowable catch of 370 tons of Southern Bluefin tuna, which was set by the Fisheries Ministry, has already been filled. Therefore, the boats cannot fish for tuna in New Zealand waters any more this year.
Chambers' two boats, the “San Nicholas†and the “Bold Contenderâ€, are now registered in the Cooks and flying the Cook Islands flag.
The Cook Islands Government has facilitated the venture, with each boat permitted to catch as much fish as it can.