Fishermen plan to stay in Mir splash down zone

Fishermen in the South Pacific say they will risk being hit by the Mir space station because the fishing is good.

Boat crews know all about Russia's plans to dump the craft in the sea but are refusing to move.

They say they have had a bad year and are willing to take their chances while the tuna are biting.

New Zealand maritime authorities warned about 30 American Samoa-based tuna fishermen about Mir.

But Wayne Heikkila, general manager of the Western Fishboat Owners' Association, said: "The fish are biting in that area and it has been a tough year for them so far, so they are staying."

He said they had made an informed choice and added: "I told the guys to have their video cameras ready."

Debris from Mir is expected to hit on Friday somewhere in the South Pacific between New Zealand and Chile.