The Government has received the ministerial inquiry report on foreign charter vessels that fish in New Zealand waters.
The inquiry was ordered in July last year after reports of appalling conditions and very low pay for the crews of the ships.
Primary Industries Minister David Carter and Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says they will consider the report before announcing any decisions.
When the inquiry was set up Ms Wilkinson said the Government was concerned by reports that some foreign vessels were not complying with employment requirements including crew working conditions and safety standards.
Phil Heatley, fisheries minister at the time, said it was essential that "robust employment protection" which existed in New Zealand was reflected at sea.
The inquiry was undertaken by a panel headed by former Labour cabinet minister Paul Swain.
It's likely to be several weeks before the report is made public.
The crew of the Korean-flagged Oyang 75, a foreign charter vessel working in New Zealand waters, abandoned the boat in Lyttelton last year claiming physical and verbal abuse and underpayment.
This week, a report by a US investigative journalist claimed at least nine ships that had operated in New Zealand's waters were guilty of abusive labour practices involving Indonesian crew.
NZN