1 OCTOBER 2001: LANDMARK DAY FOR COMMERCIAL FISHERIES

1 October 2001

The Chief Executives of the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish), Warwick Tuck, and the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council (SeaFIC), John Valentine, say today, 1 October 2001, is a landmark day for New Zealand's commercial fishing industry.

"Today marks the official changeover for the seafood industry to take responsibility for many administrative functions, from the Chief Executive of the Ministry of Fisheries," they said in a joint press statement.

"This change occurs at the same time as the Fisheries Act 1996 fully commences. Administrative functions such as the registration of quota sales and the registration of fishing vessels will now be the responsibility of SeaFIC. Other registry services, such as issuing permits, will continue to be delivered by SeaFIC under contract to the Ministry of Fisheries.

"This is the culmination of two years of cooperative work between the Ministry and the industry. The outcome of this collaboration will give commercial fishers far more responsibility for the management of their own day-to-day operating, and greater flexibility."

MFish Chief Executive Warwick Tuck acknowledged the hard work and commitment the commercial fishing industry had made, along with Ministry staff. "This joint programme shows how industry and the Ministry of Fisheries can work together for their mutual advantage," he said.

SeaFIC Chief Executive John Valentine said the changeover was a significant step forwards in New Zealand fisheries management. "This marks a long awaited opportunity for the industry to tangibly show its support for the Government's fisheries reforms," he said.

"Part of this has involved successful development of a new computer system to run the new quota registry."

Dr Valentine particularly commended the efforts of FishServe General Manger Lesley Campbell and all her New Registry Programme team in developing the system.

For further information please contact
Ministry of Fisheries: Russell Burnard, Manager, Service Delivery,
Tel 04 470 2618
Mob 025 448 024