Full details of the Quota Management System
The Quota Management System (QMS) has changed a number of times since its inception in 1986.
A detailed account of the historic and current regulations surrounding it is provided in a paper by Motu Economic and Public Policy Research (updated in April 2007). Refer to the documents below.
The paper covers issues like setting catch levels to ensure sustainability; allocation, trade and holding of quota; indigenous rights; recreational and commercial fishing; recovering costs from the industry; and future directions.
Introduction pages i-viii.
Title page, abstract and table of content.
Download Introduction Pages (PDF 78kb)
Chapter 1 - Preface
Introduction to the report – documenting how the unique nature of the QMS has made it a natural case study for the use of quota based systems for resource management and has generated interest, from researchers and policy makers in how the system functions and its successfulness in achieving sustainability goals.
Download Chapter 1 - Preface (PDF 22kb)
Chapter 2 - Setting catch levels to ensure sustainability
How harvest levels are set in the QMS, including determining the spatial scale that species are managed at, the process for setting sustainable harvest levels and the allocation of catch between different fishing sectors.
Download Chapter 2 - Setting catch levels to ensure sustainability (PDF 247kb)
Chapter 3 - Allocation, Trade and Holding of Quota
The various mechanisms used in the implementation of the QMS for allocating quota to fishers, followed by a discussion of the controls on quota and annual catch entitlement trading.
Download Chapter 3 - Allocation, Trade and Holding of Quota (PDF 96kb)
Chapter 4 - Indigenous Rights
Under the Treaty of Waitangi and subsequent fisheries legislation, Maori had the un-extinguished rights to the use of marine resources, although the practical implications were not always appreciated. This chapter follows the changing awareness of Maori fishing rights over time with a special focus on Maori fishing claims in the context of the QMS. The developments regarding Maori fishing claims and their impact on the QMS are discussed in detail from the initial opposition to the system, through to the settlement of customary and commercial fishing claims.
Download Chapter 4 - Indigenous Rights (PDF 87kb)
Chapter 5 - Recreational and Commercial Fishing
The legislative attempts to manage the relationship between commercial and recreational fishing, and some of the conflicts that can arise between these two bodies.
Download Chapter 5 - Recreational and Commercial Fishing (PDF 54kb)
Chapter 6 - Recovering Costs from the Industry
The changes that have occurred regarding the collection of costs, both pecuniary and non-pecuniart associated with running the QMS from the commercial fishing industry. This includes initial resource rentals, cost recovery, the Fisheries Act 1996 and the amendments in 1999 and 2004.
Download Chapter 6 - Recovering Costs from the Industry (PDF 50kb)
Chapter 7 - Catch Balancing
The different mechanisms available to quota holders over the years to match catch with quota holdings.
Download Chapter 7 - Catch Balancing (PDF 48kb)
Chapter 8 - Future Directions
Like all management systems the QMS will continue to change to adapt to future conditions. Current options for further changes to the QMS are outlined in this chapter.
Download Chapter 8 - Future Directions (PDF 46kb)
References
References cited in the report.
Download References (PDF 140kb)