Departmental Output Expense – Fisheries Operations

Description

This provides for:

• the development of standards, guidelines, regulations, fisheries plans and processes that make the fisheries policy framework operational
• services to monitor the delivery of contracted and devolved registry services to ensure consistency and compliance with contracted or devolved standards
• implementation of Fisheries Deed of Settlement obligations
• 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.

Objectives

• Allocate rights to utilise fisheries resources
• Develop fisheries plans to outline the Crown’s contribution to achieving fisheries outcomes
• Evaluate fisheries plans in order to provide advice to the Minister
• Enable tangata whenua to participate effectively in fisheries management
• Monitor the management of New Zealand fisheries
• Develop and implement standards for the management of fisheries resources
• 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 fisheries plans and standards
• implementation the Government’s Marine Protected Areas Strategy
• advice on marine reserve applications
• advice on proposed aquaculture management areas
• implementation of regulatory amendments
• implementation of the Government’s aquaculture reforms.

Expected Results	Actual Performance
Complete a programme for the development of Fisheries Plans by 30 September 2006 and continue he development of fisheries plans based on this agreed programme of work.	The Fisheries Plan development programme plan was completed and approved prior to 30 September 2006. Fisheries plan development is progressing in accordance with the programme plan.
Evaluate and provide recommendations to the Minister on fisheries plans wihin three months of receipt of the final draft of a plan.	No fisheries plans have been received to date.
The intitial set of generic and interim standards for fisheries plans will be developed by 30 December 2006.	A Standards definition document has been prepared along with draft standards on: Consultation Harvest strategy (TAC settings) Introduction of species into the QMS. This set of documents was sent to stakeholders for consultation. The deadline of 30 December 2006 was not met because of two extensions to the consultation period, both at the request of stakeholders. Consultation has now been completed. The issues raised by stakeholders are being analysed. Development on the draft standards is taking place.
As and when required, concurrence reports on marine reserve applications will be provided to the Minister of Fisheries following receipt of a request by the Minister of Convservation within a timeframe agreed with the Minister of Fisheries for each request, and within the terms of the Marine Reserves Protocol.	The Ministry continued to progress the concurrence process for the proposed Great Barrier Island Marine Reserve. Concurrence for the Tapuae (New Plymouth) Marine Reserve was achieved during the year.
As and when required, a reservation or determination is issued within the timeframes set in section 186E of the Fisheries Act 1996 to the relevant regional council following receipt of advice from the council that an aquaculture management area is proposed.	No new Aquaculture Management Areas have been created to date.
Final advice papers provided to the Minister of Fisheries on the proposed sustainability measures and management controls to be implemented for the 1 October 2006 and 1 April 2007 fishing years will be completed in sufficient time to implement decisions prior to the relevant fishing year.	Final advice for the October 2006 sustainability round was completed on 4 September 2006. Final advice for regulatory measures to be implemented by 1 April 2007 was completed in November 2006.
Final advice papers will be provided to the Minister of Fisheries by 30 June 2007 on: Setting out the TACs/TACCs for new species to be introduced into the QMS on 1 October 2007 and Proposing new species to be introduced into the QMS on 1 October 2008.	Final advice for setting out the TACCs/TACCs for new species to be introduced into the QMS on 1 October 2007 was completed on the 24 May 2007. The advice on introductions for October 2008 was not completed by 30 June 2007. The process for 2008 introductions is following a new, extended timeframe incorporating additional stakeholder consultation. The new process still provides for species to be introduced into the QMS on 1 October 2008.

Deed of Settlement implemented

Explanation

This provides for the delivery of many of the services needed to fulfil the Ministry’s Treaty and Fisheries Deed of Settlement obligations. It includes Pou Hononga, Extension and other resources to build and maintain relationships, develop capacity within tangata whenua to manage customary access and assistance with use of customary management tools.

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. Breaches of standards are to be managed in accordance with the auditing, monitoring and sanctions policy approved by the Minister of Fisheries.	The requirements have been met, with all reports provided on time.
By 1 October 2006, allocate quota for species declared by the Minister to be subject to the Quota Management System for 1 October 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.	Allocations have been made wihin the required quality standards and timeframes.
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 2007, to be implemented by that date; the allocations 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 allocation of fish stocks for 1 October 2007 is on schedule.

