Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2000

• Our Vision
• Chief Executive's Overview
• Key Achievements
• 1999/2000 Financial Performance
• References

Annual Report for the Year Ended 30 June 2000

Output Class Service Performance

Output Class D5 Enforcement of Fisheries Policies

Description

Under this output class the Minister of Fisheries purchases services and processes that promote compliance with fisheries laws and lead to detection of those involved in illegal fisheries activities.

Objectives

The objectives of this output class are to:

• achieve the highest level of voluntary compliance with fisheries laws; and
• deter non-compliance

Scope

The outputs in the Enforcement output class are:

• Monitoring programmes: are conducted for the purpose of confirming compliance with fisheries laws or detecting offences. A compliance monitoring programme:
• is a collection of related compliance activities aimed at achieving a specified objective;
• must be planned;
• will be routine in nature (eg, vessel inspection, LFR Inspection, Dealer in Fish
• Inspection, shore patrol and aerial surveillance programmes);
• must involve at least 10 person days; and
• must be fully documented and debriefed.
• Offence Detection: is the investigation of an individual(s) or organisation(s) where there is sufficient reason to believe an illegal activity has taken place. It covers targeted activities such as investigations and investigative examination focused on collecting and collating evidence and preparing the case file on which the decision to prosecute or not will be based.
• Education and information services relating to New Zealand fisheries.

Achievements during the year

Monitoring

Monitoring plans have been completed for each output within each district. Compliance staff responsible for those plans have completed debriefs on the results achieved against those plans for the financial year.

34 fisheries surveillance flights were conducted by RNZAF and all were fully briefed. Of the 34 patrols conducted for the year, 22 were specifically EEZ patrols. The other 12 were patrols up into the Pacific (Norpats), into the Ross Sea, or in transit to and from Australia which also patrolled the EEC or its approaches.

4 substantive audits undertaken.

The Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) was used to monitor all registered New Zealand fishing vessels as specified in Regulations, and those vessels operating outside New Zealand fisheries waters under special approvals. VMS has been used to initiate or support at least nine operations conducted by the Compliance Business.

The Ministry did not meet the requirement to log and analyse 80 percent of the licensed fish receiver returns by 30 November. As at that date, only 53 percent of returns had been received. By 30 June 2000, 93 per cent of LFR returns had been filed. Of the returns filed, 100 per cent have been subject to a quality assurance review by MFish.

Offence Detection

46 operations have been completed. All cases complied with policy requirements.

Enforcement systems and processes

This was subsumed into the major project for developing the systems and processes for implementing the Fisheries Act 1996.

Education and Information Services

Seven recreational fisheries educational programmes were completed during the year.

The South Island customary fisheries compliance contract with Ngai Tahu has been renewed.

Extensive consultation/liaison with iwi in North Island has been undertaken.

Educational plans have been completed for each of the four districts within the southern region. This involved publicity on local radio and in newspapers, numerous presentations to schools and other organisations, the use of the Compliance education caravan, and education using the Honorary Fisheries Officer (HFO) and FishCare Volunteer networks.

Contracts with Ngai Tahu, Te Atiawa, Ngati Toa and Hauraki were all on offer at the end of June. MFish had signed the contracts and was waiting for signed copies to be returned from the iwi organisations. A contract with Ngati Kahungunu has not been renewed but discussions are continuing.

There are a number of educational projects which have been commenced in association with iwi groups. These will be ongoing for 2000/2001.

Each district and region has developed a customary plan. Discussion with iwi on compliance requirements is ongoing.

Financial Performance

Output Class D6 Prosecution of Offences

Under this output class the Minister of Fisheries purchases services relating to the prosecution of offences detected against fisheries laws.

Objectives

The objectives of this output class are to:

• achieve the highest level of voluntary compliance with fisheries laws; and
• effectively deter non-compliance via prosecutions

Scope

There are three outputs in the output class. These are:

• Case management: All activities relating to the management of specific cases for prosecution.
• Management of seized and forfeit property: Management of seized and forfeit property resulting from investigations and cases, including storage, maintenance and disposal.
• Prosecution processes and systems: Development of prosecution systems and processes to support the Fisheries Act 1996.

Achievements during the year

Case Management

This covers all activities relating to the management of specific cases including advocacy of internal and external providers. It also includes managing technical support for cases.

All prosecutions have been initiated within statutory time limits.
Less than 5% of cases have been dismissed because a prima facie case has not been established.

90% of charges under Fisheries Act are successfully prosecuted

60% of cases brought under fisheries regulations are successfully prosecuted

The requirements of Court processes were achieved with:

• 95% of witnesses being available to the Court
• 95% of internal witnesses delivering the brief of evidence
• 90% of external witnesses delivering the brief of evidence.

Management of Seized and Forfeit Property

This output covers the management of seized and forfeit property resulting from investigations and cases including storage, maintenance and disposal.

All evidence and forfeit property was maintained in secure conditions.

All forfeit property was disposed of in accordance with the Minister's directions and within specified timeframes.

Prosecution Processes and Systems

This was subsumed into the major project for developing the systems and processes for implementing the Fisheries Act 1996.

Financial Performance