N.Z. assistance and international fishing agreements : U.S. agreements with Niue and Tokelau

Abstract

The research problem in this thesis examines the constraints facing Niue and Tokelau in their international relations with the world's major fishing nations. Such external relations include the surveillance of international fishing activities and the licensing of foreign fishing vessels. As a research approach, this study reviews N.Z. assistance as bargaining methods whereby Polynesia's smaller island states can overcome their handicaps and negotiate binding fisheries agreements. In particular, these methods focus on a case study of U.S. fishing agreements with N.Z., acting on behalf of Niue and Tokelau. The U.S. agreements under consideration date to 1980 and are part of the government's de-colonisation strategies in Polynesia. In this study, such policies intend to promote economic independence by collecting licence fees from American vessels. Previous research, however, suggests that U.S. licence fees to Polynesia are significantly lower than similar contract terms with the small island state of Kiribati. The unique feature of this thesis stems from its focus on N.Z. bargaining methods as policies which contribute to weak contract terms with American fishing interests. As a policy evaluation, this research compares the American agreement with N.Z. and Polynesia to the U.S./ Kiribati contract. Indicators of N.Z. policies are the contract terms of licence fees and registered vessels. Data from both agreements show large disparities in the U.S. terms with Niue and Tokelau and those terms which are not part of N.Z.'s de-colonisation programmes. As a result, these findings lead to the conclusion that N.Z. assistance provides a less effective method by which small island states can overcome their constraints and negotiate international fishing agreements.