OUTPUT 53 RECREATIONAL FISHING RULES ENFORCED

DESCRIPTION

A compliance capacity is provided to take action in recreational fisheries to encourage compliance and deter offending. These actions include monitoring, detection and provision of recommendations to prosecute.

EXPLANATION

The Ministry maintains a capacity to monitor fishing activity and to investigate those cases where it is suspected that illegal activity has, or is, taking place. The purpose is to maintain the value of New Zealand's fisheries resources, to apprehend those who indulge in illegal activities and to deter others from that approach.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS

Output 53-performance expectations table.
Dimension Description
Quality

All results achieved to specified quality standards.

Cost Actual expenditure is within the range of 90% - 110% of the budgeted amount.
Time All agreed results achieved within the specified timeframes.

RESULTS

Output 53- results table.
Milestone Quality & timeliness Commentary

Compliance monitoring and enforcement operations developed and undertaken in accordance with Compliance business policies and the Fishery Officers' Manual

Quality undertaken in accordance with the prescriptions of the Fishery Officers' Manual. Compliance activities are of an ongoing nature.

The recreational fishing monitoring programme involves routine inspections and enquiries to determine levels of compliance with legislative provisions. Honorary Fishery Officers (HFOs) are actively involved in monitoring activities.

There is a North Island team, based in Auckland, dedicated to non- commercial enforcement. 38,190 recreational fishing inspections were carried out, indicating a compliance rate of 95%.

In the South Island there were 7,335 recreational inspections carried out, indicating a compliance rate of 96%.

1,288 Non-Commercial Infringement Notices were issued for recreational and customary infringements ($250 and $500 notices).

The 2004/05 Ministry annual report will contain summaries of operations conducted during the year Achieved 20 recreational rules enforcement operations resulted in:

• the detection of offences (7 operations)
• the education of fishers (7 operations)
• the gaining of intelligence (5 operations)
• the conclusion of training (1 operation).

When offences were detected, the most likely outcome was the issue of infringement notices. Warnings were also given to recreational fishers and in some cases prosecution resulted.

Updated : 16 November 2007