Environmental Certification Fund
Purpose
MFish’s Environmental Certification Fund provides grants to assist the seafood industry with the costs of seeking an independent environmental certification or assessment of their fisheries or aquaculture activities.
Its objective is to promote environmental certification and other independent sustainability assessments as a tool to:
- Enable the New Zealand seafood industry to respond to growing pressure for environmental sustainability;
- Promote and improve the management and environmental performance of New Zealand fishing and aquaculture, including impacts of fishing and aquaculture on the aquatic environment;
- Build public confidence in the management of New Zealand fishing and aquaculture;
- Raise the profile of New Zealand’s seafood sector.
Recipients of 2008-09 Grants
Three grants were awarded in the 2008-09 funding round as follows:
- The Deepwater Group Ltd - $33,350 – grant towards a Marine Stewardship Council confidential pre-assessment of several EEZ fisheries.
- Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company Ltd - $43,625 – grant towards a Marine Stewardship Council full assessment of the Southern Scallop fishery.
- The Tuna Management Association - $43,625 – grant towards a Marine Stewardship Council full assessment of the Southern Pacific Albacore Tuna troll fishery within New Zealand waters.
Any questions relating to the certification process being undertaken should be directed to the grant recipients.
Who can apply?
Any individual, organisation or group of organisations who are seeking independent environmental certification or assessment of a New Zealand aquaculture activity or New Zealand fishery within the EEZ or High Seas may apply.
What can the environmental assessment relate to?
The assessment can relate to:
- The sustainability of the target stock
- The ecological impacts of fishing or aquaculture
- Pollution or waste management
- Energy conservation
- Climate change issues associated with seafood harvest, production and transport
- Organic issues and labelling
The assessment scheme must be independent and credible.
Grants
Grants can be made to cover up to 75% of the certification or assessment fees.
Applicant must provide a written quote from the certifiers or assessor with their application.
Assessment criteria
Applications are assessed relative to each other using the following criteria and weightings:
- Contribution to fund objectives (40%): Whether the assessment would further the purpose of the fund.
- Cost effectiveness (30%): The overall value for money based on an assessment of the benefits, opportunities, costs and risks.
- Ability to deliver (30%): The ability, knowledge and commitment of the applicant to complete the process and the level of engagement with other stakeholders
Asessment Panel
The Assessment Panel for the Environmental Certification Fund is made up to three MFish staff and one external person and is appointed by the chief executive for each funding round.
Contracting and reporting expectations
Successful applicants must sign a grant contract and provide progress reports on the assessment process.
Grants are paid in instalments tied to reaching agreed stages in the assessment process.
How to apply
MFish runs at least one funding round per year.
Environmental Certification Fund Timeframes 2009-10 funding year
- Applications open - 4 May 2009
- Applications close – 22 June 2009
- Assessment and notification of results of application – August 2009
Those interested in applying may also register their interest between funding rounds by emailing certificationfund@fish.govt.nz
For further information, a brochure on the Environmental Certification Fund, a guide book, an application form and the application assessment form can be downloaded below.
Environmental Certification Fund - Purpose and Information (PDF 168KB)
Environmental Certification Fund - Guide for Applicants (PDF 243KB)
Environmental Certification Fund - Application Form (DOC 340KB)
Environmental Certification Fund - Panel Assessment Form (DOC 574KB)
The Environmental Certification Client Funding Agreement and Standard Terms and Conditions can be downloaded below:
Client Funding Agreement and Standard Terms and Conditions (PDF 106KB)
For any other enquiries please email certificationfund@fish.govt.nz