SEVEN NEW SPECIES INTO QMS

1 October 2003

Seven new fish species entered the Quota Management System (QMS) today:

• Longfin Eels (Chatham Islands)
• Shortfin Eels (Chatham Islands)
• Kina (North Island)
• Kingfish
• Leatherjacket
• Rough Skate
• Smooth Skate.

Expansion of QMS became possible in 2001, when the Fisheries Act 1996 was fully implemented. Since then, the Ministry of Fisheries (MFish) has designed a process aimed at introducing all fisheries requiring management into the QMS in the quickest time possible. MFish National Manager, Fisheries Management Mike Arbuckle says this will bring the full potential of the QMS to bear in addressing the problems of fisheries management.

"The transfer price of quota will become linked to the total value of mixed fisheries, and not just the value of individual stocks," he said.

"Fishers will have increased incentives to minimise catch of these vulnerable stocks by adopting environmentally sensitive technologies. These incentives are weaker where fewer species are managed under the QMS. The introduction process now in effect is moving the QMS towards being a mixed species management tool rather than a single stock."

The total number of species in the QMS in 2001 was 45, and the Ministry of Fisheries is targeting a further 50 species over the three year period ending 1 October 2004. This includes fisheries that are fully developed and those that have no or only partial development. To meet this target, 11 species were introduced into the QMS in 2002 and the remainder are to be considered for introduction into the QMS over the next two years.