Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Cook Islands’ cruise boat gets fined for scuba operation in Solomon Islands

Posted at 22:18 on 02 November, 2009 UTC

The Temotu provincial government in Solomon Islands has fined the master of a Cook Islands’ registered cruise vessel for operating scuba diving around its reefs.

The province’s senior fisheries officer, Luke Paul, says he was fined for breaches of the Fisheries Act, but the Provincial Tourism Minister, Father Thomas Natei, says the fine was for breaking tourism regulations.

Meanwhile the ship’s Honiara agents say the action taken by the Temotu provincial government could hinder tourism development in the province.

Police ordered the vessel to leave the province after the master paid the fine.