Departmental Output Expense – Fisheries Policy Advice

Description

This includes the services that ensure development and review of policy and legal frameworks to enable best value from the sustainable and efficient use of fisheries resources.

Objective

• Provide and improve a conceptual framework for the sustainable and efficient use of fisheries resources.
• Participate in the development and review of international frameworks, and implement the decisions in a domestic context.
• Provide services to the Minister of Fisheries and Select Committees as required.

New Zealand fisheries policy advice provided

Services to be provided

The services provided by the Ministry’s Fisheries Policy group over the next five years cover a range of policy development activities, in the following key areas:

Adding value to the fisheries sector

This work area deals with reforms to add value to New Zealand’s fisheries sectors, including reforms to improve the policy setting for allocation of shared fisheries (those fisheries in which commercial, recreational and Ma-ori customary fishers all have significant interests), and to improve Ministry engagement with fisheries stakeholders.

Improving environmental performance

This work area involves reforms to enhance the environmental performance of the fisheries sector, including managing the impact of fishing on the environment and at-risk species.

Developing fisheries outcomes and a monitoring approach

The focus of this work area is better prescribing fisheries management outcomes and appropriate monitoring approaches to inform the operation of an objectives-based approach to fisheries management and report on indicators of the achievement of fisheries outcomes.

Providing for the delivery of obligations to Māori

This work includes completing the Ministry’s Treaty Strategy, contributing to the settlement of the historical Treaty claims of individual iwi and hapü, and supporting Crown negotiations and the consideration of applications made under the foreshore and seabed legislation.

The policy services agreed with the Minister will include:

• policy analysis and advice, and the provision of associated legislative advice
• advice on the implementation of Government policy
  
• the capacity to react quickly and provide support for the Minister in Cabinet Committees, including relevant briefings on significant issues and evaluation of policy initiatives with relevance to the Government’s outcomes for fisheries management
  
• conducting consultation processes with sector stakeholders, government agencies and the public
  
• initial promulgation of government policy, where such communication is separate from ongoing implementation
  
• oral and written briefings and preparation of speech notes.

Expected Results	Actual Performance
The quantity and nature of the specific services to be provided by the Fisheries Policy group in 2007/08 will be supplied on the basis agreed between the Minister of Fisheries (the Minister) and the Chief Executive of the Ministry. Timeframes for specific services will be agreed between the Minister and the Chief Executive of the Ministry (amended as necessary by agreement during the year). Advice will be delivered within the agreed and/or statutory timeframes so that Ministers have sufficient time to consider the issues and take appropriate action.	During the year, the Ministry provided advice and briefing papers on the following work areas: Aquaculture Legislation Aquaculture settlement Environmental certification Foreshore and seabed Treaty settlements Customary fishing regulations Shared fisheries Cost recovery Freshwater fisheries Oceans policy Amendments to section 13 of the Fisheries Act 1996 Deemed values
All reports will comply with the Ministry’s quality standards for analysis and advice outlined in this document.	The Ministry believes that all quality policy standards have been met.
Reporting at agreed intervals during the year will enable the Minister to assess actual performance in output delivery against those expectations. The Minister will be formally requested, at agreed intervals during the year, to indicate his or her level of satisfaction with the overall quality of the outputs produced based on these standards. The monitoring approach (above) provides for development of more specific effectiveness measures.	All substantive Policy group briefings included a quality assessment check sheet seeking the Minister’s feedback. The Minister has advised that he will make comments on the paper regarding the quality if necessary, but that otherwise his signature indicates his approval of the content and quality of the paper.

International Fisheries Policy Advice Provided

Services to be provided

The Ministry’s International team provides the following services in order to further New Zealand’s fisheries policy objectives and interests internationally:

Policy advice

Policy advice is provided to the Minister on a broad range of international fisheries issues including the development of international principles and standards to promote the sustainable use of fisheries resources, New Zealand’s negotiating position in regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs), and the advancement of New Zealand’s fisheries interests multilaterally and bilaterally. Much of this advice is developed in consultation and collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for provision to joint Ministers.

Key policy issues include Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported (IUU) fishing, protection of marine biodiversity on the high seas, fisheries management and allocation issues within RFMOs, and the performance of RFMOs. Advice is often centred around New Zealand’s negotiating position on key issues in advance of international fisheries meetings, and the seeking of endorsement and direction from Ministers in advance of those meetings.

