DEVOLUTION OF ALC REGISTRY SERVICES

The Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) is consulting on a proposal to devolve the functions, duties and powers to register Automatic Location Communicators (ALC) and ALC Type Approvals. MFish welcomes written submissions on the proposal by 9 May 2007.

Executive Summary

1. In early 2006 the New Zealand Seafood Industry Council (SeaFIC) requested that the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) consider a proposal to devolve to them functions, duties and powers associated with the registration of Automatic Location Communicators (ALC). MFish has undertaken an extensive review of the risks and benefits of adopting this proposal.
2. There are no ALC functions, duties and powers currently devolved to SeaFIC. ALC registry services are contracted from MFish to a Service Delivery Agency (SDA), Commercial Fisheries Services Ltd (FishServe). ALC registry services consist of the functions, duties and powers to register ALCs and ALC Type Approvals.
3. Under the proposal, the MFish Chief Executive would retain the power to issue circulars specifying ALC standards and requirements and the power to condition ALC registrations.
4. The proposal is a logical extension to the present situation, where all vessel registration functions, duties and powers (to which ALCs are linked) are currently devolved.
5. The principle benefits from the proposal will be from efficiency gains in management processes and convenience for the fishing industry. Delivering vessel and ALC registry services together will minimise overlap and streamline registration processes (e.g. through the design of joint application forms and increased use of online services).

 Download Devolution of ALC Registry Services - Consultation Document (PDF 45kb)

 Download Letter to Stakeholders - ALC Registry Services (PDF 14kb)