Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley today avoided ruling out an inquiry into aspects of the fishing industry.
The Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU) launched a petition last week, calling on the Government to look at industry's relationship with foreign fishing companies, foreign crewing of join ventures, chartered and New Zealand fishing vessels, and their effects on sustainable fishing practices, employment and communities.
Mr Heatley said the issue was a matter for the select committee; "it's not on Parliament's floor yet. I'll take an interest then".
"I do know the previous government looked at it in 2008 and the Minister of Labour made some changes back then. So it's had a good look at from the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Immigration and the Minister of Fisheries in the previous government.
"I'd be interested to see what changes they are promoting now."
SFWU assistant national secretary Neville Donaldson said 1500 New Zealand workers had lost their seafood industry jobs over the past three years and were being replaced by low-paid foreign workers.
SFWU said foreign fishing crews working for low pay in poor conditions was not fair on those workers, or on unemployed New Zealanders.
It called on the Government to ensure foreign workers were paid minimum rates, and also make sure New Zealand companies were following sustainable fishing practices and keeping New Zealand workers in jobs.
The petition was supported by the Maori, Labour and Green Parties.
Maori Party MP Rahui Katene has called on Maori to sign the petition, and questioned why so many jobs in the fishing industry were being given to foreigners.
"We need to ensure our people are being actively recruited and retained in the fisheries industry," she said.
There were up to 2500 foreign fishermen working on ships in New Zealand waters, and the catch percentage of fish stocks harvested by foreign-owned and operated fishing craft had increased from 35 percent ratio in 2003 to 46 percent now, Ms Katene said.
NZPA