Representing New Zealand

Following endorsement of New Zealand’s policy positions, the International team actively engages in multilateral forums such as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, World Trade Organization and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development to negotiate improved principles and standards to promote the sustainable use of fisheries resources. International plays a lead role in negotiations in RFMOs (CCAMLR, CCSBT, WCPFC, SPRFMO) to ensure sustainable use and secure access for the New Zealand fishing sector. International staff also represent New Zealand in bilateral fisheries discussions and negotiations, including in the context of bilateral cooperation arrangements and trade access negotiations for New Zealand fisheries products.

Outcomes of discussions and negotiations will be reported back to Ministers at the conclusion of significant international meetings, including the extent to which New Zealand’s primary objectives were met. While New Zealand delegations have limited ability to control the outcomes of international meetings, the extent to which New Zealand has been able to influence the outcomes of those meetings will be reflected in the report back.

Capacity development with Pacific Island countries

The International team leads and coordinates the Ministry’s input into capacity building work with Pacific Islands countries, including work with the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA). The Ministry’s Capacity Development Framework sets out how the Ministry works with Pacific Island countries with a focus on Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau and Tonga, including the aim of establishing enduring relationships between the Ministry and fisheries departments in those countries to assist in long term cooperation. The team works closely with NZAID on the fisheries-related aspects of New Zealand’s overseas development assistance (ODA) to Pacific Island countries.

 

Expected Results	Actual Performance
All briefing papers and reports to the Minister will comply with the Ministry’s quality standards for analysis and advice. The Minister will be formally requested, at agreed intervals during the year, to indicate his or her level of satisfaction with the overall quality of the outputs produced based on these standards. Whenever possible, advice papers will be provided at least two weeks in advance of international meetings to ensure that Ministers have sufficient time to consider the issues and make the necessary decisions. Reporting at agreed intervals during year will enable the Minister to assess actual performance in output delivery against expectations.	Briefing papers were provided on a range of issues including: The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission for the 4th annual meeting in Guam. The Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna for the annual meeting in October 2007. The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources on amendments to the permit to fish in Antarctic waters. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization on the draft text of a legally binding Port State Measures Agreement to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.
It is expected that the International team will represent New Zealand’s interests at approximately 20 multilateral or regional meetings of three days to two weeks duration, annually.	The Ministry represented New Zealand interests in a series of multilateral and regional issues covering: Fisheries subsidies. Establishment of the South Pacific Regional Fisheries Organisation. A Performance Review of the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna. New conservation measures concerning bottom fishing and the closure of fisheries.
Capacity building initiatives with Pacific Island countries will be conducted in accordance with the Ministry’s Capacity Development Framework (which includes monitoring and evaluation provisions) and, where finalised, under the terms of high-level cooperation arrangements between the Ministry and its Pacific Island counterparts. Feedback will be sought, both from the countries and/or agencies themselves and from NZAID, on the extent to which the Ministry’s capacity building work is achieving positive results and contributing to desired outcomes.	The Ministry hosted two Cook Islands officials on a two week policy attachment as part of the NZAID funded Cook Islands Marine Resources Institutional Strengthening Project. Provided input into the development of a Regional Monitoring Control and Surveillance Strategy. The Ministry held a workshop with Polynesian officials and industry figures on “Generating economic benefits from sustainable fisheries”. The workshop identified the benefits of closer cooperation between New Zealand and Pacific Island States.

Ministerial services provided

Services to be provided

This service includes the drafting of reports and advice to Ministers and to Select and Cabinet Committees, replies to ministerial correspondence and responses to Parliamentary questions.

Expected Results		Actual Results
The percentage of ministerial drafts provided to the Minister without error where error could have been avoided will be	95%	365 Ministerial draft replies provided: 53 required redraft due to avoidable error	85%
The percentage of draft ministerial replies completed within 15 working days of receipt unless specified as urgent will be not less than	95%	365 Ministerial draft replies requested for reply within the standard 15 working days: 356 delivered on time	98%
The percentage of draft responses to Parliamentary questions provided for the Minister’s signature without error where error could have been avoided will be	100%	15 urgent Ministerial draft replies requested: 15 delivered on time.	100%
The percentage of responses to oral Parliamentary questions delivered on time	100%	85 Parliamentary questions received (2 oral, 83 written): 80 answers provided free of error.	94%
The percentage of responses to written Parliamentary questions delivered on time	100%	8 urgent draft replies requested, 7 provided on time. 1 draft provided 1 day late.	88%
The percentage of urgent replies completed within 5 days	100%	39 Cabinet and Committee papers provided: 39 provided on time. This figure includes select Committee reports provided.	99%
Advice and reports to Select Committees and Cabinet Committees will be in accordance with prescribed requirements, error free and on time	100%	39 Cabinet and Committee papers provided: 39 provided free of avoidable error.	100%