Discarding at Sea Strategy

In New Zealand the Quota Management System provides a sound basis for fisheries management, but both MFish and the seafood industry recognise that there is scope for improvement. One specific area of interest is in the management of discarding of fish at sea.

MFish and the seafood industry are reviewing the current framework for managing unwanted catch, to ensure a clearer and more practical approach to managing this issue - in a way that maintains the integrity of New Zealand’s fisheries management.

There are many reasons why some catch is returned to the sea. In some cases the law says that it must be returned to the sea (for example in the case of species with minimum size limits). In other cases, the practical difficulties involved in avoiding or landing unwanted catch can provide incentives for returning it to the sea.

MFish and the industry are carrying out a collaborative review that aims to:

• develop a better understanding of the different issues involved in managing unwanted catch across different species and fisheries; and
• look at how we might manage these issues more effectively and efficiently.

Recommendations will go to MFish’s Chief Executive by 30 June 2010.