Departmental output expense - Fisheries Information
Description
This departmental output expense covers research and other activities relating to gathering and analysing data about New Zealand's fisheries to support decisions about sustainable utilisation, and the provision of information on the biodiversity of New Zealand's marine environment. Research costs represent existing projects that have been consulted on in past years, and proposed new projects.
It contains three outputs:
- Utilisation and sustainability of New Zealand's fisheries resources measured
- Biodiversity of New Zealand's marine environment estimated
- Observer services provided.
Objectives
Provide the information required to ensure the sustainable utilisation of New Zealand's fisheries resources, by scientifically evaluating:
- sustainable yields from, and status of, fisheries resources
- the effects of fishing on the aquatic environment, including on the viability of associated or dependent species, and on biological diversity
- alternative strategies for achieving the desired level of yield while avoiding, remedying or mitigating adverse effects of fishing on the aquatic environment
- analysis of relevant cultural factors that may need to be included in the management decision process
- the specific measures needed to implement the appropriate management strategy.
Utilisation and sustainability of New Zealand's fisheries resources measured
Explanation
As an input into current and future fisheries management decisions, fisheries research needs are identified, projects undertaken and results reported to provide increased information on:
- estimates of biomass and sustainable yields for fish stocks
- effects of fishing on the aquatic environment, including biodiversity and bycatch species
- relevant social, cultural and economic factors that may be included in the management decision process
- non-commercial harvest levels.
The Ministry contributes to the maintenance of sustainable fisheries in New Zealand through research designed to increase information on stock status levels, and add to the body of knowledge used to advise the Minister of Fisheries on appropriate utilisation for future years. Research is undertaken on individual fisheries at a frequency necessary to ensure the stock is not decreased through overfishing, thereby maintaining its value, and to enable the Ministry to maintain the currency of the information. This output also includes the costs associated with the capacity required to maintain the fisheries research programme.
The individual research projects proposed for consultation can be found on the Ministry's web site www.fish.govt.nz/current/soi-consultation/index.html
| Expected Results |
Actual Performance |
| By 31 August 2005, produce medium term research plans in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the document 'Format and Content of Project Summaries and Medium Term Plans proposed by the Research Planning Group' dated 9 July 2001) |
12 medium term research plans were updated for the 2005 research planning round. |
| By 2 December 2005, produce research proposals for 2006/07 in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the document 'Format and Content of Project Summaries and Medium Term Plans proposed by the Research Planning Group' dated 9 July 2001) |
The research proposals were ompleted on 2 December 2005. |
By 30 November 2005, produce a report from the Mid-Year Fishery Assessment Plenary in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the Fisheries Research Services 2003/2004
Tender Document - Part II: A - Appendix II B, Form 2 and Appendix III B) |
The report was published and sent to the Minister on 30 November 2005. |
By 27 May 2006, produce a report from the Fishery Assessment Plenary in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the Fisheries Research
Services 2003/2004 Tender Document: Part II: A - Appendix II B, Form 2 and Appendix III B) |
The report was published and sent to the Minister on 31 May 2006. |
Biodiversity of New Zealand's marine environment estimated
Explanation
In order to implement the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy and support the environmental principles set out in section 9 of the Fisheries Act 1996, the Ministry needs to collect high quality baseline information. There is currently a lack of information in this area which limits our ability to meet the aims of:
- Protecting the richness and health of the marine biodiversity of New Zealand and the Ross Sea region
- Getting the best value from the marine biodiversity of New Zealand.
| Expected Results |
Actual Performance |
| By 31 October 2005, produce medium term research plans in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the document 'Format and Content of Project Summaries and Medium Term Plans proposed by the Research Planning Group' dated 9 July 2001) |
The medium term research plans have been substantially revised and updated. However, due to changes to key personnel, the plans are yet to be signed off by the Biodiversity Research Advisory Group. It is anticipated this will occur by December 2006. This will in no way affect our understanding of the biodiversity of New Zealand's marine environment. |
| By 28 February 2006, produce research proposals for 2006/07 in accordance with the quality standards (as defined in the document 'Format and Content of Project Summaries and Medium Term Plans proposed by the Research Planning Group' dated 9 July 2002) |
The research proposals have been completed. Three contracts have been awarded with one further contract under negotiation. |
| Within one month of acceptance of the electronic copy of the report, place research reports on the Biodiversity web site www.biodiversity.govt.nz |
Electronic copies of all reports have been prepared for access through the new Ministry of Fisheries web site, which will be linked to the Biodiversity web site. Discussions with the Department of Conservation ('DOC') have indicated that the website is not currently being maintained; it is anticipated that the report will be posted on the Biodiversity web site by the end of August 2006, once the web site has been updated by DOC. |
Observer services provided
Explanation
Observers provide an independent source for the collection of high quality information from fishing operations. This is a valuable input into the management of New Zealand's fisheries resources, particularly the setting of sustainability levels and management controls.
Observer services are also used by external agencies (eg the fishing industry and the Department of Conservation (DOC) to gather specific information for those agencies and as an input into their management requirements. Provision of observer services is based on the Ministry's capacity to supply the requisite number of observers with the required skill levels to cover requests from internal and external sources.
| Expected Results |
Actual Performance |
| Information and/or data collected by observers throughout the year, in accordance with agreed client specifications |
Client specifications include Bio-manuals, DOC specifications and Ministry of Fisheries Compliance specifications. Specifications are supplemented by protocols for warp strike observations and hoki stomach sampling. Observers are issued with specifications relevant to each trip at the time of pre-trip briefing. Actual data collected is reviewed against the relevant specifications during the post-trip debriefing. The observer trip performance assessment highlights, for future action, areas for data collection improvement. |
| Observer coverage delivered for an average cost not exceeding $500 per day, excluding GST |
The cost of observer coverage was $597 per day. |
| Observer coverage (sea days) delivered to within +/- 10% of the agreed annual plan at either a species level or fishing area(s)/method level, depending on client specification |
Coverage achieved in levied fisheries was 4,791 days against a plan of 5,675 days, an achievement of 84%. The coverage target of +/- 10% of plan was achieved in 18 of the 32 levied fisheries (56%) at a species/fishing area level. |
| Clear and transparent processes are operated to identify variations to the observer annual plan, and communicate these changes to clients and stakeholders |
Actual observer coverage against plan was updated monthly and posted on the Ministry of Fisheries web site. Stakeholders were advised by email of the availability of the monthly update. |
| Effective processes are in place to implement any changes required to the plan through the course of the operating year |
Coverage was adjusted throughout the year in response to client-requested changes in the coverage plan. |