EU and Cooks formalise purse seiner deal

16:04 pm on 19 October 2016

The controversial Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement between the European Union and the Cook Islands has been formally adopted.

Under the Partnership, the Cook Islands will receive nearly seven million US dollars over a four-year period in return for providing access to four European flagged purse seine fishing vessels which will target the migratory skipjack tuna.

The agreement includes a protocol to fish up to 7,000 tonnes per annum - around 156 fishing days or 12 per cent of the Cook Islands' 1250 fishing day quota.

The Secretary of Marine Resources, Ben Ponia told Don Wiseman what happens next.

Listen

Purse Seine fishing Photo: Supplied