integration and accountability

Marine reserve applications

The Ministry provides concurrence advice to the Minister of Fisheries once the Minister of Conservation decides to apply for an Order-in-Council to declare an area a marine reserve.

In September 2004, the Ministry provided the Minister with a second concurrence advice paper on the Glenduan (North Nelson) marine reserve application. In March 2005 the Minister granted his concurrence. The Ministry is formulating concurrence advice on five other marine reserve applications and continues to work with the Department of Conservation on applications that are at earlier stages in the application process.

The application process requires a close working relationship between the Ministry and the Department. The Marine Reserve Protocol that went into effect in August 2003 guides the two agencies’ collaborative work. The purpose of the Protocol is to ensure the statutory requirements of the Marine Reserves Act 1971 are met, which includes the Minister of Fisheries making an independent decision on an application once the Minister of Conservation has requested the Minister of Fisheries’ concurrence to declare an area a marine reserve.

 

IMPROVING MONITORING AND REPORTING

Fisheries indicators provide some understanding of the performance of the fisheries sector. They are also one way in which we can measure progress towards achievement of the fisheries outcome of maximising the value of fisheries to New Zealand. The development of these indicators was signalled in the Statement of Intent for 2004-2008 and will be continued in 2005/06.