Statutory decision processes administered

Explanation

This output provides for fisheries management advice on:

• freshwater farm applications
• administration of existing marine and freshwater farm authorisations
• the issuing of special permits
• management of transitional aquaculture registrations under the Fisheries Act 1996.

Expected Results	Actual Performance
95% of all applications made under the Freshwater Fish Farming Regulations 1983, transitional issues and applications for fish farm registration under the Fisheries Act 1996 will be determined within six months of the date of receipt.	Applications processed:2 new, 1 variation. All applications were processed within the six-month standard. Applications on hand:5. Three applications were processed later than the six-month standard due to legislative issues. Transitional applicastions on hand (forfeiture applications being completed under Marine Farming Act):10
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.	95% of applications for the year have been determined to the required standard: 38 applications have been processed. Two applications have taken longer than six months to complete because of the time needed to resolve iwi relationship and consultation issues. There are currently 2 applications on hand, both of which were received within six months.

Aquaculture permit applications processed

Explanation

This output provides for fisheries management advice on management of the backlog of permit applications under the Fisheries Act 1983.

Expected Results	Actual Performance
The Ministry will resolve all applications made under the Fisheries Act 1983 by 1 July 2008.	There are currently 35 backlog priority list applications to complete.

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 quaterly 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. Breaches of standards are to be managed in accordance with the auditing, monitoring and sanctions policy approved by the Minister of Fisheries.	The requirements have been met, with all reports provided on time.
By 1 October 2006, allocate quota for species declared by the Minister oto be suject to the Quota Management System for 1 October 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 the at species and stock.	Allocations have been made within the required quality standards and timeframes.
Ensure sufficient progress is made to enable quota for species declared by the Minister to be subject ot the Quota Management System for 1 October 2007, 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 allocation of fish stocks for 1 October 2007 is on schedule.

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 specific 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, provided advice to Ministers on the fishing-releated impacts of biosecurity decisions.	The Ministry provides advice on the fishing-related impacts of biosecurity decisions indirectly to Ministers through its participation in a range of biosecurity forums and projects on strategic goals for marine biosecurity. Included in this advice was input into Strategic Priorities for the Pest Management work plan, to review progress across projects and roeport back to Central/Regional Biosecurity Coordination Group (BCG).
Provide MAF, as the lead biosecurity agency, with advice and support from a fisheries management perspective on the formulation of strategic goals for the marine biosecurity risks. This advice should wherever possible help to mimimise the risks to the aquatic environment from biosecurity threats. Work will be done in accordance with timelines and priorities determined by MAF in consultation with other interested agencies, including MFish.	The Ministry provides input and advice to Biosecurity New Zealand on relevant marine biosecurity issues, in particular incursion response and pest management issues. Included in this advice was the Ministry's response to the draft Biosecurity Science Research and Technology Standards for 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
In accordance with the work programme for the implementation of the Marine Protected Area Policy, by 30 June 2007 work will have been undertaken to finalise Stage One of the Policy and implemented Stage Two.	Work on the classification and protection standard is proceeding. A consultation paper for stakeholders outlining options for the proection standard and the classification system was released for consultation in June 2007.
The Ministry intends to have Cabinet decisions on the fishing industry proposals for Benthic Protected Areas in the deepwater environment by 22 December 2006.	The Bethnic Protected Areas (BPA) proposal was approved by Cabinet on 9 April 2007. The delay was due to the longer-than=-expected discussions with industry to finalise and agreed proposal.
A Threat Management Plan for Hector's and Maui's dolphins will be sent to the Minister of Fisheries and Minister of Conservation by 31 December 2006.	This milestone has been deferred to the 2007/08 year. A project plan for development of the Threat Management Plan has been completed. An information brief has also been completed An expert panel and advisory group have been appointed and have met. The threats facing the dolphins have been identified and managed. Development of the Threat Management Plan has been delayed to allow for new scientific analysis to be incorporated and for proper input and particidpation of stakeholders. The Minister of Fisheries has agreed to this delay. Interim measures to manage urgent risks to dolphin populations ahead of the Threat Management Plan were implemented by Gazette Notice in December 2006.
Planning and prioritisation of the next phase for the implementation of the New Zealand Biodivesity Strategy following completion of the five year review will be undertaken by 30 June 2007.	The Ministry provided input to a Cabinet paper prepared by the Deparment of Conservation noting the recommendations from Chief Executives on priorities for continued implementation of the Biodiversity Strategy. A press statement, synthesis report and the theme report have been released.