The aid will also help the country deal with threats from over-fishing and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

The mission is also a means of deterring unregulated and unreported fishing activity, on behalf of several Pacific island countries.

No illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing was detected, which the agency said was a sign the region's strict regulations and surveillance measures were working.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, has praised Spain for prosecuting its vessels in the Southern Ocean for illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing.

New Zealand is giving the Forum Fisheries Agency $US3.3 million dollars to help stop illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing in the Pacific.