INTRODUCTION OF REDBAIT INTO THE QMS ON 1 OCTOBER 2009

Between 30 January and 20 February 2009 the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) consulted on a proposal to bring redbait stocks into the QMS on 1 October 2009.

A Final Advice Paper (FAP) was provided to the Minister of Fisheries in February 2009 and the Minister has now made his decisions, which are contained in the attached decision letter.

 Download Decision Letter (PDF 65KB)

In summary the Minister has decided:

i) To introduce redbait stocks into the QMS on 1 October 2009
ii) To create four quota management areas for redbait, which are the same as those for jack mackerel (RBT1, RBT3, RBT7 and RBT10)
iii) That redbait will be subject to the 1 October fishing year; and
iv) That the TACC and ACE will be expressed in greenweight.

MFish’s FAP to the Minister is also available for download below. It includes the submissions received from stakeholders

 Download Final Advice Paper (PDF 1.14MB)
Please note this is a large document and may take some time to download.

 Download Updated Regulatory Impact Statement (PDF 98KB)

The Initial Position Paper that was made available for consultation on 30 January 2009 is also available for download below.

 Download Initial Position Paper (PDF 492KB)

Following the Minister’s decision to introduce redbait into the QMS on 1 October 2009 MFish consulted on TACs / TACCs and other management measures for redbait stocks between 22 April and 3 June. An FAP was provided to the Minister of Fisheries in June 2009 and the Minister has now made his decisions, which are contained in the attached decision letter.

 Download Decision Letter (PDF 100KB)

In summary the Minister has decided to:

1. Set a TAC of 20 tonnes for RBT1 with a TACC of 19 tonnes and an allowance for other fishing-related mortality of 1 tonne
2. Set a TAC of 2,305 tonnes for RBT3 with a TACC of 2,190 tonnes an allowance for other fishing-related mortality of 115 tonnes
3. Set a TAC of 2,991 tonnes for RBT7 with a TACC of 2,841 tonnes and an allowance for other fishing-related mortality of 150 tonnes
4. Set a TAC and TACC of 0 tonnes for RBT10
5. Amend the Fisheries (Reporting) Regulations 2001 to include reporting codes for the new redbait stocks
6. Add redbait to the 5th Schedule of the Fisheries Act 1996 i.e. a person can own quota equivalent to 45% of the combined TACCs for all redbait stocks (the default is 35%)
7. Set an annual deemed value rate of $0.50 / kg (excluding GST) and an interim deemed value rate of $0.25 / kg (excluding GST) for all redbait stocks. Differential deemed value rates will also apply up to a maximum of $1.00 /kg where catch in >100% in excess of ACE holdings.

MFish’s FAP to the Minister is available for download below. It includes submissions received from stakeholders.

 Download Final Advice Paper (PDF 1.10MB)

The Initial Position Paper that was made available for consultation on 22 April 2009 is also available for download below.

 Download Initial Position Paper (PDF 355KB)

If you require any further information about any of the Minister’s decisions please contact Aoife Martin, Manager Deepwater Fisheries, on 04 819 4675 or aoife.martin@fish.govt.nz.