Departmental output expense - Fisheries operations
Description
This provides for:
- the development of guidelines, regulations and processes that make the fisheries policy framework operational
- services to monitor the effectiveness of delivery of contracted and devolved registry services to ensure consistency and compliance with contracted or devolved standards
- the management and dissemination of information received from registry agencies for use by the Ministry in managing other output expenses
- a number of Ministry statutory decision processes
- a capacity to contribute to the formulation of strategic goals for the biosecurity system
- a capability to contribute to the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy.
It contains seven outputs:
- New Zealand fisheries utilisation and sustainability reported
- Deed of Settlement implemented
- Cost recovery process managed
- Statutory decision processes administered
- Registry services managed
- Biosecurity advice provided
- Biodiversity advice provided.
Objectives
- Allocate rights to utilise fisheries resources
- Develop management plans to outline the Crown's contribution to achieving fisheries outcomes
- Evaluate fisheries plans in order to provide advice to the Minister
- Specify, purchase and monitor the management of New Zealand fisheries
- Develop and implement standards for the management of fisheries resources
- Manage the cost recovery process
- Contribute to the advice on biosecurity issues in New Zealand
- Contribute to the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy.
New Zealand fisheries utilisation and sustainability reported
Explanation
This provides for fisheries management advice on utilisation and sustainability through:
- implementation and maintenance of the rights-based framework
- development and implementation of management plans
- evaluation of stakeholder fisheries plans
- advice on marine reserve proposals and other spatial allocation applications
- implementation of regulatory amendments
- implementation of the Government's aquaculture reforms.
| Expected Results |
Actual Performance |
| Develop 2 - 3 management plans as a 'proof of concept' and seek approval for them as fisheries plans under s11A of the Fisheries Act 1996 |
The drafts of 3 suitable fisheries plan 'proofs of concept' were completed on 30 June 2006 and sent to the Minister for his information on 7 July 2006. |
| Evaluate and provide recommendations on fisheries plans as required |
The SPO 7 stakeholder-led fisheries plan was approved by the Minister in June 2006. |
| Standards and guidelines to support fisheries management will be developed as required |
Twelve draft standards and guidelines to support fisheries management, with particular focus on those required for the 3 'proof-of-concept' management plans have been developed. |
As and when required, concurrence reports on marine reserve proposals will be provided to the Minister of Fisheries following receipt of a request by the Minister of Conservation: - within an agreed timeframe for each request
- within the terms of the Marine Reserves Protocol
|
Concurrence reports on the following marine reserve proposals were provided to the Minister of Fisheries: - Whangarei Harbour (31 July 2005)
- Volkner Rocks (9 September 2005)
- Paraninihi (12 September 2005).
|
| A fi nal advice paper is provided to the Minister of Fisheries on the proposed sustainability measures and management controls to be implemented for the 1 October 2005 fishing year |
The advice paper was approved by the Minister of Fisheries on 28 September 2005. |
| A fi nal advice paper is provided to the Minister of Fisheries on the proposed sustainability measures and management controls to be implemented for the 1 April 2006 fishing year |
The Minister of Fisheries signed advice papers for the southern blue whiting fishery on 22 and 23 March 2006. |
| A final advice paper is provided to the Minister of Fisheries on setting out the TACs/TACCs for new species to be introduced into the QMS on 1 October 2006 |
The Minister signed the final advice paper on TAC/ TACCs on 6 June 2006. |
An interim advice paper for consultation is provided to the Minister of Fisheries on the TACs/TACCs for new species to be introduced into the QMS on
1 April 2007 |
The initial position paper was released for consultation on 22 December 2005. No April fishing year stocks were required to be reviewed. |
| Regional forums to engage with recreational fishers will be established |
All forum appointments were completed within the year. |
Deed of Settlement implemented
Explanation
This provides for the delivery of many of the services needed to fulfil the Ministry's Treaty and Deed of Settlement obligations. It includes Pou Hononga resources provided to build and maintain relationships, as well as the management of applications from tangata whenua to manage customary access.
| Expected Results |
Actual Performance |
As required, and within allowable resources, provide timely advice on the implementation of the Fisheries (Kaimoana Customary Fishing) Regulations 1998 or the Fisheries (South Island Customary Fishing) Regulations 1999, including: - appointment of Kaitiaki
- establishment of mātaitai reserves
- establishment of taiapure/local fisheries
- other customary management proposals
|
- 32 Tangata Tiaki/Tangata Kaitiaki appointments were made during the year
- The Moremore mātaitai reserve was established in late July 2005
- The Mataura River mātaitai reserve was established in late July 2005
- The Raukokore mātaitai reserve was established in late July 2005
- Akaroa Harbour taiapure-local fishery was established on 31 March 2006.
|
| Continue to establish regional forums to engage with iwi and hapū |
Eight of the twelve forums have now been established. |
Cost recovery process managed
Explanation
In accordance with the Principles established under section 262 of the Fisheries Act 1996, certain costs incurred by the Ministry of Fisheries are able to be recovered, by way of levies and other charges, from the persons/organisations for whom the fisheries and conservation services are provided.
