Legal loopholes that leave enforcement agencies helpless against offshore protests and protestors are to be closed, says Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges.

Jail terms and heavy fines are contained in a supplementary order paper to be tabled in parliament, which makes two new offences relating to protests against offshore petroleum and mineral activity.

Police board the The San Pietro.

A jail term of up to 12 months or a fine not exceeding $50,000, or in the case of a body corporate, a fine not exceeding $100,000 is penalty available for intentional damage to and interference with mining structures and vessels, and interference with their activities being carried out under a Crown Minerals Act permit.

Breaching a minimum non-interference distance of (up to 500metres) carries a fine of up to $10,000.

The Government is also proposing that police or defence force personnel in command of a New Zealand Defence Force vessel be deemed enforcement officers, with powers to board, arrest and detain.

In widely publicised protests against a Petrobras survey off East Cape in April 2011, a RNZN inshore patrol boat was widely seen in television coverage of the event, but fishing boat skipper Elvis Teddy was arrested when his boat was boarded by armed police of the special tactics group.

'The changes address a gap in the current legislation. They provide an effective deterrent, and readily workable operational powers, to act against unlawful interference with legitimate exploration and production activities,” says Simon.

'There have been attempts to seriously disrupt lawful mining and related activities in recent times. These types of actions can impose significant costs on companies carrying out legitimate activities under permits, and present very serious health and safety risks.”