Ministry of Fisheries announces new provider of registry-based services (23 July 1999)

Ministry of Fisheries Chief Executive Warwick Tuck today announced the signing of an outsourcing agreement with Commercial Fisheries Services Ltd (FishServe), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Seafood Industry Council (SeaFIC), and Datacom Employer Services Ltd.

The Ministry will continue to responsible for the delivery of registry services and will retain major functions relating to:

• Specifying the level of services
• Monitoring and auditing the delivery of those services
• Ownership of the data
• Custodial responsibilities for the databases

Services affected by the outsourcing include the management of quota, permit, vessel and catch registers and their associated transactions, which will be provided by FishServe and Datacom as the Ministry's delivery agents.

"Ultimately I am still responsible directly to the Minister for the effective delivery of these services. I am satisfied this contract allows the services to be effectively delivered and for me to monitor performance against contracted service levels," Mr Tuck said.

Under the new arrangement approximately 70 Ministry staff move to Datacom Employer Services Ltd, who will provide registry-based services under sub-contract to FishServe.

The management contract is being managed within existing budgets for the Ministry and is consistent with Government decisions that registry services be devolved to an industry-owned body.

It is designed to ensure a seamless transition between the Ministry of Fisheries delivery of existing registry services and the building and delivery of new services required under the Fisheries Amendment Bill currently before the Primary Production Select Committee.

"FishServe is the only company with the finances, support of quota holders and the capacity to meet the Ministry's requirements under this proposed contractual arrangement. I am satisfied that this is the best option for ensuring continuity of registry services while protecting the Crown's interests," said Mr Tuck.

In the short term, fishers are unlikely to see much change through their dealings with FishServe, as the transition has been managed with very little disruption to operations. Registry Services will continue to operate from Feltex House, in Wellington, using the existing phone number, and postal address. The 0800 788228 service will still operate as before.