The purpose of this service is to ensure the processes used to calculate those levies and charges conform with the provisions of the Fisheries Act 1996 and the Fisheries (Cost Recovery) Rules 2001, and that any changes are advised to stakeholders in time to meet the requirements imposed for appropriate consultation and advice on the final levies.
| Expected Results |
Actual Performance |
| Two levy orders providing the revised cost recovery levies that are consistent with Part XIV of the Fisheries Act 1996 and the Fisheries (Cost Recovery) Rules 2001, error free and meet the 28 day rule requirements for notification to affected parties. The first levy order will take effect from 1 October 2005, with the amending levy order to be in place by 1 April 2006 |
A technical error relating to one fish stock was identified in the 1 October 2005 levy order, necessitating an amending levy order for that stock on 1 January 2006. The normal amending levy order, incorporating adjustments for 2004/2005 under and over recoveries was approved by Cabinet on 26 April 2006, and gazetted on 27 April 2006. A waiver of the 28 day rule for promulgation of regulations was required. |
Statutory decision processes administered
Explanation
This output provides for fisheries management advice on:
- new marine and freshwater farm applications
- administration of existing marine and freshwater farm authorisations
- the issuing of special permits.
| Expected Results |
Actual Performance |
| The Ministry will resolve all applications made under the Marine Farming Act 1971, Fisheries Act 1983 or the Freshwater Fish Farming Regulations 1983 and applications for fish farm registration under the Fisheries Act 1996 on a timely basis |
The following applications were processed: - 147 marine farming permit decisions (preliminary or final)
- 8 variation of marine farming licences and permits
- 2 applications for a new freshwater farm
- 8 freshwater fish farm renewals and 2 variations of a fish farm licence
- 64 other transactions and variations to existing aquaculture authorisations.
There are 4 Marine Farming Act applications and 112 Fisheries Act 1983 permit applications awaiting further information. |
95% of applications for special permits will be determined within six months of the date of receipt of completed applications and to the following prescription: - appropriate consultation is carried out in accordance with section 97(2) of the Fisheries Act 1996 on each application, prior to a decision to approve or decline the application
- the purpose for which a special permit is issued is consistent with those specified in section 97(1) of the Fisheries Act 1996
- in compliance with the procedures in the Special Permit Manual
|
48 applications were processed, with only 2 outside the six months criterion - a 96% success rate. There is a balance of 4 applications on hand. None are outside the six months criterion. |
Registry services managed
Explanation
Accurate and timely registry information is collected under contract or by a devolved agency (including permit holder register, vessel registers, quota and ACE ownership, catch data) to support sustainability and utilisation decisions within each fishery. The Ministry is required to ensure contracted or devolved registry services are delivered in a manner consistent with the standards and specifications for those services
| Expected Results |
Actual Performance |
Within one month of the end of each quarter, produce quarterly reports for registry-based services, with actual performance compared against: - expectations as defined by the Minister of Fisheries in respect of services provided through the Approved Service Delivery Organisation
- expectations as defined by the Chief Executive in respect of services delivered by the Service Delivery Agency
and in accordance with the Ministry's agreed monitoring programme |
All reports were provided on time and in accordance with the defined expectations. |
| By 1 October 2005, allocate quota for species declared by the Minister to be subject to the Quota Management System for 1 October 2005, the allocation to be made in accordance with Part IV of the Fisheries Act 1996, and within the quality and timeframes defined in the Ministry's Stock Allocation Policy in respect of that species and stock |
All allocations were made within the specified timeframe. |
| By 1 April 2006, allocate quota for species declared by the Minister to be subject to the Quota Management System for 1 April 2006, the allocation to be made in accordance with Part IV of the Fisheries Act 1996, and within the quality and timeframes defined in the Ministry's Stock Allocation Policy in respect of that species and stock |
All allocations were made within the specified timeframe. |
| Ensure sufficient progress is made to enable quota for species declared by the Minister to be subject to the Quota Management System for 1 October 2006, to be implemented by that date; the allocation shall be made in accordance with Part IV of the Fisheries Act 1996, and within the quality and timeframes defined in the Ministry's Stock Allocation Policy in respect of that species and stock |
The section 18 notice was gazetted on 22 December 2005. The eligible catch notification was sent out on 31 January 2006. |
Biosecurity advice provided
Explanation
This output provides a capability for the Ministry to contribute to the formulation of strategic goals for the biosecurity system, monitor the performance of the system against specified outcomes and to provide advice on biosecurity risks to fisheries interests. The funding also enables the Ministry to provide data management and contract management services to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) following the transfer of marine biosecurity functions to MAF.
| Expected Results |
Actual Performance |
| As and when required, provide advice to Ministers on the fishing-related impacts of biosecurity decisions |
Sectoral input and advice has been provided, as required, to Biosecurity New Zealand on all relevant marine biosecurity issues that can harm the sustainable use of fisheries and any process, system, policy or strategy that minimises the risks to New Zealand's aquatic environment from biosecurity threats, in particular Undaria, Didymo and Styela clava. |
| Contribute to the development of improvements to the biosecurity system |
Sectoral input and advice has been provided into key strategic projects that help to minimise the risks to New Zealand's aquatic environment from biosecurity threats, including the marine biosecurity partnership model, the incursion response systems review, and strategic pest management priorities. |
| Provide MAF with advice and support as required on relevant biosecurity issues |
Sectoral input and advice has been provided to MAF on relevant marine biosecurity issues, in particular incursion response and pest management issues such as Undaria, Didymo and Styela clava. This input has included participation in public awareness campaigns, providing information to help in Biosecurity New Zealand's response to these threats and comment on import risk analyses of marine species into New Zealand. |
Biodiversity advice provided
Explanation
In the 2000 Budget, the Ministry was provided with additional funding to enable it to contribute to the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy. The Strategy covers a broad range of activities across several departments. This output covers a range of work designed to improve understanding of marine biological diversity and improve the management tools by which it is protected.
| Expected Results |
Actual Performance |
| Report annually on the implementation of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy |
The Ministry contributed to both the annual and five-yearly review on the implementation of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy. |